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.

I'm copying and pasting loads from this thread, to check out next time we go!

Same - I have about a dozen new browser windows open now!

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie ooh The Dickens Inn looks lovely!

With you only going recently did you have to pre-book to reserve a seat at the pub for example?

I’ve been told to try Gordon’s Wine bar too which is based in vaulted cellars at Charing Cross.

I’ve never been and it’s always been on my list, we always run out of time though.

Thought I’d add it on here incase someone else has been and can offer a review?

We had my sister in laws wake at the Dickens Inn.... From what I can remember it was an interesting place.

I’ve now got so many places to try I’m going to have to be ruthless as we’re only going for two days this time.

Might need to go again at Christmas by ourselves!

We do Hidden London tours with TFL. They do lots of different ones but usually underneath main line or underground stations in disused or not open to the public tunnels. Not cheap, do get booked up in advance, and not currently running but otherwise excellent.

Lucy - we went at about 3 pm a weekday and just walked in. It was very quiet. The guy there told us that weekend's had been insanely busy though, and how hard it had been for staff to try to insist on people social distancing, especially outside.

I was a bit disappointed with Gordons. Churlish staff, and the food (other than the actual cheese) was all a bit sad looking/tasting.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie that’s good to know, thank you. We’re there for a couple of weekdays so might have to give it a try.

Pity about Gordon’s Wine Bar. Did you go this time or was this past experience?
@Butterer do it! I really don’t think there will be a better time to visit. We’re normally check to jowl with every other tourist so if it’s a bit quieter atm then it’s a must

We visited Gordons a couple of years ago. Hopefully we just caught it on an off day. The experience of eating in a cave was fun, and the cheese was good, but the trimmings and staff underwhelming.

If you have children and you are going to the British Museum or Covent Garden then make a detour to Coram’s Fields. It’s the site of the old foundling hospital. It’s a great playground with some animals but adults can only enter if accompanied by children.
www.coramsfields.org/park-playground/

*cheek

Two interesting small museums that are near to each other close to Hampstead Heath are the Keats House Museum and 2 Willow Road the Modernist home of the architect Erno Goldfinger (designed Trellick Tower).

@ChazsBrilliantAttitude thank you. Ds a teen now but we love the parks and open spaces so good to know about Coram’s Fields.

Following, mostly for the interesting churches!

Gordon's has been good when I've been, but usually only for booze and simple bar snacks.

If people like churches or architecture, then Westminster Cathedral (Catholic) is 5 min walk from the Abbey towards Victoria station, few tourists and is beautiful. If near Westminster and want somewhere to eat, go down Strutton Ground - the market stalls are mainly absent but there's a good sushi place and busy Turkish and Italians at the end. Also Regency Cafe down towards Pimlico - classic tiled caff but best breakfast in London).

Graffiti tunnels under Waterloo Station. Google Leake Street tunnels. My kids loved taking photos there.

Also took my teenage son to sit in at some trials at the Old Bailey. Possibly a bit depressing but he found it very interesting to see how the legal system works in a trial.

Apologies, just reread your post again - the Old Bailey not a good suggestion during coronavirus...!

For interesting churches, try

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity,_Sloane_Street

which is in Arts and Crafts style

(has a pop up Christmas card for charity, if you're doing Xmas shopping on King's Road)

@ShakeaHettyFeather now that’s somewhere we’re going to have to try, dh loves a good breakfast!

Need to pay a visit to some of the churches mentioned. Are most free to just pop along or do you pre-book? I know St Paul’s & Westminster Abbey require you to buy tickets. Like the sound of Holy Trinity @EdithWeston

@Dafspunk I might pop in to the Ten Bells next week! Are there original features remaining?

Talking of pubs, The Churchill Arms is beautiful at Christmas 🎄 I’ve never been other times of the year but it looks equally splendid. Never been in to eat, mixed reviews on Tripadvisor but SIL had a Thai dish in there and said it was lovely.

Google it, the outside is decorated so beautifully.

Another extraordinary church interior is All Saints, Margaret Street not far from Oxford Circus. Guaranteed to blow you away. It was designed by William Butterfield and is Grade I listed - John Betjeman was one of its great champions. Doesn't look like much from outside but inside...... wow

@HildaTablet can you just walk in?