Lesser-Known Tourist Attractions In London

If you have been to London already, you have no doubt seen famous attractions such as Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and Tower of London. But there are still a lot of places to explore! Below are some of London’s lesser-known tourist attractions.

At the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, you will find Britain’s equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. The Painted Hall is a spectacular room with Baroque paintings on its ceiling and walls. You will see at least two hundred mythological figures depicted across 3,700 square meters (40,000 square feet) of wall space. The artwork was designed by British artist Sir James Thornhill in the early 18th century, and his masterpiece took nineteen years to complete. The Painted Hall was reopened in 2019 following a two year, £8.5 million, restoration project. It is open to the public and you can purchase tickets via the Old Royal Naval College website.

While you are exploring Greenwich, be sure to check out another one of London’s hidden gems: The Tulip Stairs. Located in the nearby Queen’s House, is Britain’s first self-supporting spiral staircase. The wrought iron structure with its ornate floral design is an architectural marvel.

The decommissioned coal-fired power station is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. The structure went unused for over 30 years, but Battersea Power Station has now been turned into a shopping mall. It has over a hundred shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues – most of which are dog-friendly. 

You can still see many of its original fittings and Art Deco interiors, most notably in the Control Room B bar. You will have the opportunity to drink craft cocktails next to control panels and historic electrical equipment. One of the drinks even comes in a ceramic bowl shaped like the power station itself!

Any nature lover will enjoy The Kyoto Garden in Kensington’s Holland Park. The Japanese-style landscaped garden features colorful plants, winding cobbled paths, stone lanterns, a tiered waterfall, and a Koi pond. The garden was a gift from the city of Kyoto in 1991 to commemorate the long friendship between Britain and Japan.

West End shows are great, but if you want to step back in time, head to Shakespeare’s Globe. This 1997 reproduction is an accurate re-creation of the original Globe Theatre built in 1599 (where William Shakespeare’s plays were first performed). The 360° open air auditorium overlooking The Thames hosts a variety of theatrical productions, but always includes a selection of Shakespearean plays. To view upcoming performances, consult the Shakespeare’s Globe website. 

The London Sky Garden occupies the top three floors of The Fenchurch Building (commonly referred to as The Walkie-Talkie). At the UK’s highest garden, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city surrounded by lush greenery. Entry is free, but you will need to reserve a time slot on the Sky Garden webpage. While you are up there, you may want to grab a drink at the Sky Pod Bar or dine at one of the rooftop restaurants.

This beautiful Georgian mansion was the first Duke of Wellington’s London residence. If you are a history buff, you will enjoy seeing war memorabilia from the Iron Duke’s great victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. Additionally, visitors cannot help but be impressed by the manor’s glittering interiors and extensive art collection. To check prices and opening times for Apsley House, please refer to the English Heritage webpage.

In North-West London, you will find Europe’s first traditional Hindu temple. The impressive building was constructed according to ancient Vedic architectural texts. It is made entirely of stone, and uses no structural steel. The temple is an active place of worship, but is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Entry is free, and includes access to an exhibition with 3D displays about Hinduism, the world’s oldest living religion. For more details, visit the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir website. 

Shopaholics be warned – London has a subterranean market full of silver retailers. Beneath Chancery Lane you can find antique, and modern, silver items such as jewelry, cutlery, and decorative pieces. The vaults originally opened in 1885 and still house some third generation family businesses. 

The Church of St Dunstan was built around 1100. It was seriously damaged during the Blitz of 1941 — with only its tower and steeple remaining completely intact. The church ruins have now been turned into a public garden. You can take wonderful pictures of the plant life, including vines growing around the church’s classical arched windows.

If you have already visited iconic London museums such as The British Museum and The Victoria and Albert Museum, you may be in the mood for something smaller. A museum off the beaten path is The Museum of the Home in Hoxton. Its exhibits depict rooms in London homes from the 16th century to the present. You can appreciate the interior design (and lifestyle) changes as you walk through living rooms from different eras. To learn more, visit The Museum of the Home’s official site. 

The foregoing are just some of the undiscovered treasures in London. The city has lots of historic houses, secret bars, and gorgeous gardens that are not listed on traditional tourist sites. We hope you have a fantastic time the next time you travel to London, and please keep an eye out for other under-appreciated attractions. 

If you are looking for other city-specific travel tips, please read our articles Must-See Places In Budapest and Paris – Things To See vs. Skip.