Forum Topic

Lesser known London.

I'm looking for lesser known visitor attractions in London. Some foreign friends are visiting London and are keen to further explore London - they love London and have 'done' the Tower, Buck House, St Paul's, the museums and most of the usual sites. It would be nice if the attractions were near public transport and had good eating places too.  Any suggestions please? Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4350d25 Comments

Yet another splendid suggestion, thanks Lucy.

Gerry Tan ● 4344d

You might try Dennis Severs' House which recreates the world of Huguenot silk weavers - you wander round by candlelight and it's a fabulous experience:  http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/This website: http://hidden-london.com/ is run by the chap who wrote the Brewers Dictionary of London Phrase and Fable and the London Gazetteer, so it's full of fascinating gems across the capital.

Lucy Gaster ● 4344d

Thanks Margaret - fascinating place is London - my friends from abroad love it and they know it better than I do.

Gerry Tan ● 4344d

Look on Amazon Gerry for books by John Wittich, my dad. All about lesser known London.

Margaret Wittich ● 4344d

My wife and I have enjoyed many of these (on occasion, with visitors from overseas):http://www.walks.com/Have not tried http://www.secretlondonwalks.co.uk/ but perhaps this weekend.....

Thomas Bonasera ● 4345d

Markets are always pleasant - all markets anywhere in the world are interesting to explore and experience. They're a place to meet people, to trade and to satisfy.  I love markets.

Gerry Tan ● 4346d

Broadway Market in Hackney on a Saturday morning is great.  Lots of stalls selling street food from all over the world.

Sandra Jones ● 4346d

If they're early risers get the first tube to Smithfield market, have a good wander then have a huge fry-up and a pint at 8am! The rest of the day then still in front of you to enjoy a lovely bit of London.

Sam Salisbury ● 4346d

Further to all the helpful advice from you guys - a neighbour recommended The Fan Museum in Greenwich. It makes a great day out I'm told, to take the tube to Embankment, then a ferry to Greenwich and book an afternoon tea(good value we're informed) at the museum - also its quite near to the Cutty Sark and other visitor attractions. Thanks again.

Gerry Tan ● 4347d

www.secretlondonwalks.co.For walking tours with an experienced guide,highly recommended.

James Beach ● 4349d

Thanks for the many excellent suggestions for unusual and lesser known London attractions. My visiting friends are going to love continuing their exploration of what they consider one of the finer cities they've experienced. Really grateful to all who replied.

Gerry Tan ● 4349d

Ah Roman Road market.  Been a few years since I worked around that area but suspect that, despite being not far from the Olympic Stadium, gentrification/hip/silicon valley has not quite reached that far yet - but as you say amazingly just a couple of miles from the edge of the "City".I also recall one morning a little queue forming outside the local Weatherspoons pub at about 9:15am when the advertised hours were opening at 9:00 am.  All well before the market gets going so not weary traders at end of shift like Smithfields or the like.Certainly to be added to Gerry's list.

Philip Coe ● 4349d

I took my parents to the Olympic park and then walked over to Roman road market (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). We then walked the entire length all the way to bethnal green and eventually brick lane. A very interesting day out.

Barbara Karayi ● 4349d

Ealing Cycling Campaign's cycle rides are legendary for taking one through lesser known routes across London.Take them on the number 9 bus route which has the highest average property price in London. Or if they want to see a suave Londoner the 33 bus route has the best dressed passengers.The Tony Purton guided walk is a must do too.

Ben Owen ● 4349d

The Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes walks are interesting.

Keith Iddon ● 4349d

Second Sir John Soane museum.Hunter's museum too and Imperial War museum

Keith Iddon ● 4349d

Oh and if you've never been you really should take them to leadenhall market, it's a wonderful place

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4349d

This might help Gerry or try googling hidden london,http://www.smh.com.au/travel/london-wait-theres-more-20130329-2gylq.html

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4350d

Greenwich (Navy museum, Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark amongst other attractions).  Get there by DLR from Bank to Island Gardens - largely above ground so good views of Canary Wharf - then take foot tunnel under Thames.  To get back North of the river suggest the Emirates cable car - great views and far cheaper than the Shard or London Eye.

Philip Coe ● 4350d

MoL gets another vote here,and just around the corner is Postmans Park which is a nice place to cool down or shelter from the rain,it has tile plaques on a wall to commemorate some very brave citizens.http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2008/08/postmans_park_london.html

Tony Wood ● 4350d

also love the Museum of London (if they haven't done that before)

Penny Crocker ● 4350d

I usually find that for history buffs a walk around Temple Gardens followed by a drink at the Cheshire Cheese just off Fleet Street always goes down very well.Locally, take them to a classical music concert at the magical 12th century St Mary's church in Perivale, probably London's best kept secret.

Tom Carroll ● 4350d

How about the Sir John Soane museum in Lincolns Inn fields, a quirky museum includes Hogarths Rakes Progress and Robert Adam drawings. Plus there's an Ealing connection.

Chris Edwards ● 4350d

If they're into sport the Wimbledon tour is excellent, as are the Chelsea and Wembly tours.

Milena Vincic ● 4350d

The RAF Museum in Brent, the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, boat trip from Westminster to Greenwich and the sights there, the South Bank, Kew Gardens, Ham House, the Shard, Somerset House...the list is almost endless so google London Tourist attractions and see what they haven't done.

Milena Vincic ● 4350d