12 Underrated Places in London That Deserve to Be on Your Bucket List

London completely stole my heart the moment I stepped off the train at King’s Cross. While Big Ben and Buckingham Palace get all the glory, the real London magic happens in neighborhoods like Hampstead, where I spent an entire afternoon wandering leafy streets, popping into cozy pubs, and pretending I could actually afford to live there.

I still dream about the morning I spent exploring Columbia Road Flower Market, coffee in hand, surrounded by locals haggling over lavender bunches and potted herbs. These quieter corners showcase some of the best places in London that tourists typically rush past. After multiple visits to this incredible city, I’ve compiled 12 amazing spots that deserve your attention. Each one captures the authentic character of London that made me fall head over heels for this vibrant metropolis.

Must-Visit Places in London

Looking to uncover London’s hidden gems? Beyond the iconic landmarks, the city offers plenty of lesser-known treasures waiting to be explored. Wander through the Leighton House Museum, a stunning example of Victorian art and architecture. Marvel at the Sky Garden, offering panoramic views of the city. 

Stroll the charming streets of Little Venice, rich with canals and cafes. Whether you’re into art, views, or unique neighborhoods, here are 12 of London’s most underrated destinations!

1. Eel Pie Island

Dreaming of discovering a secret island where rock legends once played and artists now thrive? Eel Pie Island in Twickenham hosted The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd in its heyday. Today, this Thames Enclave remains one of London’s most enigmatic addresses. It’s accessible only by footbridge and houses a vibrant artists’ community.

Twice a year, local creatives open their studio doors. Visitors can glimpse their riverside workshops and unique art. The island features eclectic architecture with weathered boathouses and quirky cottages. I discovered hidden sculptures peeking from gardens while exploring its narrow paths.

Combine your visit with lunch at the Eel Pie Island Pub on the mainland. Browse vintage photos of the island’s legendary music scene while you eat. Located just a 10-minute walk from Twickenham Station, this Thames gem has a perfect escape from central London.

2. Kyoto Garden in Holland Park

Need a zen moment after too many London pints? Find your center in this immaculate Japanese oasis. The Kyoto Garden sits nestled in West London’s Holland Park between Kensington High Street and Notting Hill Gate stations. This 1991 Anglo-Japanese creation offers Eastern tranquility that stops first-time visitors in their tracks.

Stone lanterns guide your path around a koi-filled pond. A waterfall provides nature’s soundtrack while peacocks strut freely among perfectly pruned trees. The garden reveals new details with each season. Spring cherry blossoms give way to summer’s lush maple canopy before autumn ignites the foliage in fiery reds.

Visit weekday mornings before 10am for rare solitude in central London. I’ve never found a more peaceful spot to reset during a hectic London itinerary. Nearby, explore the equally enchanting Fukushima Memorial Garden, added in 2012.

3. Little Venice

Who needs Amsterdam’s canals when London has its own waterway wonderland without the tourist crowds? Little Venice in Maida Vale sits where Regent’s Canal meets the Grand Union. This charming intersection features tree-lined banks and colorful narrowboats just minutes from Paddington Station.

Floating businesses add unexpected delight to your visit. Grab coffee aboard the Waterside Café or catch an intimate puppet show at the Puppet Theatre Barge. The peaceful towpath connects to Camden Town via a scenic 45-minute stroll past elegant Regency houses and through Regent’s Park.

Summer evenings deliver pure magic when sunset paints the water gold. Canal-side pubs buzz with locals unwinding after work. I recommend booking a narrow boat tour to glide beneath low bridges while your guide reveals tales of the waterways’ industrial past.

4. Wilton’s Music Hall

Want to drink craft cocktails in the same spot where Victorian sailors once brawled over music hall dancers? Wilton’s Music Hall near Tower Hill station holds the title of world’s oldest surviving grand music hall. This East London gem narrowly escaped demolition multiple times since 1859.

The venue retains its deliberately distressed walls and original features. These elements create an atmospheric backdrop for today’s eclectic programming. Sip gin cocktails in the Mahogany Bar where sailors and local workers once drank. The intimate scale ensures performers remain close enough for eye contact from any seat.

Their diverse calendar features everything from opera to cabaret. Arrive early to explore hidden corners and piece together its remarkable survival story. I’ve never experienced acoustics quite like the ones in this perfectly preserved space. Located near Shadwell and Tower Hill stations.

