Introduction
In our last London article, I created my perfect 5-day travel plan. What I, as a local, would recommend in my own hometown. And you all seemed to find that useful. Well, almost all. But your overall enthusiasm for that blog has sparked this mini sequel. So in this article, I’ll be going over some of my other favourite, lesser-known hotspots around London.
Local tips with a few hidden gems thrown in, there will almost certainly be something on this list you haven’t thought of, but definitely should if you have the extra time. If strolling around canals, getting lost in London’s very own mini forest, visiting Harry Potter film locations, and a lift that sings to you… (SINGING HIGHER NOTES RISING) All sounds like your cup of tea, then stay with us.
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Be a Local London Tourist
1. Spitalfields Market
Situated in the East End of London, Spitalfields Market hosts a trendy melting pot of independent traders, bringing together a wide range of designers and artists. If you’re looking for a souvenir a little more unique than this, then Spitalfields is a good place to start, with handcrafted pieces, homewares, and original artworks, along with a mixture of contemporary and vintage clothing.
Starting life in an empty field 800 years ago, the market has always kept up with the times, with a recent regeneration creating what you see here today.
Once you’ve finished market hopping, Spitalfields also boasts an impressive selection of tasty grub. Although Borough Market is my favourite London market, which I covered in my previous video, Spitalfields is a close second. It branches beyond food, with a younger, more dynamic vibe. And if you know me well by now, you know that I am indeed down with the kids.
As with most things I’ll discuss in this video, I’ve included more details about Spitalfields Market in the description below. I’ve also included our social media links so you can follow us as we discover London and the rest of the world live as it happens.
2. Little Venice
Next is an area I avoided for years but have recently come around on. Naming an area Little Venice is a very quick way to make me don my sceptical British hat and dismiss this marketing naming as nonsense. And while you should very much understand that Little Venice should, in truth, be called… it does actually offer a peaceful oasis. Starting near Warwick Avenue tube station, you have the choice of a shorter stroll towards Paddington Station or a longer, roughly 2-mile canal meander towards Camden Lock. Again, I have linked to a website below with a full map of the walk.
Walking past residential homes, cafes, bars, wildlife, and more, you’ll also have the option to ride some of the canal boats if you prefer the even more leisurely approach. It might not be Venice, but it certainly won’t feel like London.
3. Guided Walks & Harry Potter Film Locations
One of the first touristy things I did in London 15 years ago was a tour-guided walk. Whilst the typical sightseeing buses are a good way to cover lots of ground quickly, London will always be best discovered on foot. There are numerous tour-guided walks throughout the city, some of which are free (and you can Google for yourself), but the company I’ve used and always have enjoyed is London Walks.
Over the years, I have been on Ghost Walks, Jack the Ripper Walks, historical walks, and, as filmed here, a Harry Potter Film Locations Walk. Starting in the City, our guide talked us through the areas thought to have inspired JK Rowling’s magical world. From there, we quickly went on to the original Diagon Alley and the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
As an aside, if you are in the City of London, then Leadenhall Market is a great thing to see in itself, boy wizard or no boy wizard. Built by Horace Jones, his next project after this was Tower Bridge, so he was on to something of a roll here.
Now, I’m not specifically putting this Harry Potter walk on my list here, but instead pointing out that London really comes alive when told through the words of a guide right in front of you. London Walks have so many varied tours happening each day, there will probably be something that fits your location and interest. Even on this Harry Potter walk, there was lots of extra London history included, and it helps you notice all the little details that go into making a 2,000-year-old city.
4. Southbank Centre & Royal Festival Hall
On my last London video, I glanced over the Southbank without much detail. So here, I want to highlight something which is a bit of a hidden gem in the list of rooftop bars. Rooftop bars in London sound like a great idea but are often overcrowded and expensive, requiring advanced booking or a long queue before you can even start to enjoy them.
Enter the Southbank Centre and Royal Festival Hall. This music hall opened in 1951 for the nationwide Festival of Britain. In part, this was a post-war celebration trying to…
A particular highlight along the way is to take a ride in its singing lift. Going from a deep voice on the basement level… (DEEP SINGING VOICE RAISING PITCH) …to a high soprano on the 6th… (SINGING GETTING HIGHER).
