London hidden gems, any you’d care to share.

[LucyTamedOgres]

I’ve just found out about The Mayor of Scaredy Cat town, a bar that you enter via The Breakfast Club which I would have LOVED to explore and will do one day when child free (over 18’s only )

This then got me thinking of any hidden gems you’ve discovered and stumbled upon? Any you can recommend which would be good for a teenager too.

As we might be heading over there while it’s quiet (ish) thought it might be the prime time to explore the lesser known places, secret places, as we’ve visited many of the usual tourist attractions.

Have a look for secret London on FB.

@JaJaDingDong ooh I will, thank you!

Closed at the moment, but I once had a tour of the Bank of England as part of Open House weekend - they do have a museum, though not sure if its open right now.
Of the galleries that are open, social distancing improves going to see exhibitions immeasurably.

My teen was impressed by the tiny Petrie museum which is packed full of animal specimens.

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay agree, social distancing definitely has lots of advantages. Bank of England Museum is one to remember when it re-opens.

@DrMadelineMaxwell this looks really interesting, thank you. This is something ds would love. Sadly think it’s currently closed.

St Bart's Pathology Museum owned by QMUL.

@Goodoldfashionedploverboy what an interesting place, this is something I would love to see. No current events are running but it’s another one to add to the list.

Treadwells book shop if you’re into rare and unusual books on supernatural/occult/Wicca/fairies etc

Coal drops yard isn’t really a secret but it’s a spot that I love and seems to be not too well known. Good for street food and hip shops

Parkland Walk. Used to be a railway line but it closed in the 50s and is now a linear nature reserve from Finsbury Park to Ally Pally, with a small break in the middle at. Highgate.

Very popular with walkers, cyclists and joggers and so peaceful.

Canary Wharf is really interesting to walk around too. Especially when not busy with bankers etc

Maltby St Market is fun
The Japanese garden in Holland Park
Neals Yard

None are really secret, but all are surprising :-)

Not sure how secret it is anymore, but I used to love the Wellcome Museum of Medicine, above the Science Museum.

Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday morning!! I just love going there get breakfast, lots of lovely little shops as well, and the flower stalls just lovely.

The Crick, agree with Wellcome, the British Library, Postal Museum

Wiltons Music Hall

There's a great book called something like Secret Walks of London which we u see a lot for out of the way places.
My favorite museum is the Geffrye- Museum of the Home - in Shoreditch.

Denis Severs' house, except me and DH got the giggles which was very much frowned upon

Postman’s Park. EC1. Memorial to heroic acts of self sacrifice

So many. Try the Barbican conservatory. Free on a Sunday. Postman's Park with the monuments to victorian humanitarian heroes. A great walk would be to follow the London wall in the city. City of London museum for some really good exhibits along with the barbican library. St Luke's for the LCO concerts (and free ones often on Fridays). Spitalfields for the market and food.

Evans and Peel detective agency

Also, I didn’t go but a taxi driver told us that if you’re into stuff like the view from the shard, then the radio rooftop hotel is a good shout

Wow , interesting
I’m following this as in London soon

Not really hidden but The Old Operating Theatre at London Bridge. Not sure of opening hours though or if its open right now.

Rotherhithe river front has statues of the family of a philanthropist and a cat on the river wall .

There is an old church in the city (not sure which one, sorry) that if you go down to the Crypt (you are allowed) you will see an old Roman road .

V&A Children's museum, 1min from Bethnal Green tube. Great for kids, but as an adult, I enjoyed seeing toys and games from my childhood also

Not too far away with Victoria Park with boating lakes, cafes, gardens and just lovely to wander around

Towards Hackney (but also walkable from Bethnal Green tube) is 'The last Tuesday society'. Its a bar/absinth bar upstairs, but a quirky, odd little museum downstairs. Jam packed with all manner of weird and wondergul curiosities. Thursdays, the tickets are cheapest:
www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum-curiosities/