5. The Seven Noses of Soho

How about a bizarre treasure hunt where success means touching someone else’s nose? The Seven Noses of Soho remain London’s quirkiest scavenger hunt. Artist Rick Buckley secretly installed these nose sculptures on buildings in 1997 as a protest against CCTV surveillance throughout the West End.

Start your search near Admiralty Arch, where the most famous nose protrudes at perfect height for a royal horse. Each nose sits at eye level but blends remarkably well into surroundings. Only the most attentive hunters spot them without hints. Local legend promises wealth to anyone who finds all seven.

Combine your nose hunt with stops at Bar Italia for espresso and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club for evening entertainment. I once spent an entire afternoon hunting these elusive protrusions. Find them between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square stations in this eternally buzzing district.

6. God’s Own Junkyard

Picture Vegas crashing into a warehouse after drinking too much British tea. Welcome to London’s most photogenic fever dream. God’s Own Junkyard glows in an unassuming Walthamstow industrial estate, 15 minutes from the Central Line. This neon wonderland houses the dazzling legacy of late artist Chris Bracey.

The collection showcases decades of salvaged signs and custom creations from Soho clubs and film sets like Blade Runner. Thousands of signs compete for attention in this relatively compact space. The family-run attraction includes the welcoming Rolling Scones Café for excellent cake and coffee.

Visit Friday through Sunday when the collection opens to the public. Sunday mornings typically offer the calmest experience. I recommend bringing a camera to capture endless compositions as colored light bounces off reflective surfaces. Afterward, explore neighboring craft breweries in the Ravenswood Industrial Estate.

7. Leighton House Museum

Ever wondered what happens when a Victorian artist obsessed with Middle Eastern aesthetics gets unlimited funds? Leighton House Museum in Kensington answers this question spectacularly. This extraordinary home served as both residence and creative showcase for 19th-century painter Frederic Leighton.

The breathtaking Arab Hall stands as the crown jewel. It features a golden dome, intricate mosaics, and authentic Islamic tiles collected during Leighton’s travels. His vast studio reveals north-facing windows strategically designed to capture perfect painting light. Recent restoration has returned the house to its original vivid colors.

Visit weekday afternoons for a more private experience. I spent hours admiring the smallest details of this Victorian artistic fantasy. Located between High Street Kensington and Notting Hill Gate stations, combine your visit with nearby Holland Park to maximize your western London exploration.

8. Postman’s Park

Where can you shed a tear between business meetings in the city? Postman’s Park offers emotional impact just minutes from St. Paul’s Cathedral. This tranquil garden takes its name from postal workers who once lunched here. Its true power comes from the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice.

Artist George Frederic Watts created this wall in 1900 to commemorate ordinary Londoners who died saving others. Read about a 12-year-old who drowned rescuing a friend and a maid who sacrificed herself in a house fire. Each ceramic plaque tells a complete story in remarkably few words.

The park offers leafy tranquility amid the city’s architectural giants. Film enthusiasts might recognize it from the movie “Closer.” I found myself returning repeatedly to read these moving Victorian tributes. Benches positioned for contemplative breaks make this the perfect midday reset during London sightseeing.

9. The Hill Garden and Pergola

What happens when a soap magnate with Gatsby-level wealth decides to create the ultimate garden party venue? The Hill Garden and Pergola in Hampstead Heath stands as a crumbling Edwardian masterpiece. Lord Leverhulme built this elevated walkway between 1905 and 1925 for extravagant social gatherings.

The structure stretches for hundreds of feet on weathered columns. Wisteria, climbing roses, and grape vines gradually reclaim the pergola. Views across the Heath reveal why London’s wealthy once considered these northern heights their summer playground. Photo opportunities multiply with each step.

Visit in late May for peak wisteria bloom or autumn for golden light filtering through the structure. The adjoining garden offers manicured hedges and reflecting pools. I felt transported to another era while wandering this forgotten aristocratic playground. Find it a 15-minute walk from Hampstead or Golders Green stations.

10. Abney Park Cemetery

Ready for a Victorian Gothic adventure where nature reclaims human monuments? Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington opened in 1840 as one of London’s “Magnificent Seven” garden cemeteries. Today, it stands as a hauntingly beautiful nature reserve just minutes from the Overground station.

Crumbling angels and tilting headstones emerge from woodland throughout the 32-acre site. The atmospheric Egyptian Revival Chapel at its center adds architectural intrigue as Europe’s oldest surviving non-denominational chapel. Notable residents include Salvation Army founder William Booth, whose tomb attracts visitors globally.

