5 Hidden Gems To Visit In London

Posted on February 10 2021

When it comes to tourist hotspots, London is often top of the list. It’s the most visited city in Europe and is the third most visited city in the world! And for good reason. With iconic sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Kew Gardens, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the River Thames and some of the most highly revered restaurants in the world, there’s a LOT for visitors to see and do!

5 Hidden Gems In London | berrysweetlife.com

With so much ground to cover, most people aim to take in the bucket list classics listed above, but London has much more to offer than just the sights that double-decker buses cover.

If you’re looking to go to London, but want to head off the beaten track and experience the lesser-known gems the city has to offer, keep reading for 5 Hidden Gems To Visit In London.

Not only are these activities great for adults, but kids will enjoy them too, making them a great addition to a family holiday.

I’m well aware that travel is at best “difficult” at the moment, and at worst, not possible at all. But I wanted to keep the travel bug in all of us alive by sharing some travel inspiration for when things normalise. Because, as with everything, this too shall pass.

AND WE SHALL VENTURE OUT INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN AGAIN.

More excited than ever, and more appreciative of all that the world has to offer. SO…

Here are the best 5 Hidden Gems To Visit in London:

1. Kyoto Gardens

Located in West London, Kyoto Gardens is nestled within Holland House’s ruins.

Holland House was built over 400 years ago in 1605. Back then it was called Cope Castle and was a home base for the mega rich and powerful, housing some of the most prominent diplomats and families.

The house was destroyed in the Blitz in 1940, but in 1952, London County Council bought the land and restored the gardens.

Kyoto Gardens was gifted from the city of Kyoto in Japan to celebrate the longstanding friendship between Britain and Japan. Brimming with koi carp, Japanese maple trees and waterfalls aplenty, this hidden gem is well worth the journey into Kensington.

If you’d like to go further afield, why not visit the Seven Sisters Cliffs in the South Downs – click here for a full Day Trip Guide. These cliffs are a natural marvel on the shores of the English Channel, you won’t want to miss them if you have the time!

Right! Back to my 5 best Hidden Gems to Visit in London…

2. Holborn Kingsway Station

Over 60 years ago, transport for London abandoned the Kingsway Tram Station in Holborn. It’s set to come back into use in the coming years for Crossrail to hide some of their enabling works, so if you want to catch a glimpse of what the Underground was like over half a century ago, you’re in luck!

You can visit the station as part of the Hidden London tour which is run by the London Transport Museum.

3. Whitechapel

Whitechapel in 2021 is a modern, trendy borough of East London. Street art adorns the sides of buildings, worldwide cuisines line the streets and galleries brimming with culture are dotted sporadically through this up-and-coming borough of London.

But it wasn’t always this way. Stray further off the beaten track and you’ll find yourself on the cobbled streets where Jack the Ripper’s victims took their final breaths.

There are guided tours through the area, making it a particularly good find for those into true crime.

4. Primrose Hill

When it comes to parks in London, you’re spoilt for choice. St James’s Park, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Richmond Park and Greenwich Park to name just a few are what instantly come to mind, and that’s not to mention to various commons dotted around the city as well.

Whilst all these parks are beautiful in their own right, Primrose Hill has a lot to offer.

Known amongst London residents, Primrose Hill is hardly a tourist magnet, but why? It overlooks Regent’s park and gives spectacular views onto the bustling city’s skyscrapers.

If you’re in the Camden area, it’s well worth making a trip to Primrose Hill.

5. Saint Dunstan in the East

Situated directly in the middle of the City of London – a stones throw from the Tower of London – sits Saint Dunstan in the East.

The ruins of this Saxon church offer a welcome reprieve from the busy city; trees grow through windows and a number of park benches in the courtyard provide a relaxing place to take a load off.

With so much serenity, it’s easy to forget where you are when you visit these ruins. The church was build in 1100 but fell victim to both the Great Fire of London in 1666 and two German bombs in 1941. All that’s left are the tower and steeple, but despite the church’s fiery history, it’s now the epitome of calm and tranquillity.

Next time you’re in London, make sure you squeeze in a visit to at least one of these five hidden gems in between the tourist hotspots!