- 1️⃣ Neal's Yard and the colorful backstreets of Covent Garden
- 2️⃣ Leighton House Museum - an oriental residence in the heart of London
- 3️⃣ Eel Pie Island - the mysterious island of artists on the Thames
- 4️⃣ God's Own Junkyard - a neon paradise in Walthamstow
- 5️⃣ Daunt Books - a literary journey through time
- 6️⃣ Little Venice - a romantic enclave on the canals
- 7️⃣ Seven Noses of Soho - urban tracking game with a twist
- 8️⃣ Postman's Park - a quiet tribute to everyday heroes
London is a city full of icons - from the majestic Big Ben to Buckingham Palace and red buses. But the real magic of the place is often hidden away from the main attractions. Among the thousands of streets, courtyards and canals await lesser known, but extremely atmospheric places, which surprise, inspire and stay in the memory for a long time.
It is hidden gems They make sure London never gets boring - even if you're visiting for the umpteenth time. In this guide, we'll take you on a journey through such places - from a colorful corner in Covent Garden to a mysterious island in the Thames. Ready to experience a London you won't find in traditional guidebooks?
1️⃣ Neal's Yard and the colorful backstreets of Covent Garden
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Hidden between the buildings of bustling Covent Garden, Neal's Yard is a small, colorful courtyard full of charm and alternative atmosphere. It is the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city center and enjoy a cup of coffee or juice surrounded by greenery and artistic displays.
This small corner delights colorful facades, lush vegetation i intimate premises - From organic cafes to stores selling natural cosmetics. It's the perfect stop for a quick lunch, photo on Instagram Or simply a moment of respite.
During the visit:
🔹 Drink organic coffee at one of the local coffee shops
🔹 Take a picture of the colorful townhouses - This is one of the most "instagram-able" places in London
🔹 Visit Neal's Yard Remedies - famous natural cosmetics store
🔹 Sit for a while on one of the benches and feel the local, independent vibe of this part of the city
📍 Access: metro station Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) - 3 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 30-45 minutes. The best way to look into early afternoon, when the yard is bustling but not yet crowded.
2️⃣ Leighton House Museum - an oriental residence in the heart of London
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The hidden treasure of the Kensington district, Leighton House Museum is the former residence of Victorian painter Frederic Leighton, which impresses with its combination of art, architecture and exoticism. Outwardly inconspicuous, inside it hides a true masterpiece of design.
The interior of the residence combines Victorian splendor with oriental details - Mosaics, golden ceilings, fountains and ceramic tiles create a unique atmosphere. This is one of those places that transport visitors into a completely different world, without leaving London.
During the visit:
🔹 Delight in the Arabian Room - A stunning Middle Eastern-style room
🔹 Learn about the life and work of Frederic Leighton, admiring the original paintings
🔹 Pay attention to architectural details, which are second to none in London
🔹 Look into the garden, which quietly complements this extraordinary space
📍 Access: metro station Kensington (Olympia) - approx. 10 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1 hour. It's a good idea to book online in advance, especially on weekends.
3️⃣ Eel Pie Island - the mysterious island of artists on the Thames
Eel Pie Island is one of the most unusual places in London - the enclosed, private island located on the Thames in the Twickenham neighborhood. Although it remains off-limits to tourists most of the time, a few times a year it opens its doors, revealing the an extraordinary community of artists and their studios.
In the 1960s, the iconic Eel Pie Hotel, which was a mecca for blues and rock fans - performances included. The Rolling Stones, The Who i Pink Floyd. Today the island is a quiet haven with an alternative vibe, full of art, history and secrets.
During the visit:
🔹 Check the dates of Open Studios - is the only chance to enter the island
🔹 Visit the studios of local artists and buy unique handicrafts
🔹 Learn about the history of the Eel Pie Hotel and its musical heritage
🔹 Take a walk along the banks of the Thames, enjoying the views and the boats moored off the island
📍 Access: train station Twickenham - About a 10-minute walk to the bridge leading to the island
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1-1.5 hours (During open days). Check the dates in advance on the official website.
