Hidden gems in London.

[Onionringo]

Hi,

What are your hidden gems in London? I seem to have found myself with a couple of free days, completely child free, and as I live on the outskirts of London, thought I'd try and explore places I've never been. All suggestions welcome for interesting museums, bars, restaurants for lunch, parks, shops, anything. I've generally stuck to all the well known places and museums, my favourites being the Portrait Gallery and the V&A. That's where I always seem to end up, and I'm determined to stay away from them this time.

Any ideas? What would you do if it were you with these days to fill?

Climb the Monument then walk the short distance to St Dunstan in the East for a picnic!

Thanks for all your messages. I've been looking up those places I don't really know. I'm pretty sure one day is going to be Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath. Any other ideas for that day in that area? I like walking, I like taking photos, so I'm hoping the Heath will be good for that.

And does anybody know anywhere that does one day cookery courses? I could quite fancy that.

I did a brilliant one off Persian cookery class one evening with Sabrina Ghayour at Divertimenti in South Ken, you could see what they have coming up. Leiths do lots of one day courses, or if you like Italian you could try La Cuicina Caldesi in Marylebone.

My favourites (not already mentioned) are borough market, if you want a cookery course bread ahead in borough Market do great courses. I love the globe theatre too!

Morden hall park.

Kensington roof gardens. Not always open so google first. I hit upon these in 1965 when I first came to England and they were still on the tope of Derry and Toms. They now belong to Richard Branson.

Hampstead high street is nice (if you're in Hampstead anyway) with lots of shops, cafes and pubs, a small food market and antiques market. There's also the Hampstead crepe truck which, er, sells crepes.

Yes, if you're going to wander past Kenwood down into Hampstead burgh House museum is interesting enough - has a really good cafe in the basement.

I had a Giant cheese scone, wedge of cheese, huge salad when I was there last.

Venchi gelateria is on the high street if you fancy ice cream after.

Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House - it's small enough to not overwhelm but big enough to lose a couple of hours in.

If you're heading towards Hampstead you could pop over to Waterlow Park in Highgate, which is lovely. Then a tour of Highgate Cemetery - the old part over Swains Lane is the best bit imo, it's so atmospheric and reeks of history. Elizabeth Siddal is buried there, which makes it worth a visit alone!

The Guildhall in the city is fantastic - there's world class art and of course, the ancient building itself. But what makes it truly remarkable is the Roman amphitheatre in the basement, uncovered during building work. It's one of those mad history moments - even the tiny stones on the ground are part of the original Roman building. Breathtaking.

The Guildhall is just around the corner from Postman's Park mentioned by a PP (and definitely worth a visit). It's also around the corner from The Museum of London, which while not a hidden gem exactly, is absolutely worth a visit. The melted chainmail from a house destroyed in the Great Fire is especially affecting, as are the photos of the Victorian poor. Denis Severs house also mentioned above is also nearby - in fact you could spend a whole day in the City and still have plenty left to do another time!

Museum of London also has an 'outpost' at Docklands which is also fantastic and usually quite quiet. The slavery exhibition is terribly moving.

A groundling ticket at The Globe is only a fiver, but it's easily the most fun you'll ever have at the theatre! If you've never been, I heartily recommend it.

I want a few days to pootle around London by myself now! Enjoy, OP

Chef d'atelier do group cooks - which you can book a slot on. They have a venue nr Oxford Circus and another nr St Paul's.

Alexandra Palace has an amazing view of London, as does The Shard.
Victoria Park is lovely too.

I am a North Londonder so CANNOT believe I am about to say this but Clapham Common (which I visited for the first time last year ) is also nice for a wander and a bite to eat.

I would second going to Highgate Cemetery when you go to Hampstead, it's really interesting. Hampstead Heath is lovely, I used to work near there, and often spent my lunchtime wandering - I liked going up to the hill which looks out over London, I forget it's name but it's been in so many films. There is a nice cafe by the tesco express on Swain's Lane opposite that part of the Heath too.

I really miss London now - I'm a fellow portrait gallery fan, must have walked around there at least ten times, I never got bored of the old Tudor paintings.

Horsenden Hill or Ruislip lido. Beautiful countryside on the tube.

Wonderful views from the SkyGarden - free but you have to book. skygarden.london/

If you've not been inside the Royal Opera House, go for a coffee, they have a really cool balcony overlooking Covent Garden, as well as the most amazing internal architecture in Floral Hall.

Agree Highgate Cemetery. The old part. Best thing I've ever done in London.

Haven't read the whole thread but I really loved the Pudding Lane Fire of London monument when I went up. It was only a couple of quid and not busy at all and felt quite the hidden gem.

(I was in a post-PhD euphoric haze though so it might be crap really)

This thread is amazing. Can it be moved out of chat so it doesn't disappear?

I've been on a Waitrose cookery school one day course which was really good. And it's in north London (West Hampstead/ Finchley Rd) so close to Kenwood.

Also, how about doing a London guided Walk? masses here, absolutely not just tourist stuff. I did one when I had some child free days off and did exactly the same as you - had fun by myself in London!

Don't miss Keats House if you're in Hampstead (which I see was actually voted 'Best Hidden Gem' this year ).

I haven't been for years but the writer Carlyle's house in Cheyne Walk in Chelsea was marvellously atmospheric. Dickens House too (in Doughty Street).

I came on to recommend Linley Sambourne House and the Wellcome Collection but I've been beaten to it!

On my London days out, I also went for dim sum in Chinatown, and did go to an exhibition about anarchy or something at the V&A and then had a big bit of cake in their amazing cafe, whilst listening to a live jazz pianist. It was wonderful!

Oh oh oh! Have also been on an architectural tour of the Barbican which was fab, really interesting, and made me slightly obsessed with the Barbican for a while, eg this website all about living there is fascinating.

Oh, just remembered another. There's a wonderful pub in Queen Victoria Street, just at one end of Blackfriars Bridge, called (surprise, surprise) The Black Friar. It has the most stunning Art Nouveau interior and it's a great place for a drink if you're exploring round the Tate, the Globe etc etc. on the other bank of the river.

This website has free self-guided london walks, you could use them to link together some of the places that have been mentioned. We have done a few with the kids - it's nice to look out for things that we would otherwise walk on past without a second glance.

I'm a Londoner "born and bred" but have visited very few of the places mentioned! Maybe I need to do a London bucket list!

Probably not your cup of tea, but I'm adding anyway for all the lurkers/followers.

Dh just reminded about the thames discovery programme. You can join in archeology projects along the Thames foreshore.

www.thamesdiscovery.org/events-home/

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