London is an incredibly beautiful city. It’s also a very big city and an extremely popular tourist destination. If you already know all the main landmarks in London, and are looking for something a little different, this is the guide for you.
After living in London for 8 years I can say I’ve explored it far and wide, from the main tourist hubs to the secret spots only Londoners know.
For those who are looking to get off the beaten track, I’ve put together a compilation of the 10 most amazing hidden gems in London, which everyone should add to their London bucket list!
In this guide:
10 incredible secret spots in London you have to discover
Camden Passage
This quirky little street in Angel is one of my favourite places in London. Angel as an area is still quite hidden from the main tourist radar, but Camden Passage especially is still a secret gem waiting to be found.
The road is primarily pedestrian and lined with lots of cute cafes, restaurants and vintage shops. Traditional English brick exposed houses line the sides of the street, some of them with cute plants and balconies hanging outside.
It’s a particularly popular spot on weekends, when you can find a bustling market and lots of people out for brunch. My personal favourite food place here is Crepe Affaire, quick and tasty!
I lived in Angel for three years and can highly recommend it as one of the best areas to stay in London.
Kingly Court
You wouldn’t expect something located so centrally in London to be considered a secret gem, and yet I find it is.
Located just off Carnaby Street, one of the prettiest streets in London, Kingly Court is often overlooked by all the people that wander down Carnaby Street.
Few look down the tiny corridor that leads to Kingly Court, a beautiful courtyard that offers a huge choice of bars and restaurants. There is a central courtyard with outdoor seating, and two floors of bars and restaurants looking down on the courtyard.
If you’re not sure what you fancy eating, just pop by in Kingly Court, there is so much choice you are sure to find something you like! I personally love Stax Diner, they have great burgers!
Granary Square
Granary Square has recently become one of my favourite spots for brunch in London. Up until a few years ago there wasn’t much around here, until they completely revamped the area.
Today you can find loads of bars, restaurants, shops and plenty of spots to bask in the sun in summer. Granary Square and Coal’s Drop Yard, a new outdoors shopping area, are located just behind Kings Cross Station.
Amongst Londonders it’s a popular weekend brunch destination, but it’s not famous yet amongst tourists.
I love it especially in summer, when the big steps leading down to the canal are covered in fake grass, and you can find people enjoying drinks in the sunshine and relaxing along the canal.
Primrose Hill
If you’re looking for a moments escape from the busy city life, Primrose Hill can give you that. Located on the Northern end of Regents Park, Primrose Hill is a 60m hill with sweeping views over the London skyline.
From up there you can see the Shard, the London Eye and the skyscrapers of the city peeking over the top of the treeline. It’s the perfect place to visit in summer, enjoy some time in the sun and relax away from the tourist crowds.
On hot summer days it’s often busy with Londoners enjoying picnics and drinks in the sun, but amongst tourists it’s still a secret spot. It’s one of the best parks in London, but still fairly unknown.
If you’re visiting London in winter you should still add it to your itinerary, there will be less people around and it’s still a great sunset spot!
The Scoop
The Scoop is in a very touristy part of London, and yet it doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as its neighbouring attractions.
Located along More London Place, just under one of London’s icons; Tower Bridge, the Scoop is an outdoor amphitheatre. In summer it’s one of my favourite places in London.
Next to the Scoop they set up a bar, a street food truck, chairs and sunbeds, as well as a big screen. Here they play all sorts of movies, sports matches, and even a group karaoke on Friday nights!
It’s the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy a drink, tasty food and fun company while admiring one of the main attractions in London, without major tourist crowds around.
It’s also a very photogenic spot if you’re trying to share more London Instagram photos!
Seven Dials Market
Most of the amazing secret spots in London I’ve shared so far are places that are especially enjoyable in summer, so figured it was time for something a little different. Seven Dials Market is an indoor food court close to Covent Garden.
Despite being so central, it is still a fairly unknown attraction in London. The market is located inside an old banana warehouse, which has been readapted to its new purpose.
The venue is split over two floors with a central seating area and food stalls that line up the walls. For a place so small, there is a huge variety of food you can enjoy, from truffle burgers to ramen, as well as a bar with lots of drinks choices.
It’s the perfect place to go if you want to sample different foods and enjoy the fun atmosphere.
Especially if you don’t have long in London, it’s so central you’re bound to be in the area (need help planning your brief London trips? Check out my London 1-day and 2-day itineraries).
Pop Brixton
Another unique foodie secret spot that you have to visit is Pop Brixton. Brixton is an area in South London famous for its hipster and quirky style, and Pop Brixton perfectly reflects that.
Pop Brixton is a temporary project, but we sure hope it will stay for longer! They took a disused plot of land, and turned it into a really cool space that showcases local Brixton and Lambeth businesses.
Combining street food, drinks and shopping it brings it all together in a creative space. There are a number of central dining tables so you can grab food from any of the stalls and then sit with your friends, eat and have fun!
