London's hidden gems get buried under Big Ben, Borough Market, and the British Museum. They're all worth a visit, but if that's all you see, you're getting the postcard version of a city with a lot more going on.
Go beyond the obvious attractions and visit neighborhoods like Crystal Palace, Hackney, and Hoxton. Check out large dinosaur sculptures in a park, a Russian bathhouse, or a cozy bookshop stocking occult books. Here are 8 under-the-radar spots to get you started.
In this article:
1. The Viktor Wynd Museum Of Curiosities, Fine Art & Unnatural History
3. Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
6. Banya No.1
The Viktor Wynd Museum Of Curiosities, Fine Art & Unnatural History
Source: Oskar Proctor, Viktor Wynd Museum.
While famous within the alternative/goth London scene, to the average tourist, the Viktor Wynd Museum in Hackney is a total mystery. Step down an unassuming spiral staircase into a dark, cramped basement filled with taxidermy, erotica, and occult objects, or sip incredible cocktails from the Absinthe Parlour, the upstairs bar. Be warned: you won't find stuffy history lessons here — this museum is pure, chaotic trinkets. Anything and everything is worth being exposed: from Happy Meal Toys to two-headed kittens.
Pro tip: Check the Absinthe Parlour's Calendar for crafty and eccentric events like tarot readings or drink-and-draw workshops.
Opening hours:
Tuesday–Thursday, 3 PM-11 PM
Friday, 3 PM-12 AM
Saturday, 12 PM-12 AM
Sunday, 12 AM-10 PM
Closed on Monday. Pre-booking tickets and reservations are encouraged.
Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Skip the crowded galleries of the Natural History Museum and take your dinosaur adventures outdoors. Head to South-East London's historic Crystal Palace Park, where you'll find over 30 prehistoric statues hidden among the greenery. Unveiled in 1854, these models represent the Victorian era's best guess at what dinosaurs looked like. They aren't scientifically accurate today, but the statues were the world’s first full-scale reconstructions of extinct animals.
Opening hours: Daily from 7:30 AM; closing times vary by season.
Address: Thicket Rd, London SE20, United Kingdom
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
You don't have to leave the city to get away from London's noise and enjoy a peaceful swim. Just take a dip in the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds. Tucked away in the wilder corners of the heath, these ponds are a refreshing, natural alternative to chlorinated indoor pools. Brave the Men's, Women's, or Mixed pond and relax surrounded by the greenery of the park.
Pro tip: June to August tend to have more comfortable water temperatures. If you're looking for a refreshing (rather than freezing) swim, check the water temperature on the City of London's website before deciding to take a dip.
Opening hours:
Daily from 7:00 AM–7:30 AM; closing times vary by season.
Check the official City of London schedule for current times.
The Photobook Café
The Photobook Café is an indie cafe and bar tucked away on Leonard Circus in Shoreditch. It hosts everything from underground photography launches to zine workshops and has an onsite photobook collection, accessible free of charge. Their drinks menu offers both alcoholic and alcohol-free options, and a partnership with the local legends of Yard Sale Pizza means you’ll get giant pies delivered right to your table.
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday, 8 AM-10:30 PM
Saturday, 10 AM-10 PM
Sunday, 10 AM-4 PM
Address: 4 Leonard Circus, London EC2A 4DQ, United Kingdom
Treadwell's Books
Treadwell's looks like a modern-day apothecary, with its wooden shelving and magical books and items. It's a legendary cultural hub for London's pagan, occult, and witchcraft communities. Whether you are a lifelong practitioner or want to buy your first magic book, the knowledgeable staff are known for giving tailored recommendations and will help you find the right secondhand or new book copy. You can even get a tarot reading by selecting a tarot reader and time slot through their website.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic, written by Christina Oakley Harrington, the shop's founder. This practical guide to traditional plant folklore is a quirky souvenir.
Opening hours:
Tuesday–Saturday, 12 AM-7 PM
Sunday & Bank holidays, 12 AM-6 PM
Address: 33 Store St, London WC1E 7BS, United Kingdom
Banya No.1
The lesser-known neighborhood of Hoxton hides an authentic Russian banya experience like you'd normally only find in Moscow The banya experience involves a ritual with steam, traditional platza leaf treatments, and ice bucket showers. Don't forget to bring flip-flops so you don't have to buy any there.
After you've sweated it out, grab some traditional Russian food and drink like borscht and kvass (a traditional soup and a fermented low-alcoholic drink).
Opening hours: Varies by session type. Women-only, men-only, and mixed sessions run at different times throughout the week. Check the Banya No.1's schedule before booking.
Ludo's Bar + Venue
Source: Ludo's official website
Want to grab a pint in the most London setting imaginable? Look no further. Ludo's is a classic red double-decker bus turned intimate bar with live musicThe bar even hosts events like Summer Cinema screenings, comedy nights, and a popular pub quiz hosted by Quizmaster Ed. Bonus points if you spot the two resident dogs, Mag and Ludo.
Pro Tip: If you're celebrating a special event on your trip and are coming with a group, you can reserve the top deck of the bus. Note that the ceiling of the top deck is quite low (1.75 meters or 5 ft 9 in) making it more of a sit-down space.
Opening hours:
Wednesday, 4 PM-11 PM
Thursday, 4 PM-11:30 PM
Friday–Saturday, 4 PM-12 AM
Sunday, 2 PM-8 PM
Address: Blue House Yard, 5 River Park Rd, London N22 7TB, United Kingdom
The Artist's Garden
The Artist's Garden atop Temple Underground Station is one of those true secret places in London that most visitors walk past. It hosts a rotating showcase championing women in art, like the MARY MARY, that featured nine contemporary women artists. Grab a coffee, climb the stairs right outside the station entrance, and settle in for a view of the Thames and sunsets that most commuters completely miss. Note that it's an open-air space, so check the weather app before heading out.
Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 8 AM-dusk
Address: The Artist's Garden, Temple Station, Roof Terrace, Temple, London WC2R 2PH, United Kingdom
Bonus Tips to Find Hidden Gems in London
While this list is a solid start for exploring hidden places in London, it's not exhaustive. London is constantly evolving and the best spots rarely make it into travel guides. Here is how to stay in the loop and create your own hidden gems list:
- Look for hyper-specific walking tours: Skip the massive open-top buses and seek out niche tours by locals in London. Look for walking groups, like foraging classes in the Hackney marshes, or ghost tours in central London.
- Explore beyond central London: While you can find some niche tours in central London, searching online for specific neighborhood tours or exploring areas like Hampstead or Brixton on your own will help you get off the beaten path.
- Master the pub chat: Chatting with the bartender or locals at a neighborhood pub will get you further than any travel blog. Keep in mind that Thursdays to Sundays can get really busy, and you might need to stand outside with your drink (yes, it's a thing).
London's best spots don't advertise themselves — that's half the charm. Don't let spotty Wi-Fi stop you from finding them. Grab your first eSIM, for example an Unlimited data package for more connectivity and less data counting.
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