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?

So this thread has ended up in the Travel Advice topic - as moved by MNHQ.

A previous, similar, thread was moved by MNHQ into the UK topic.

This is why a consolidated 'London' topic would be useful. Useful for people visiting London.

I'm pleased that it has now been kept for you, OP - and anyone else who'd like to refer back to it.

But, MNHQ, it's difficult for people to try to find these threads which have been dotted around various topics.

MNHQ, I refer you back to this thread in Site Stuff www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/2579538-Can-we-have-separate-board-for-London?pg=1

IIRC there are a couple(?) of medieval streets somewhere within "The City" though I maybe wrong

There are some pre-Great Fire buildings on Cloth Fair in the city, about five minutes' walk from Postman's Park/Museum of London. There's also one on Fetter Lane.

And of course, bits of the city wall pop up all over the city - there's a big chunk in the MoL grounds and some opposite the Tower.

Have a look for the Savoy chapel too, just behind the Savoy - not Mediaeval but not far off, most of it is Tudor. It's on the site of the Savoy palace which was burned to the ground during the Peasant's Revolt of 1381.

There are remainsof a temple of Mithras near St Paul's as well. 2nd century iirc

Has anyone mentioned Leadenhall market yet? It's one of favourite ones, and you can walk from there to Brick Lane or Spitalfields afterwards

Not hidden or unknown, but have been to London zilions of times and only just visited Highgate Cemetery. Lovely!

The whole area behind Kings Cross is lovely :) Granary Square.

Hi @onionringo
Would you consider asking MNHQ to move this thread to the new London topic to get it started? It would be so helpful for Londoners and visitors alike I think.