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We’ve all heard of London and its many iconic sights – The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and the enormous Blue Whale skeleton within the Pure Historical past Museum. Even far distant tribes within the Amazon rainforest would have heard of Huge Ben and Prince William.
However although London is among the world’s largest vacationer locations and welcomes round 22 million folks a 12 months, it nonetheless has some hidden secrets and techniques that almost all vacationers, and even locals, haven’t heard of. Discovering hidden gems and distinctive locations that different vacationers have missed is one among our biggest pleasures about journey.
We’ve visited London a number of instances, and even lived there briefly, so we’re uninterested in the standard vacationer points of interest and like to get below the floor of the town. So it offers us nice pleasure to share with you a few of our most unusual finds wandering behind the scenes in London.
On this digital age, the place each sq. inch of the world has been photographed and positioned on Google Avenue View, with the ability to uncover one thing nobody else has found is inconceivable, however we will assure that you simply’ve most likely by no means heard of no less than one of many following hidden secrets and techniques in London…
The Fire on Vincent Avenue
Throughout the Second World Battle in 1946, London was closely bombed all through an eight-month interval, famously referred to as The Blitz. It lasted over 8 months, and in that point, Nazi Germany led 57 consecutive nights of assaults, inflicting catastrophic destruction throughout the town, and killing roughly 43,000 folks.
It goes down within the historical past books as one of many UK’s biggest tragedies, and although London has been rebuilt since then, there are a number of locations in London the place remnants of this fateful time are nonetheless remembered. Well-known locations embody the Imperial Battle Museum and the older London Underground Stations comparable to Aldwych, Bounds Inexperienced, and Trafalgar Sq., however there are some lesser-known stays of this time nonetheless standing in the present day.
A kind of is the hearth left on Vincent Avenue. The East Finish of London, the place Vincent Avenue is positioned, was the worst affected by the Blitz. It’s estimated that 1 million houses have been destroyed throughout this time, and Vincent Avenue was a row of homes. A lot of these homes have been past restore, and all that is still of the unique road is that this fire, left as a haunting reminder of all that was misplaced.
Cratered Wall on the Victoria & Albert Museum
With regards to the Blitz. You will have heard of the V&A Museum, well-known for its intensive historic artwork assortment, however what most individuals stroll previous when visiting this world-class museum is the cratered wall on the surface.
On the wall dealing with Cromwell Street, and across the entrance on Exhibition Street, you may see shrapnel injury sustained to the museum through the Blitz. When the constructing underwent refurbishment, this facet of the constructing was left unchanged as a reminiscence for these enduring instances.
In 2017, the museum eliminated components of the wall to suit new gates, however the brand new gates have been put in to replicate the battle injury and embody the imprints of the shrapnel injury on the stonework. So subsequent time you go to the V&A, don’t be in such a rush to go inside.
Hannah Courtoy’s Time Machine Mouselium in Brompton Cemetery
Hannah Courtoy wasn’t anybody particular in life; little or no is understood about her aside from the truth that she had three daughters with a a lot older man, who wasn’t married to her, and controversially inherited his fortune after he died.
Residing in Excessive Victorian society, she was fascinated by the Historical Egyptians and their life and dying rituals, and had this lavish tomb with Egyptian traits constructed for her to relaxation in after her dying.
Hannah was additionally associates with a person referred to as Samuel Alfred Warner, who was an inventor. It was rumoured that he tried to persuade the British military to finance the event of among the concepts, which have been stated to be too superior to really exist. She was additionally associates with Egyptologist Joseph Bonomi, who deciphered among the hieroglyphics discovered within the Valley of the Kings, which have been rumoured to be the key of time journey.
Hannah launched the 2 males and used her inheritance to finance their secret mission – a time machine – which is rumoured to be buried together with her.
A lot of the story is concept, however the mausoleum is gorgeous. Should you go to and listen to some tapping, be sure you ask whether or not Busted’s tune 12 months 3000 went multiplatinum, and tell us within the feedback!
Eel Pie Island
Hidden between the manicured gardens of Ham Home and the banks of Twickenham, is an 8.9-acre island within the River Thames that’s the hippy, bohemian hub of desires. It was named after the eel pies that have been baked by locals and bought to river merchants, which was an business that didn’t final lengthy… however lengthy sufficient for the title to stay.
In the present day, it’s extra well-known for being dwelling to artists and creatives and was famously lived in by The Rolling Stones for 5 months. Every year, the residents permit guests to their personal island on solely two weekends a 12 months (normally in July and December). The doorways are open in order that company can go to a few of their 26 studios and expertise the inventive vibe. You’ll find out extra concerning the opening weekends via their website.
It’s accessible by a footbridge on the left financial institution, and in case you are fortunate sufficient to have the ability to go to this unique island, do not forget that though the houses are quirky and stuffed with creative expression, they’re nonetheless houses, and folks reside there. Be respectful when taking footage.
