Everyone’s been to Big Ben, so ditch the guidebook and discover the capital’s lesser known attractions. WORDS: Trevor Paddenburg & Daniel Landon
The English poet and author Samuel Johnson once said: “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. He definitely had a point. After all, you could spend a lifetime exploring London’s nooks and crannies without having to see the same spot twice. If you’ve ticked off all the capital’s main sights and need a little inspiration for further exploration, follow the four points of the compass to find some of London’s hidden gems.
North
Highgate Village is a fabulous area and one of the few elevated parts of London. The atmospheric Highgate Cemetery is definitely worth a wander through, and check out the famous ye olde pub, The Flask on Highgate West Hill.
Hampstead Heath is in all the guide books, but Hampstead village, centred around the Hampstead Heath Overland train station, is a charming area that’s as close to a country town as you’ll get in London.
The homes of poet John Keats and pyscho-babbler Sigmund Freud are also in the area. Hampstead also has some of the world’s most expensive homes — jump off the Tube and explore the back streets to see how the other half live.
South
Herne Hill, which is just above Brixton, has some cute restaurants and old-school outlets along its main street, including art shops, bric-a-brac stores, bakeries and the very funky Café Provencal. Nearby is Moonbow Jakes coffee bar where you can listen to live music, poetry and performance.
With its tennis courts, restaurant, duck pond and open-air lido, hilly Brockwell Park will make you feel like you’re in the country. Bring your stack hat too: the park has a killer BMX track.
East
Known as being one of the grungier parts of the capital, Hackney is a great place to visit if you want to feel like a real Londoner. Stop at Broadway Market (a wholesome farmers’ market) where there’s loads of great food options. It is also home to a vintage market on Saturdays, which buzzes with fashionistas in their tight jeans and Ray-Bans, sitting outside the pubs with beer in hand at 11am.
London Fields, to the left of Hackney Road off the canal, is a cool park with the local favourite boozer, Pub on the Park, and the London Fields Lido if you fancy a swim.
Whitechapel, Shoreditch and Hoxton are some of the funkiest parts of London. If you haven’t checked them out yet, stick ’em at the top of your list.
There are numerous super-cool art galleries in the area between Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane — go on a Thursday for late-night openings.
It’s also a top place for fashion with lots of vintage shops and venues for up-and-coming designers to sell their threads.
In nearby Bow the Roman Road market has lots of second-hand designer fashion and cheap stuff.
West
It’s well worth meandering the genteel streets in Richmond. From Richmond Green, stroll past the historic homes towards the river to the White Cross pub — it’s so close to the Thames you’ll need to use a side door at high tide.
Next to Richmond Bridge is a grassed riverfront area with cafés and a small but tasty farmers’ market on Saturdays.
Head up stately Richmond Hill to Richmond Park — a massive expanse of woodland and greenery where you can easily escape London’s crowds, and will more than likely encounter a herd of red deer.
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are beautiful, lush landscaped gardens. Most visitors just see one of the conservatories and a fraction of the grounds, but you could spend all day wandering further afield and feel like you’ve (almost) got the place to yourself.
Other secrets in the City
Markets not on the map
You know the main markets, now check out these hidden gems. Billingsgate Fish Market is a real eye opener and great if you’re chasing the catch of the day for dinner, though you’ll have to rise early — it opens at 4am.
Smithfield is London’s biggest meat market and well worth a gander, though with literally tons of meat on offer, it ain’t the place for vegetarians.
Nifty nights out
You’ve done the local one too many times. For a different night on the town, try Scrap Club (Electro Werks), where you can choose your weapon and trash PCs, pianos and washing machines with beats pumping in the background.
Otherwise dig out your dick togs or riding boots for Sports Rave (Platinumbar) or head along to Starkers (Starkers Club), London’s first naturist club. Remember to leave your kit at the door.
Swap-A-Rama Razzmatazz (Favelachic) is all about swapping your clothes with other clubbers while Club Smack is a fetish night not for the faint-hearted (www.club-smack.com).
If all of this seems too exciting, try Miserable Clubbing, with its melancholy pop and ‘speed hating’ (Feeling Gloomy).
Shopping spree
Ditch the High Street clones and indulge yourself in some fabulous statement knitwear at the wonderful Weardowney boutique (Wear Downey). As specialists in wool dresses and cardigans that drape seductively over bare shoulders, all pieces are made to order.
If quirky shoes are more your thing, the Tracey Neuls TN29 boutique will blow you away (TN29). Stunning, hand-sculpted shoes with chic details, cut from rich fabrics, will seriously up your fashion game.
Ladies who love corsages and customised detail should visit VV Rouleaux in Sloane Square for London’s best selection of satin ribbons and fabric flowers (VV Rouleaux).
Good grub
You’ve eaten at Brick Lane, now try the real taste of the subcontinent in Southall. It’s home to a huge Punjabi population and a wealth of traditional Indian restaurants.
Meanwhile, authentic Lebanese restaurants are as thick as the shisha smoke on Edgware Road.
For good north African cuisine, follow your nose to Little Morocco in Ladbroke Grove.
Bored? Check these out
Museums
Sigmund Freud’s family home in Hampstead is one of the city’s weirdest museums (Freud).
For something more macabre, the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons (www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk) contains floors of bottles full of specimens, while the preserved body of philosopher Jeremy
Bentham is on display in University College London (UCL).
Telly ads usually annoy the crap out of us, but for insight into the marketing world check out the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising (Museum of Brands).
Parks
For a change of scenery pop into the Chelsea Physic Garden, which boasts the largest fruiting olive tree in Britain, or for secret garden charm and views over the city visit Waterlow Park in north London.
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the largest public square in London, is perfect for a picnic.
For quiet contemplation duck into Postman’s Park in the City.
And if Wimbledon Common is too boring, try labyrinthine Cannizaro Park nearby.
Fitness classes
Run? Gym? Boring! Brush up your killing skills instead at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Carls On Gracie Team), or bring out your inner warrior with Samurai sword classes (www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk).
For something more mellow, try African contemporary dance classes at the Islington Arts Factory (Islington Arts Factory).