Living in the UK and spending countless weekends wandering through London has taught me one important lesson: this city is more than Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. The tourist crowds often stay in the same places, snapping photos and rushing through itineraries. But London is a layered city, filled with tucked-away treasures that reveal themselves when you’re willing to step just a little off the beaten path. I’ve made it my mission to discover these places, not as a checklist, but as experiences that leave a lasting impression.
What I want to share here are ten of my favorite lesser-known spots, each with its own soul. Some are quiet corners that made me stop in my tracks, others are spaces bursting with creativity, food, or history that often go unnoticed. I’ll give you the details: names, addresses, what makes them special, how much they cost, and where you can book tickets. More importantly, I’ll tell you how they made me feel, because traveling isn’t just about logistics—it’s about the emotional footprints these places leave behind.
1. Daunt Books, Marylebone
Location: 83 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4QW
The first time I walked into Daunt Books, I wasn’t looking for it. I was wandering around Marylebone, one of those afternoons when I let my feet take me wherever they wanted. Suddenly, I found myself standing before this Edwardian shop front with tall glass windows. Inside, I was transported. The oak galleries, the long skylights, the smell of books—it felt like stepping into an old library.
Daunt Books isn’t just a bookstore. It’s a temple for travelers. Every section is arranged by country, not by genre. In “Italy,” for example, you’ll find history, novels, cookbooks, and travel guides all together. It made me feel like the world was laid out in front of me, ready to explore. I spent an hour just standing there, running my fingers along spines, imagining journeys I hadn’t taken yet.
Cost: Free to enter. Books range from £10–£25 depending on the edition.
Booking platform: No ticket needed. But if you’re planning other activities in Marylebone, GetYourGuide often bundles walking tours that pass by Daunt Books.
Travel tip: Visit during weekday mornings—it’s peaceful, almost like having the shop to yourself. Afterward, I usually stop at a nearby café I find via OpenTable for a quiet breakfast.
2. Eel Pie Island
Location: Twickenham, London TW1 (accessible via a footbridge from Twickenham Embankment)
If the name doesn’t intrigue you, the story will. Eel Pie Island is one of those places you don’t stumble upon—you have to know it exists. It’s a private island on the Thames, once famous for its jazz and blues club in the 1960s. Today, it’s home to a quirky artist community.
I remember my first visit during one of their rare “open days.” Walking across the bridge, I felt like I was entering a secret society. The narrow paths led me past eccentric studios, where sculptors, painters, and craftspeople worked with doors wide open. I chatted with an elderly artist who showed me sculptures made from driftwood collected along the Thames. It felt raw, authentic, and wonderfully eccentric.
Cost: Free entry during open weekends, though donations are encouraged. Art pieces for sale range widely in price.
Booking platform: Open days are announced on the island’s website. For getting there, I often use Trainline to book trains to Twickenham.
Travel tip: Bring cash if you want to support artists directly. And check schedules carefully—the island is only open a few weekends a year.
3. Postman’s Park
Location: King Edward St, London EC1A 7BT
In the heart of the city, surrounded by office blocks, lies Postman’s Park. I discovered it almost by accident on a lunch break. At first glance, it looks like a typical pocket park, but then I saw the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. This Victorian wall is covered with ceramic plaques honoring ordinary people who died saving others.
Standing there, I felt humbled. Stories like “Mary Rogers, stewardess, who gave up her life jacket to save a passenger” stare back at you. It’s haunting and beautiful at the same time. Unlike the grandeur of war memorials, this one is deeply human.
Cost: Free.
Booking platform: None required, though you can pair this with a walking tour from Tiqets focusing on Victorian London.
Travel tip: It’s a quiet place best appreciated alone. Take a book, sit on a bench, and let the city rush around you while you reflect.
4. Wilton’s Music Hall
Location: 1 Graces Alley, Whitechapel, London E1 8JB
Walking into Wilton’s Music Hall is like stepping into another century. Tucked away in East London, it’s the world’s oldest surviving music hall. The building looks almost derelict from the outside, but inside it holds a soul that no modern theatre could replicate.
I went there for a folk music concert, and the cracked plaster walls, creaky wooden floors, and intimate candlelit tables made it unforgettable. It’s shabby in the most enchanting way—imperfections that carry history. The acoustics amplify every note; the space itself feels like part of the performance.
Cost: Tickets range from £15–£40 depending on the performance.
Booking platform: Official site, or third-party ticket sellers like Eventbrite and Tiqets.
Travel tip: Arrive early and grab a drink at the Mahogany Bar inside—it’s like drinking in a Dickens novel.
5. Epping Forest
Location: Extends from northeast London into Essex
Sometimes London overwhelms me. When it does, I head to Epping Forest. Sprawling over 6,000 acres, it feels like escaping into another world. I once spent an autumn afternoon here, the ground covered in orange leaves, the smell of damp earth filling the air.