The Crossness Pumping Station
Solely in London might a sewage pumping station be lovely. Inbuilt 1865, the Crossness Pumping Station is a former sewage pumping station designed by the architect Charles Henry Driver and is understood for its decorative solid ironwork, which has been described as a “Victorian cathedral of ironwork.”
It has been open to the general public since 2016 however has particular occasion days the place particular actions are placed on for the general public. Check the website for choose Steaming Days on a Sunday, as railway lovers can experience the FREE RANG narrow-gauge railway to the Pumping Station.
London Necropolis Railway Station
Whereas with reference to cemeteries, Londoners had a really industrious method of coping with their overcrowded graveyard downside through the Nineteenth century. They constructed a railway station that was particularly designed for transporting our bodies to graveyards out of the town, as a result of London’s graveyards have been full.
The railway in query is positioned in Lambeth, on Westminster Bridge Street. It was inbuilt 1854 and was used up till 1902, when it was moved (simply down the highway) as a result of enlargement of Waterloo Station.
Though in the present day the constructing is a part of Waterloo Station, for those who stroll down the highway to 112 Westminster Street, you may see the unique ornate gates and Nineteenth-century columns utilized by the station. The constructing is fairly derelict now and, in typical London trend, is roofed in graffiti, however it’s nonetheless cool to see the unique facade from the road.
Word: As of January 2026, there’s scaffolding across the facade of this constructing, however it could have been eliminated if you go to.
Graffiti on Leake Avenue
Should you resolve to take a look at the entrance gates of the London Necropolis Railway, why not wander across the nook to Leake Avenue to see the road artwork? The graffiti right here is miles above the gang tags you’ll discover stapled to the entrance of the Necropolis Railway Station.
Leake Avenue is dwelling to the Leake Avenue Tunnel, also called the Graffiti Tunnel, and is London’s longest authorized road artwork mural. Spanning 300 metres below Waterloo Station, that is the place road artists are free to specific themselves legally and with inventive expression.
It’s consistently altering and attracts road artists from the world over. Even Banksy has a chunk right here, his 2008 Cans Pageant portray.
The Victor Wynd Museum
Have you ever ever stated to your self, “You understand what? In the present day, I actually really feel like going to see Kylie Minogue’s mummified poo.” Nicely, if that was your first thought waking up this morning, then I’m happy to inform you the place you’ll find it… together with Amy Winehouse’s poo, a taxidermy of an eight-legged lamb, and a photoframe stuffed with thinker’s faces product of toenails.
The Viktor Wynd Museum is an oddities museum within the basement of a cocktail bar in Hackney. It’s a small museum of two subterranean rooms, however it’s packed stuffed with the weirdest memorabilia you may consider. It has the most important assortment of “animal monsters” within the UK, in addition to some occult artifacts.
Should you’re a fan of the strange, this museum is about as bizarre because it comes…
The Seven Noses of Soho
You will have heard of Soho, the central London district identified for nightclubs and LGBTQ tradition. However have you ever heard of the Seven Noses of Soho?
Within the late 90s, an artist referred to as Rick Buckley needed to protest in opposition to the sudden surge of CCTV cameras unfold throughout London. On the time, many individuals have been important of them and felt that it was transitioning London into an Orwellian future the place “Huge Brother is at all times watching.”
In a sometimes British humor form of method, Buckley went out and secretly glued 35 noses onto British landmarks, lots of which have been rapidly eliminated, however seven of them nonetheless stay in Soho.
You possibly can attempt to uncover them for your self, or you may hold studying for the road names the place you may look. Should you don’t need any spoilers, scroll down now…
The noses are positioned on: Admiralty Arch, Bateman Avenue, Dean Avenue, Meard Avenue, Endell Avenue, Nice Windmill Avenue, and D’Arbly Avenue.
The Attendant, a Subterranean Rest room Cafe
Hidden bars and speakeasies are popping up in every single place, and folks love them as a result of their exclusivity and covertness make them quieter and extra intimate. We love a speakeasy, particularly ones which can be repurposed previous buildings reworked into one thing extra.
In London, there are a number of hidden bars and eating places which have seen previous buildings reworked into one thing new. The Vault is a hidden bar behind a bookcase that was a financial institution vault, and Low cost Go well with Firm is a speakeasy in an previous tailor.
One hidden restaurant that has actually taken strange to the intense is The Attendant, which is a espresso store in a former Victorian public rest room. Hidden under Fitzrovia within the gents’ bathrooms, you may sip your morning espresso in a porcelain urinal. Don’t fear, it’s been scrubbed up properly.
Learn Extra: Subterranean London: Attractions You Must
The Taxidermy of Jeremy Bentham within the UCL Foyer
Jeremy Bentham was an attention-grabbing chap. As a thinker, he was well-known for creating utilitarianism, a perfect that promotes insurance policies that promote the general good, a idea that has formed the rights and justice system. It’s solely becoming then that he be immortalised within the Foyer of UCL’s School of Legal guidelines.
