London welcomes millions of visitors each year who visit iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye, but beyond Big Ben lies a tons of Hidden gems in London. Hidden passageways, repurposed historical buildings, and tucked-away green spaces that most tourists don’t see.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor looking to experience a more authentic London or a Londoner wanting new adventures, this guide will take you beyond the normal guidebook clichés.
I’ve been to London twice and still have so much left to see, which makes this city so endlessly fascinating!
Highgate Cemetery
The unexpected of Hidden Gems in London
Highgate Cemetery is open daily from 10am-5pm (March-October) and until 4pm the rest of the year.
Some of the most famous people who are buried here is the philosopher and economist, famous for his theories about capitalism, socialism, and communism, Karl Marx – as well as one of the best-selling musicians of all time George Michael. George Eliot, considered one of the greatest authors of the Victorian era, is also buried at Highgate under her birth name, Mary Ann Evans.
Highgate Cemetery served as a private answer to a big issue during the early nineteenth century: what to do with the dead while the city was expanding?
The stories of Highgate Cemetery are as diverse as the people buried here. Some of them are well-known, some are being rediscovered, and others will remain untold.
After World War I devastated the personnel, the cemetery was essentially deserted by the end of World War II. The gates to Highgate Cemetery were locked in 1960, and now the area is being partially reclaimed by nature, which gives it a lovely air of romantic ruin.
Today, 170,000 people are buried at Highgate Cemetery in 53,000 graves on 37 acres. Plots are still for sale at around £20,000.
A ticket to see both sides of the cemetery is £10. The East cemetery on its own is £6. You can also join a guided tour lasting about 75 min. For £15 – where you gain access to the entire cemetery and the Terrace Catacombs are opened exclusively for tour participants.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
This museum was once the home of the renowned neo-classical architect Sir John Soane and today it houses a big collection of art, sculptures and artefacts, all of which are displayed in Soane’s historic interiors.
Most tourists don’t know that this little hidden gem in London even exists!
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Entry is free
It’s also possible to join a guided tour of the home and museum for a fee – see more here
The Royal Courts of Justice
One of the Hidden gems in London found in plain sight
The High Court and the Court of Appeal of England and Wales are located in the reminiscent of a cathedral from 1882 with beautiful stained glass windows and mosaic marble floor.
It’s possible to visit the building but only on selected dates. Be aware that tours must be pre-booked as walk-ins are not an option! Book here
Adult ticket: €24
Roof East
The Hidden Gems in London in Summer
Roof East is located on the roof of a multi-story car park in Stratford, East London (hence the name ;)). Roof East is an open-air venue known for its unique and colourful space. The venue offers lots of different things, combining entertainment, socialising, and relaxation against the backdrop of the London skyline.
Activities include:
- Crazy Golf: A mini-golf course with a unique and playful design.
- Cinema Screenings: Outdoor movies with the cityscape as a backdrop.
- Bowling: A casual bowling experience.
- Bars and food stalls: The venue features a bar serving all sorts of fun drinks as well as a selection of food stalls from all sorts of kitchens.
- Yoga classes: Rooftop yoga for the relaxed adventurer – why not?
The rooftop venue hosts a variety of events including live music and themed parties. Remember to look out for upcoming programs on their website.
Old Royal Naval College
The most stunning of the Hidden Gems in London
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Greenwich. It once served as a naval hospital, but now it’s used as a filming prop (some of the movies/series which has had a scene here are The Crown, The Dark Knight Rises, Skyfall, Thor: the dark world, pirates of the caribbean, 007 Octopussy, 4 weddings and a funeral and many more).
The Old Royal Naval College is renowned for its stunning architecture, and is part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site, which also includes the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House. The twin domes of the Painted Hall, also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the UK,” are a particular highlight, and Sir James Thornhill painted the hall’s elaborate paintings, which feature mythological figures, maritime landscapes, and important historical events. The Old Royal Naval College hosts various events, concerts, and cultural activities throughout the year. It is a venue for celebrations, festivals, and educational programs that showcase the site’s maritime heritage.
How to visit this hidden gems in London
A general ticket is £15 and the admission ticket includes tours, entry to the Painted Hall, the Skittle Alley and much more. Explore the Painted Hall yourself with a self-led tour using our award-winning multimedia guides. Join talks throughout the day in the Painted Hall or go on one of the daily tours that are all included in the price of your ticket. Get your TICKET HERE.
You can also enjoy an afternoon tea, after taking in the wonders of the Old Royal Naval College, in the Painted Hall Cafe. You have to pre-book a seat which is £24 (Get it HERE). Please note that you can go for afternoon tea without visiting the Old Royal Naval College – and it does not include entrance to the Painted Hall.
