10 Hidden Gems in London Most Miss

Famous and forgotten, grand and quiet. These London hidden gems reward anyone willing to step off the obvious path.

1. Leadenhall Market, a Victorian beauty in the City

When you step into Leadenhall Market, the modern City around it melts away. Hidden among the surrounding skyscrapers, this Victorian market is the perfect place to admire historic architecture and soak up a piece of old London. Built in 1881, it dazzles with ornate ironwork, cobbled floors and a painted roof. Film fans may recognise it as a stand-in for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. 

Closest landmark: Tower of London (10–15 minute walk)

2. St Dunstan in the East, a garden among the ruins

Part historic church, part hidden garden, St Dunstan in the East is one of London's most peaceful green spaces. Damaged during the Blitz in 1941, the church was transformed into a public garden rather than rebuilt. Today, ivy-covered ruins, Gothic archways and quiet pathways create a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city.

Closest landmark: Tower Bridge (5–10 minute walk)

3. Little Venice, canals in the heart of the city

West London hides a lesser-known area, Little Venice often gets overlooked or forgotten about making it the perfect hidden gem in London. Where Regent's Canal meets the Grand Union, Little Venice unfolds with houseboats, waterside cafés and willow-lined towpaths. Take a slow canal walk towards Camden, or hop on a narrowboat for a gentler view. It feels a world away from the rush of the West End.

Closest landmark: Paddington Station (5 minute walk)

4. Postman's Park, a memorial to quiet heroes

Near St Paul's Cathedral sits one of London's most moving small spaces. Postman's Park holds the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, a wall of ceramic tablets honouring ordinary people who died saving others. Each tile tells a short, stirring story. It is a place of stillness in a busy corner of the City.

Closest landmark: St Paul's Cathedral, stop number 33 (2 minute walk)

5. God's Own Junkyard, neon by the mile

Out in Walthamstow, an old warehouse glows like nowhere else. God's Own Junkyard packs hundreds of neon signs, film props and salvaged lights into one dazzling room. Grab a coffee in the on-site café and soak up the colour. It is loud, bright and gloriously unlike anywhere else in London.

Closest landmark: Walthamstow Market (10 minute walk)

6. Daunt Books, a temple for travellers

Marylebone's Daunt Books is no ordinary shop. Built in 1910, this Edwardian bookshop arranges its travel section by country, beneath a long oak gallery and a stained-glass window. A true hidden gem in London as soft light pours through as you browse and daydreamers could lose an afternoon here without noticing.

Closest landmark: Madame Tussauds (10–15 minute walk)

7. Neal's Yard, a splash of colour in Covent Garden

Just steps from the crowds of Covent Garden lies a courtyard most visitors miss. Neal's Yard bursts with painted walls, hanging plants and tucked-away cafés. The narrow alley entrance hides it well. Once inside, the bright façades and quiet tables make it a favourite spot to pause and recharge.

Closest landmark: Covent Garden (2 minute walk)

Explore by Open Top London Bus Tour

8. Wilton's Music Hall, the oldest of its kind

Down a side street in the East End stands the world's oldest surviving grand music hall. Wilton's opened in the 1850s and wears its age with grace, all weathered plaster and faded charm. Catch a show, join a tour, or simply have a drink in the atmospheric bar. History hangs in every beam.

Closest landmark: Tower of London (10 minute walk)

9. The Seven Noses of Soho, a quirky hunt

London rewards the curious with odd little treasures. Hidden across Soho are several small sculpted noses, fixed to walls by artist Rick Buckley in 1997. Spotting them all turns a wander into a game. Ask a local for clues, or simply keep your eyes raised as you explore the neighbourhood.

Closest landmark: Piccadilly Circus (5 minute walk)

10. Eel Pie Island, a bohemian riverside escape

Out in Twickenham, a small island in the Thames holds a curious past. Eel Pie Island once hosted music legends and now shelters a community of artists and boatbuilders. Its studios open to the public only a few times a year. Time your visit right and you will see a side of London few ever do.

Closest landmark: Twickenham Stadium (20–25 minute walk)

While hidden London gems, these lesser-known spots are easier to find than you might think. These 10 hidden gems are all located near iconic London landmarks, meaning our Hop-On Hop-Off bus drops you off nearby, leaving you just a short, walkable hop to the hidden corners nearby.

• Near Tower of London (Leadenhall Market)

• Near Tower Bridge (St Dunstan in the East)

• Near Paddington Station (Little Venice)

• Near St Paul's Cathedral (Postman's Park)

• Near Walthamstow Market (God's Own Junkyard)

• Near Madame Tussauds (Daunt Books)

• Near Covent Garden (Neal's Yard)

• Near Tower of London (Wilton's Music Hall)

• Near Piccadilly Circus (Seven Noses of Soho)

• Near Twickenham Stadium (Eel Pie Island)

It’s a fun, flexible way to explore London at your own pace.

Explore by Hop-On Hop-Off Bus