Sometimes, I find myself having “just one more go,” like a mad child on Space Mountain. The lift also has more Twitter followers than me, which is something I’m certainly not bitter about. But it’s on the 5th floor that you find the unheard happening in London: a bar, a balcony, and a view with plenty of space to enjoy it.
And just behind the Festival Hall, away from the River Thames and therefore very easy to miss, is an occasional food market. If you are in the area and don’t want to eat at a chain restaurant, it’s worth checking if it’s open for a quick, tasty bite.
5. King’s Road, Chelsea
Next is King’s Road in Chelsea, a long stretch with a mix of fashionable boutiques, designer shops, and high-street staples, alongside a range of eateries. The name King’s Road comes from King Charles II, who used this as his own private road to travel to Kew. Fast forward to the swinging 60s, it then became synonymous with mod culture and mini skirts, and then later with hippies and punk.
I’m not quite sure what it is about King’s Road that I like so much, since it is basically just a row of shops. But I think it’s that, in terms of shopping, it feels more local, unique, and authentic than, say, Bond or Oxford Street. There’s yet another mini food market here, there’s the Saatchi Gallery (which features contemporary art), multi-pastel-coloured houses, and also the place where Chiaki and I got married! Oh, and there’s also apparently, erm, wizards.
6. Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is so lovely, I’m actually thinking of doing a standalone video just on this one area. Upon exiting Hampstead Tube Station, you’re immediately welcomed with this quaint English neighbourhood vibe. Wandering around its numerous streets, passageways, side streets, alleys, and other things that all mean the same, you can spend a good hour or two just meandering and taking it all in.
After leaving Flask Walk, make a gentle beeline towards Hampstead Heath itself. And while along the way, make sure you enjoy the houses that you’ll never be able to afford.
Walking through Hampstead Heath is probably the furthest away from London that you’ll feel whilst still being in London. Once the greenery surrounds you on all sides, it’s easy to forget that there are 8 million people beyond those trees.
A trip to Hampstead is not complete without reaching the summit from Parliament Hill, offering the best wide-angle view of the city. And if you’re feeling spontaneous, and especially if the weather is good, then why not end your visit with a spot of swimming in a Hampstead Heath Bathing Pond?
7. The British Museum
In my previous London video, I suggested the Natural History Museum as my favourite museum to visit. If you still want more, then the British Museum is a great choice. Opened to the public in 1759, it is the first national public museum in the world. Entry was free and given to ‘all studious and curious Persons’. Nowadays, it’s just open to “all persons”. It probably helps keep attendance.
Once inside, and before you see anything old, you will see something relatively new. Opened in 2000, the Great Court is the largest covered public square in Europe and is a site in itself. Beyond this, the Museum houses an unrivalled collection of relics from all over the world, with the actual Rosetta Stone being one of its many highlights.
8. Hays Galleria & More London Walk
If you are near London Bridge, then Hays Galleria marks the start of a nice little walking route I’ve enjoyed many times over. The Galleria reveals itself beautifully when coming from Tooley Street. Housing an assortment of shops, cafes, and traders, it’s often a quiet oasis for a pit stop.
Heading out from under the roof, you’ll be met with some great views of the City of London and the HMS Belfast, a Second World War battleship which acts as a floating museum.
Walking further east will bring you to an open area known as More London or London Bridge City. Considering this is ultimately a place for financial companies and City Hall, it’s a pretty great place, with a number of events happening mostly over the summer months.
This is also the best spot to get THAT photo with Tower Bridge.
Bringing us back full circle towards London Bridge is a walk down More London Place, a long, narrow path lined with modern glass offices. This so far doesn’t seem too interesting, but as you walk down, I love how the design of this street is positioned so that one side points towards The Shard (the UK’s tallest building), whilst the other side points directly to Tower Bridge. It’s a great little photo spot and a unique piece of town planning.
Closing & Call to Action
If this is your first visit to Sky Garden London, please check out our UK and London playlist. We have numerous article guides that help you discover London’s best sights and must-visit dining, including brunch hotspots, cake cafes, and more.
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