4️⃣ God's Own Junkyard - a neon paradise in Walthamstow
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God's Own Junkyard is one of the most surreal and colorful places in London. Tucked away in an industrial neighborhood Walthamstow, it gallery, workshop and neon sign store in one, filled to the ceiling with twinkling signs, retro advertisements and unique light installations.
Founded by artist Chris Bracy, the site connects the The art, pop culture and vibe of Las Vegas. You can find neon signs from movies, clubs, photo shoots, as well as author's works. This is a must-see spot not only for design fans, but also for the perfect backdrop for exceptional photos.
During the visit:
🔹 Marvel at hundreds of neon signs vintage and modern
🔹 Take unique photos in a fairy tale light
🔹 Visit The Rolling Scones Café on the gallery grounds
🔹 Learn the story of the Bracy family and their neon heritage
📍 Access: metro station Walthamstow Central (Victoria line) - about 10-12 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 45 minutes - 1 hour. Admission is free, but the place is open only on selected days (usually Friday-Sunday).
5️⃣ Daunt Books - a literary journey through time
Daunt Books is one of London's most beautiful bookstores, and also a real treat for book and architecture lovers. The main office at Marylebone High Street is housed in a historic Edwardian building dating back to 1910 and was designed specifically as a bookstore - something that is extremely rare today.
The interior delights wooden mezzanines, green lights and huge arched windows, through which soft light enters. Daunt Books specializes in travel literature, but you'll also find a great selection of novels, essays and children's books - all organized... by country, not genre.
During the visit:
🔹 Walk the galleries in a wooden interior, which looks like a library from the early 20th century
🔹 Buy a book about London as a souvenir of your trip
🔹 Stop for a moment in silence, away from the hustle and bustle of the city
📍 Access: metro station Baker Street or Regent's Park - approx. 7 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 30 minutes - 1 hour. Admission is free. Best to visit in the morning or just before closing, when it is quieter.
6️⃣ Little Venice - a romantic enclave on the canals
Little Venice is one of the most charming and underrated parts of London - the A network of canals, secluded paths and houses on the water, reminiscent of the atmosphere of Italian Venice. Located near Paddington, it is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, a barge cruise or a coffee by the water.
It's a real an oasis of calm in the city center, where instead of cars you will hear the splash of water, birds singing and the sounds of moored boats. The place is especially charming in spring and summer, when the canals are surrounded by greenery and flowers.
During the visit:
🔹 Take a barge cruise to Camden Town, passing the ZSL London Zoo, among others, on the way
🔹 Take a walk along Regent's Canal, as far as Maida Vale or King's Cross
🔹 Sit in cafes along the canal, such as at the Waterside barge-café
🔹 Observe the daily life of boat residents, which serve as their full-fledged homes
📍 Access: metro station Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) - approx. 3 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1-2 hours. It's best to visit when the weather is good - especially on weekends, when local events are held and tourist boats are running.
7️⃣ Seven Noses of Soho - urban tracking game with a twist
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Seven Noses of Soho is an unusual London attraction that combines city walk with an element of detective play. All over the Soho district, on the walls of buildings, hide... noses - realistic sculptures of noses cast in plaster and mounted in completely unobvious places.
The author of the project is an artist Rick Buckley, who in 1997 placed a dozen noses as a form of protest against surveillance (CCTV). Over time, some of them disappeared, but seven survived and has become a local legend. Apparently finding all seven brings good luck (and even wealth!).
During the visit:
🔹 Start your walk near Soho Square - there you will find one of the noses
🔹 Look carefully on facades and at entrances - some are very well hidden
🔹 Make it a game - who can find more noses first?
🔹 Learn the background of the project and urban legends associated with it
📍 Access: metro station Tottenham Court Road or Oxford Circus - A few minutes walk to Soho
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1-1.5 hours. The perfect activity for an afternoon walk with a touch of humor.
8️⃣ Postman's Park - a quiet tribute to everyday heroes
Postman's Park is a small, peaceful garden hidden between the skyscrapers of the City of London. Although easily overlooked, it hides a one of the most touching and original souvenirs of London - Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, or plaques commemorating ordinary people who died saving others.