I rented a bike from a local shop and cycled until I lost track of time. At one point, I stopped by a pond where swans glided silently—it felt surreal to know I was still technically in London.
Cost: Free to explore. Bike rentals around £20/day.
Booking platform: For transport, I use TfL journey planner or Trainline for suburban rail.
Travel tip: Bring snacks and water. The forest is vast, and once you’re deep inside, there are no shops or cafés.
6. Leighton House Museum
Location: 12 Holland Park Rd, London W14 8LZ
This is one of my favorite museums in London, and almost no one I meet has heard of it. The former home of Victorian painter Frederic Leighton, the house itself is a masterpiece. The highlight is the Arab Hall, with its golden dome, intricate mosaics, and Islamic tiles collected from Syria.
Walking inside, I was stunned into silence. The contrast between the dull residential street outside and the opulent interiors is shocking. I’ve visited three times, and every time I find myself discovering new details in the tiles, the light, the layout.
Cost: £11 for adults. Discounts available.
Booking platform: Official website or Tiqets.
Travel tip: Combine your visit with a walk through nearby Holland Park. Springtime is magical with cherry blossoms.
7. God’s Own Junkyard
Location: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, London E17 9HQ
Imagine a warehouse glowing with neon signs, every color blasting your senses. That’s God’s Own Junkyard. It’s a wonderland of neon art—old signs from Soho clubs, film props, custom creations.
The first time I entered, I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s outrageous, tacky, dazzling—all at once. My favorite corner was filled with old Hollywood neon pieces, buzzing softly. There’s even a café inside where you can sip coffee surrounded by glowing words and symbols.
Cost: Free entry.
Booking platform: No tickets required. Check Instagram for opening hours.
Travel tip: Take the Overground to Walthamstow Central. Bring a good camera—the photo opportunities are endless.
8. Little Venice
Location: Near Warwick Avenue, London W9
I love water, and in London, Little Venice is my escape. Picture narrowboats lined along canals, willow trees dipping into the water, and cafés floating gently on boats. I often come here on quiet mornings, sipping coffee by the canal, watching locals walk their dogs.
One summer, I took a boat ride from Little Venice to Camden Market. Drifting along the canal, passing through Regent’s Park, I felt like I was seeing London from a secret angle.
Cost: Free to walk. Boat rides around £12–£15.
Booking platform: Book canal boat rides via GetYourGuide or London Waterbus Company.
Travel tip: Visit in late spring when flowers bloom along the water. It’s less crowded than Camden and much more peaceful.
9. Seven Noses of Soho
Location: Scattered around Soho, London W1
This one is pure fun. Artist Rick Buckley installed sculpted noses on buildings around Soho as a protest in the 1990s. Some remain, hidden like Easter eggs.
One rainy afternoon, I joined a “nose hunt” with a friend. Armed with clues from an online map, we roamed Soho’s streets, pointing excitedly whenever we spotted one. It felt childish and hilarious, but also gave me a chance to notice architectural details I would have otherwise ignored.
Cost: Free.
Booking platform: No ticket needed. Guided tours via GetYourGuide often include this quirky treasure hunt.
Travel tip: Do this with friends—it’s much more fun laughing together when you find one stuck on a random wall.
10. Highgate Cemetery
Location: Swain’s Ln, London N6 6PJ
I hesitated before visiting a cemetery, but Highgate is unlike any other. Divided into East and West sections, it’s famous for its Victorian Gothic architecture and overgrown atmosphere. Walking through, ivy curling around tombs, angels tilting with age, I felt a haunting beauty.
I joined a guided tour of the West Cemetery. The guide told stories of people buried there, from writers to revolutionaries. The silence, the atmosphere—it was moving.
Cost: East Cemetery £4.50, West guided tours around £10.
Booking platform: Official Highgate Cemetery website.
Travel tip: Wear good shoes—the ground is uneven. Morning visits are best for photography.
Booking Flights, Hotels, and More
Whenever I plan these little adventures, I rely on a few platforms:
- Skyscanner for finding cheap flights into London (especially when friends visit).
- Booking.com and Airbnb for accommodation—staying near zones 1–2 makes exploring easier.
- OpenTable for restaurant reservations, which is invaluable after a long day of walking.
- GetYourGuide and Tiqets for tickets to museums, guided tours, and attractions.
- Trainline for booking rail tickets to places like Twickenham or Epping Forest.
These tools make the logistics smooth, so I can focus on the experiences themselves.
My Reflections
Every one of these places gave me something different: awe in Leighton House, laughter in Soho, serenity in Little Venice, and humility in Postman’s Park. Together, they make up the London that I love—quirky, hidden, layered, alive.
When I look back at my weekends wandering the city, it’s these moments, not the postcard landmarks, that I cherish most.