Some individuals are pleased with a plaque or a bench, however Jeremy Bentham requested that his physique be preserved and displayed in his personal garments, and surmounted with a wax head (a mummified model of the actual head could be too ugly).
Though he didn’t go away his physique to UCL, it was given to the school in 1850, the place it has been displayed in a glass case ever since. In February 2020, it was relocated to the Pupil Centre on Gordon Sq., the place you may see it in the present day.
Phrase on the Water, London’s solely floating ebook store
Dun, dun, dun, dun dun, dundun, wordsssss on the waterrrrr, a fireplace within the sky. No, this isn’t a Deep Purple tribute, however London’s solely floating bookshop, positioned on the Regent’s Canal Towpath.
This unbiased bookshop could also be small, however it’s effectively curated with an unlimited assortment of second-hand books. Assume classics like C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, in addition to must-read non-fiction. And there’s additionally occasional reside music on the barge roof.
Open each day from noon to 7 pm, besides on Public Holidays, be sure you swing by and choose up a brand new learn, as we’re about to disclose to you the most effective place to take a seat and browse it close by…
We love exploring Regents Canal. Try our Ultimate Guide To Camden Town & Camden Market We advocate the boat tour along the canal from Little Venice to Camden and here’s a Regent’s Canal walking tour chances are you’ll be occupied with.
Secret Backyard of Regent’s Park
Only a 40-minute stroll from Phrase on the Water, on the fringes of Regent’s Park, is a secret backyard that most individuals don’t learn about. This can be as a result of the doorway to it seems like strolling into somebody’s home, and that is partially true, because the backyard as soon as belonged to the third Marquess of Bute, who askedarchitect Robert Weir Shultz to design a non-public meditation backyard, however when the federal government took over and needed to increase Regent’s Park, they donated it to the general public.
The backyard known as St John’s Lodge Backyard and is a fantastic, manicured backyard with benches tucked in secluded alcoves, surrounded by rose bushes and overlooking ornate fountains. Even within the top of summer season, this backyard isn’t busy and affords a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the town.
Merely end up a bench and get misplaced in ebook, listening to nothing however the sounds of birds tweeting – a rarity in London. That is additionally a relaxing place in London to check off your list.
The Smelly Plant, Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is London’s most revered botanical backyard and is legendary for its Victorian-era greenhouses. Inside a type of greenhouses, the Princess of Wales Conservatory, is a plant referred to as Titan Arum, also called the “pungent plant” or “the corpse flower,” which is so-called due to the pungent odor it releases when it blooms.
When the plant blooms, which is as soon as each 2-10 years, it releases a strong scent usually described as “rotting flesh,” which has given it the title of one of many smelliest crops on the planet.
Initially, it’s native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, however right here at Kew, it has lived since 1889 and had its first bloom exterior of Sumatra right here.
There’s one slight catch, although, it solely blooms for twenty-four hours, so you would need to time your go to completely with the intention to scent it. The final time it bloomed was June 2024, so that you’ll need to hold your ear to the bottom for the following one.
Useless Man’s Gap, Tower Bridge
That is the final morbid landmark we’ll share on this checklist, as I’m positive you don’t wish to fill all of your explorations of London with death-related points of interest, however Useless Man’s Gap is such a singular discover that we needed to share it.
You’ve most likely heard of Tower Bridge, and if not, you’ve undoubtedly seen photographs of it. It’s probably the most well-known bridge in London and an unmissable landmark.
Under the bridge (on the northern shores) is a tiled alcove that when served as a mortuary within the Victorian period. Yep, this was a spot particularly constructed by the Metropolis of London to recuperate our bodies from the River Thames, the place they might be cleaned, after which taken for identification.
Our bodies weren’t a uncommon incidence within the river throughout these days, so this non permanent mortuary was obligatory. In the present day, it’s simply an alcove, and entry to the river has been sealed off.
Listed below are among the most famous places in London to visit
The Ponds of Hampstead Heath (the place you may swim)
Hampstead Heath shouldn’t be unknown by any means. It was an space in London the place celebrities would reside away from the prying eyes of vacationers, however as with all secrets and techniques, as soon as it’s on the market, it’s out.
Nevertheless, what many individuals don’t learn about Hampstead Heath, except you’re native to London, is you can swim within the ponds.
These will not be conventional ponds stuffed with lily pads and frogs, however bathing ponds, which have been constructed as reservoirs within the seventeenth and 18th centuries, and now reworked into outside swimming swimming pools, or Lidos, because the Londoners name them.
There are three essential ponds on the Heath you may swim in (one males’s, one girls’s, and one combined), every one surrounded by woodland and areas of garden the place you may bathe between swims. You must pay for entrance to the ponds, however it’s not costly, and they’re hardly ever busy (besides throughout college Holidays in July and August).
Extra London Journey Ideas
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