| 5 mins read
London is my favourite city in the world. There's a lot to like and a lot to do, and I mean an overwhelming lot! The sheer size of this city means it can never be exhausted for choices, never wholly known, not in a lifetime and certainly not in a week's stay. A much-repeated adage has it that when you're tired of London, you're tired of life, and that might be true!
However, what often goes missing by a tourist is the hidden treasures of the city beyond the hyped-up places that equally contribute to the essence of the city's beauty. So today, I'll talk about the hidden gems in London because there is still much to see, even once the traditional tourist attractions have been ticked off.
Want to explore London like a local? Get in touch with tourHQ's London guides.
Apart from its diverse, multicultural and historical market, Spitalfields in East London is also home to a rather extraordinary house- Dennis Severs' House, 18 Folgate Street, London E1 6BX. The Dennis Severs' House is a strange time capsule like no other. Walking through the front door, recognisable by the old-fashioned London streetlamp outside, takes you on a historical journey through the eyes of an unknown family of this Californian, who was fond of British history. Cooking smells and the sound of carriage wheels follow you through the house, past the remains of a wild party in the smoking room and into bedrooms where a fire still burns in the grate and notes written long ago are tucked into mirrors.
In an interview, Severs' friend Dan Cruickshank said:
"It was never meant to be an accurate historical creation of a specific moment – it was an evocation of a world. It was essentially a theatre set."
Another belief that we all can agree on is that London is truly a reader's paradise. International book retreats are a major attraction for readers from all over the world. Well, a land that was walked by the most remarkable literary figures like Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf and John Milton has to be undoubtedly famous! So, consider taking home a book as a not-so-typical souvenir when in London. Although all the British supermarkets sell books, a unique shop of independent booksellers across the city selling a wide range of quality fiction and non-fiction is the London Review Bookshop, 14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL. An added bonus is the tea and cake they sell as well.
Another must experience to have in London is learning about British history. As you will walk around London, you will easily notice many remnants and memorials of the Second World War. Relics of the Blitz, the 267 days when the United Kingdom was bombed by Nazi Germany early in the war, are scattered around London. However, one site you should check out is the church of St Dunstan-in-the-East, Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD, located halfway between Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. A decision was made not to rebuild or demolish the severely damaged church after it was hit in 1941, and instead, its ruins were turned into a public garden. This beautifully unusual space is often used by office workers on their lunch breaks.
The next place on your list can be The Battle of Britain Bunker, St Andrew's Road, Uxbridge UB10 0RN. It is a museum that once played a vital role during the aerial battles that roared over England during the Second World War. The fully restored plotting room reimagines 15 September 1940, the Battle of Britain Day, hosting both original and reconstructed artefacts.
Long days pounding the streets of London are sure to build up an appetite. And what I love the most about London is that all the world's flavours are available. While shopping on London's Oxford and Regent Streets, you can head to my personal favourite, the Nordic Bakery, 14A Golden Square, London W1F 9JG. It would be best if you tried their famous cinnamon buns. Another option is found at London's grand department stores. The handbags and handkerchiefs may be expensive, but their food halls are worth a visit for sandwiches, cakes and pastries. My favourite places are Selfridges, famous for its afternoon tea breaks, and Harrods. Apart from these, you should also check out Portobello Road, which hosts the world-famous Portobello Road Market, packed with antiques, food, clothing and much more.
Lastly, one of the attractions that London cannot do away with is its parks, called the city's lungs. From young kids running around, families hosting picnics, employees sipping an end-of-the-office break to beautiful elderly couples walking hand-in-hand, the sights of the London parks are indeed a sight to behold! Among these, the most famous is Hampstead Heath, which sits on a ridge, providing a beautiful peak of London. Even on a drizzly day, a walk in the park will knock the cobwebs from your head and refresh you enough to continue your London adventure.
Hayley is a New Zealander living in a small town in Italy. She travels and writes, collecting postcards and local sweets along the way. For more, check out https://www.instagram.com/hayleyprins/.
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/5nSzKW (missusdoubleyou, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/89XBCG (RachelH_, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/pCLwfn (Rob Taylor, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/fauGyV (Anguskirk, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/8dkmYc (Susan Fitzgerald, CC BY-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/e2usyb (Kake, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/5qgR7 (Paul Downey, CC BY 2.0), https://pixabay.com/photo-455594/