Opening hours of The Painted Hall, Chapel & Visitor Centre:
Daily from 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
If you want to go on the “600 years of history” tour, simply just join one of the daily start times at either 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm.
Gods Own Junkyard
Most instagram-able of all Hidden Gems In London
Do you like neon? Cake? Disco Balls? 80s music?
Not only does God’s own junkyard have neon signs, but also a variety of oddball statues such as jukeboxes, gramophones, and giant stilettos. Not only is this hidden gem one of London’s trendiest and most quirky shops, it’s also an art gallery and neon museum featuring a café and a shop selling and renting signs. Their “Rolling Scones” Café offers a whole menu including afternoon tea.
To many’s surprise, God’s own junkyard is FREE to enter; however, keep in mind that this is a small, independent family business, so please do your part by purchasing a coffee or a pin.
You are more than free to take as many cell phone shots as you like, but professional DSLR photos are not permitted here without the owners’ express consent.
Gods Own Junkyard are open only on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Fun fact: Only 10% of the total collection, or over 1000 signs, are present in the London Museum. Not to mention that the monthly electricity cost is over £3,000 – so don’t feel bad about leaving the lights on at home from time to time.
PRO TIP: look out for dates the museum is closed due to private events at their website HERE.
Kew Gardens
Probably the biggest of all Hidden Gems in London
Kew Gardens is an UNESCO heritage site where beauty meets a longstanding commitment to conservation and climate action. Explore the 130 hectares (321 acres) at Kew Gardens, which houses more than 50,000 types of living plants and millions of preserved ones.
The Treetop Walkway is perhaps one of the most unique attractions at Kew Gardens. There are 118 steps up to the walkway in total, it’s 200m long and made up of 12 modular walkway trusses, connected by 10 circular ‘node’ platforms that provide opportunities for visitors to stop and enjoy the views across the walkway. Towering 18 metres above the ground, made from over 400 tonnes of weathered steel, the walkway’s rusted columns are designed to blend in with the natural environment. At groundlevel, sculptures carved from tree trunks illustrate microscopic elements of trees to explain how they grow.
Photo by hoch3fotografie
Kew Garden opening times
Daily, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm)
There is no better or worse time but ideally you want to go in spring when the flowers are blooming (especially the cherry blossoms).
The Treetop Opening Hours:
Daily from 10am to 2pm (last entry 1.45pm)
- Explore London's largest UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Experience the exotic rainforest in the Palm House
- Take a walk in the treetops, 18 meters above ground level
Battersea Power Station
An Up-and-Coming Hidden Gems in London
As the name insinuate, this is is a power station which was built in two phases between 1929 and 1955, featuring a distinctive four-chimney design. It supplied electricity to London until 1983, where it closed and remained unused for decades. Finally, in October 2022 and after a £9 billion redevelopment, Battersea Power Station reopened as a major mixed-use site. Now it houses luxury apartments, office spaces, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and public spaces. Apple even has their London headquarters here, spanning six floors!
The biggest attraction is a glass elevator ride up one of the chimneys to “Lift 109”, an observation deck offering panoramic views of London.
Photo by Nick Fewings
Marcato Mayfair
One of the most Unbelievable Hidden Gems in London
This stunning food hall and cultural hub is located inside a beautifully restored church in Mayfair, London. Completed in 1828 and after serving as a church for many years, it fell into disuse before being turned into this cool food market.
Marcato Mayfair spans multiple levels within the church:
- The ground floor hosts numerous artisanal food vendors offering cuisines from around the world
- The basement level features a wine cellar, cocktail bar, and cheese and charcuterie counters
- The mezzanine level provides additional seating with views of the spectacular interior
- A rooftop terrace offers outdoor dining during warmer months
Opening hours:
Mon – Thur : 12 – 11 pm
Fri – Sat : 12 – 12 am
Sun : 12 – 10:30 pm
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
This pedestrian tunnel beneath the River Thames in London, connecting Greenwich on the south bank to the Isle of Dogs on the north bank in central London.
Built between 1899 and 1902, the tunnel is about 370 meters (1,215 feet) long and 15 feet in diameter. It was originally built as a free alternative to the ferry service, primarily to allow workers living south of the river to reach their jobs at the docks and shipyards in East London.
It’s not necessarily hidden as it’s used by approximately 1.5 million people annually – but a lot of tourists don’t know about it, and I found it so cool to walk under water!. It’s open 24 hours a day,
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