St Dunstan in the East
This is another of those super central spots, which don’t receive anywhere near as many visitors as you might expect.
Saint Dunstan in the East is a church that was largely destroyed during the Second World War. It’s located between Monument and Tower Hill and the ruins are now a public garden.
Very different from everything else in this secret spots list, you won’t find bars and restaurants at St Dunstan in the East.
It’s a very tranquil spot that the history and culture fans will love, but also anyone looking for a moments break from the chaos of London city life will appreciate.
Entrance is free and you can just wander in.
Regent’s Canal
Everybody knows the River Thames, but how many of you have heard of Regent’s Canal? Regent’s Canal goes all the way from Little Venice to the Docklands, crossing a lot of scenic and famous areas of London in the process.
I always love walking in London, bust especially so along the canal on a sunny day.
Especially in summer, you will often see commuters running or cycling along the canal, friends sitting in the sun having a beer and couples walking holding hands. Londoners love Regent’s Canal, but it’s still a fairly hidden gem when it comes to tourists.
Some of the most popular spots of the canal are behind Kings Cross when it goes past Granary Square, when it crosses Camden Market and Little Venice.
Depending on what you’re looking for there is something for everyone. I personally love walking along the canal instead of taking public transport to get around London if I’m not in a rush to get somewhere.
Alexandra Palace
My first time visiting Alexandra Palace was for the 10th year anniversary of my department at work (I used to work in the corporate world and parties could get very flashy).
Known by Londoners as Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace is a huge palace and park located in North London.
Make sure to check out the Alexandra Palace official website, as they have all sorts of events on all year round, including ice skating shows, concerts, vintage market sales, vegan cooking classes and more.
If you’re looking to get away from the chaos of the city you can also just go for a wander around the park gardens.
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Final thoughts on secret local spots in London
Have you been to any of these secret spots in London? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below! If there are other quirky off the beaten track places that you think should feature in this bucket list let me know!
I wanted to put together a compilation of hidden gems in London for those who have already visited the city and have seen all the main attractions, or even for first timers who want to get off the beaten path.
I hope you find this guide useful in planning your time in London away from the crowds!
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Great info, thank you! I’ll be there next month and will certainly use this list!
You’re welcome, glad you found it useful! 🙂
I used to live in London and I’ve only been to four of these spots! Shame on me. I’m always missing it, so I’ll have to drag my American husband over to experience them all.
I know the feeling, when you live somewhere it always feels like you’ll have time another day to go do / see something and then you never get round to it! Always a good excuse to go back though 🙂
So much to see! Saving this list for my next time to London
Glad I could be helpful!
Love these thanks! They are going to come in super handy on my next European tour as many of the tours start in London and I’ve seen some of the main attractions now. You’ve got me looking forward to Sky Garden and St Dunstan in the East especially – seems like the perfect spot for gorgeous photos.
Sky Garden is definitely an incredible place for pictures!
Thank you so much for sharing these places! As every London tourist I´ve missed them all while visiting lol now saved for my future trips! Would especially love to check St Dunstan in the East!
Haha nothing to be ashamed of! Gives you a good excuse to come back 😉
I’m going to England in June and these have got me so much more excited! I love the look of Camden Passage and Ally Pally! Thanks for these!
You’re welcome, glad you found it useful! Ally Pally in summer is going to be beautiful!
Love all the pictures. Cannot wait to plan my trip to London and go visit all these cool spots.
Thanks! You’re going to have an incredible time in London 🙂
Amazing list of spots! Where was this when I was in London years ago?! Will definitely have to make a trip back and use this post as a guide.
Haha always a good excuse to come back!
Love your recommendations. Adding them all to my list.
Thanks! Glad I could be helpful 🙂
There were definitely spots on this list I had not seen before. Every time I go to London I spend more time eating meat pies and beer than photographing anything! There are some really cool photo spots that I am sure my hubby would thoroughly enjoy – great list!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Haha yes with so many good food options around London it’s easy to get sidetracked, after all tasting the local food is a huge part about visiting a new place!
London is one of my favorite cities in the world! Love your list of hidden gems
Thank you!
What an enjoyable read! London is one of mye favorite cities, just can’t get enough of it. Next time I’ll definitely look into Sky Garden, WHAT a view 🙂
Sky Garden is definitely one of the most incredible views in London!
This is a great guide and will be useful when I travel there.
I live in the Netherlands and have never visited the UK before. Still planning my trip to London and will definitely visit this city when all the virus os gone! Especially with the direct train from Rotterdam to London – it gets so easy for us to visit. 🙂
For sure, it’s quicker with the train than flying! Hope you get to visit London soon 🙂
Very nice article! I love your pictures! I have never been to London! Seeing all these places full of happy people is quite nice these days…
Thanks, glad you liked it!