Paths wind unpredictably through this wilderness. The cemetery appears most atmospheric in early morning mist or late afternoon when shadows lengthen. I spent hours photographing stone figures partially consumed by ivy and lichen. This Gothic wonderland has contemplative walking and remarkable bird-watching opportunities.

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11. The Thames Path by Richmond

Want to experience the Thames that inspired Turner’s paintings rather than the one clogged with tourist boats? The Thames Path by Richmond offers London’s loveliest riverside walk. This remarkably peaceful stretch runs between Richmond Bridge and Ham House in southwest London.

The flat, well-maintained trail passes historic pubs like the White Cross. High tides sometimes temporarily strand drinkers here, creating memorable excuses for another round. Continue walking to encounter wild deer in Richmond Park or cross the footbridge to explore Kew Gardens.

Time your visit for sunset when golden light transforms the water. Richmond Hill provides a view so beautiful it’s protected by the Act of Parliament. I’ve watched herons fish along this stretch while rowers glide silently past. Accessible via Richmond station on the District Line and Overground.

12. Daunt Books for Travelers

Is there anything more satisfying than finding the perfect novel for your next destination in an Edwardian bookshop? Daunt Books in Marylebone occupies a purpose-built 1912 bookshop distinguished by its magnificent gallery. Oak balconies and a stunning stained-glass window bathe browsers in colored light.

Unlike standard bookstores, Daunt organizes its collection geographically. Fiction, history, and biography from each country share shelf space, creating inspired connections. Well-worn wooden floors creak pleasantly underfoot as you browse the long oak galleries. Staff recommendations never disappoint for your upcoming journeys.

Visit weekday mornings when locals drop in after school runs. I’ve spent entire afternoons discovering travel classics and contemporary fiction organized by destination rather than genre. Located near Bond Street and Baker Street stations, this literary haven proves physical bookshops still deliver unmatched experiences.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Hidden Gems in London

Are you searching for more content about where to go in London? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about the most underrated places in London.

What’s the best time of year to explore hidden gems in London?

Exploring London’s hidden gems is a year-round adventure, but spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. These seasons highlight the city’s natural beauty, making outdoor spots like the Kyoto Garden and Hampstead Heath Pergola even more enchanting.

Are there any fees associated with visiting these hidden gems in London?

Many of London’s hidden gems, including Postman’s Park and the Hill Garden and Pergola, are free to visit. Some places, like certain museums or galleries tucked away in the city, might have an admission fee. It’s always a good idea to check their official websites for the most up-to-date information.

How safe are these off-the-beaten-path locations in London?

London’s hidden gems are generally safe to explore. However, like in any big city, it’s wise to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re visiting quieter areas with fewer people around. During evening hours, stick to well-lit paths and consider exploring with a companion.

What travel tips do you have for someone wanting to discover hidden gems in London?

Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll likely be walking a lot, especially in areas like Eel Pie Island or along the Thames Path by Richmond. Carrying a lightweight raincoat is also advisable, given London’s unpredictable weather. Lastly, always have a charged phone for navigation and in case you need to look up travel information on the go.

Are these hidden gems in London accessible by public transport?

Yes, most of these hidden gems are accessible via the city’s extensive public transport network. Places like God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow can be reached by tube, while others, such as the serene canals of Little Venice, are just a short walk from nearby tube stations. Using an Oyster card or contactless payment option is the most efficient way to travel.

Do I need to book in advance to visit any of these underrated destinations in London?

For most outdoor and public spaces, no booking is required. However, if your exploration includes specific events, workshops, or tours within these hidden gems, it might be wise to book in advance. Always check the latest visitor information as policies can change based on the season or special events.

Final Thoughts on London’s Hidden Gems

Exploring London’s hidden spots uncovers a city full of surprises. From Kyoto Garden’s peaceful scenery to the historic vibes of Abney Park Cemetery, these places offer a different view of London, away from the usual sights.

Each spot has its own charm and story, showing that there’s always something new to discover. Whether you love history, nature, or books, London has secret spots that feel like a breath of fresh air compared to the usual tourist spots.

To really get the most out of these hidden gems, keep an open mind and stay curious. Many are free, so you can enjoy great experiences without spending a lot. Some might need a little extra effort to get to, but getting to know London on a deeper level is worth it.

So, the next time you’re in London, try something different. Explore London off the beaten path and discover these unique, overlooked, and the truly magical parts of the city. London, often celebrated as a great place to live in England, is full of discoveries, and its real charm is in the hidden corners with stories waiting to be told!