The originator of this unusual monument was George Frederic Watts, who in 1900 created a project to honor the quiet heroes of everyday life - children, workers, passersby. Each tile tells a true story of courage and is handwritten in the careful style of the era.
During the visit:
🔹 Read the memory boards, each a moving mini-story
🔹 Sit on one of the benches, to rest in the shade of the trees and calm down
🔹 Take a picture by the covered gallery of boards - A unique example of Victorian ceramics
🔹 Consider how many heroes never make it to monuments, although they deserve to be remembered
📍 Access: metro station St. Paul's (Central line) - approx. 3 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 30-45 minutes. The park is open during the day and is great for a moment of reflection between intense sightseeing in the center.
9️⃣ Wilton's Music Hall - London's oldest music hall
Wilton's Music Hall is one of London's most precious cultural jewels - the The oldest surviving music hall in the world, still in operation today. Hidden among the narrow streets of the Whitechapel district, it combines the The charm of 19th century architecture with the atmosphere of an alternative art scene.
Since the mid-19th century, it has hosted comedy performances, concerts and... circus shows. Although over the years the building fell into disrepair, today after extensive renovation it is once again bustling with life - concerts, performances, workshops and film screenings are organized here.
During the visit:
🔹 Step inside to see the original wooden balconies and period scene
🔹 Book a ticket for an evening performance or concert, to feel the magic of this place
🔹 Take a look at the local bar - serves drinks in an atmospheric, theatrical interior
🔹 Learn about the history of the hall through free brochures or short guided tours
📍 Access: metro station Tower Hill or Aldgate East - approx. 10 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: 30 minutes (free admission during bar opening hours) or 2-3 hours, if you go to an art event.
🔟Camden Passage - retro vibe and antiques in the heart of Islington
Camden Passage is a charming cobblestone street in the Islington neighborhood, full of small antique stores, vintage boutiques and atmospheric cafes. Although it lies just steps away from the bustling Upper Street, the atmosphere here is quite different - quiet, somewhat nostalgic and very photogenic.
It's the perfect place to spend a lazy morning, searching for original souvenirs or browsing through books and vinyl records in small stores that look like they've stopped in time.
During the visit:
🔹 Browse antique and vintage stores - you can come across real gems
🔹 Take a look at Camden Passage Market, if you hit a trading day
🔹 Have a coffee at one of the garden cafes, surrounded by old signs
🔹 Take pictures of sites and facades - this place looks great any time of the year
📍 Access: metro station Angel (Northern line) - approx. 3 minutes walk
🕐 Tour time: ca. 45 minutes - 1.5 hours, depending on how much you love the old and quiet corners
🧭 How to explore London off the beaten track?
London is not only Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the British Museum. It is also Hundreds of hidden backstreets, local histories and unobvious places, which often elude tourists. If you want to really feel the atmosphere of the city and explore its lesser-known face - all it takes is a little curiosity and openness.
Here are some tips for finding hidden gems in London:
🔹 Get lost on purpose - Go away from the main streets and turn into an inconspicuous alley
🔹 Talk to residents - they are the ones who know best the real treasures of their area
🔹 Follow local events and temporary exhibitions - many of them take place in unusual spaces
🔹 Use lesser-known apps and travel blogs - there you will find tips absent from guidebooks
🔹 Visit neighborhoods outside the center, such as Hackney, Walthamstow, Deptford and Peckham - are teeming with life and creativity
📸 Pro Tip: Always have your camera or smartphone with you - you never know when you will come across a place that will delight you. And London really has many such moments.
🏁 Summary
London is a city of endless possibilities - not only for those visiting Tower Bridge or the British Museum for the first time, but also for those who want to get off the beaten track. Hidden gemssuch as colorful Neal's Yard, mystical Eel Pie Island whether full of the neon glow of God's Own Junkyard, show a completely different, more personal face of the British capital.
It is in such places that we feel local rhythm of the city, its history, the passion of its residents and its artistic soul. Discovering them is not only a great adventure, but also a way to get to know London more deeply - without the crowds, but with an authentic atmosphere.
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