There is so much more to London than the pomp, ceremony and major tourist attractions. Once you’ve satisfied your appetite for all the ‘must do’ guide book activities, dive a little deeper, jump on the tube or a bus, and see what else London’s streets, stations, canals, parks and alleyways have to offer.
Here are 9 of my favourites, and if you want even more, check back for Part 2
1. Mystery Picnic – Hampstead Heath
Amble your way along Hampstead Heath and discover its quirky alleyways, shops and eateries as you solve personally curated clues and riddles that take you on a journey to collect bit by bit, special gourmet food items for your picnic. Each clue you solve leads you closer to your next picnic food pickup and even closer to your final stunning picnic location.
This is a fun, self-guided food adventure experience where you will discover unique food, places and attractions in the destination. We’ve chosen Hampstead because of its close proximity to to the city, its open green space and stunning views.
For more information and other Mystery Picnic Locations visit Amazing Co.
(Get there: Take the Northern Line to Hampstead then walk 10 mins)
2. Princess Diana Memorial Garden
The Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace was originally created in 1908 at the instigation of King Edward VII, and is a fitting place for a memorial to Princes Diana. The Princess of Wales was particularly fond of the Sunken Garden, and during her residence at Kensington Palace, would often visit to see the flowers.
“While she was in residence at Kensington Palace, Diana, Princess of Wales regularly admired the changing floral displays in the Sunken Garden and would always stop to talk with me and the other gardeners who cared for it.” Graham Dillamore, Deputy Head of Gardens and Estates at Historic Royal Palaces
To mark the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017 the palace’s gardeners transformed the space into The White Garden in her memory, introducing many of Diana’s favorite flowers: forget-me-nots, lavender, sweet peas, 100 dahlias, tulips and, of course, white and cream roses.
This is a beautiful garden to visit, with ‘The Orangery‘ dining room conveniently located nearby. Set in a garden pavilion built for Queen Anne in 1704, it serves lovely lunches, high teas and delicious cakes.
(Get there: Take the Circle and District Lines to High Street Kensington & walk 10 mins to Kensington Palace Entrance)
3. Platform 9 3/4 & The Harry Potter Shop
As any fan of the Harry Potter series will tell you, King’s Cross Station is where the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry caught the Hogwarts Express.
Sounds simple, but in order to board the train, Harry and his friends had to barrel at speed through a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10 (i.e. Platform 9 3/4), pushing their luggage trollies loaded high with bags,wands and a bird cage or two.
To us muggles this launching spot not as easy to locate, as platforms 9 and 10 are separated by train tracks, so the kind folk at Kings Cross Station have created a life-like replica of the platform 9¾ wall in the station concourse.
You can’t miss it. Look for a luggage trolley embedded in the wall, and a very long line of people waiting patiently for their go at the famous trolley-through-the-wall photo opportunity, and you have arrived. You can take photos yourself, or have a professional photograph take for you (9am-9pm daily). They will even supply you with a scarf to wear in your favourite house colours. Afterwards, view and purchase your pics in the Harry Potter Shop next door.
Styled to resemble Ollivander’s Wand Emporium, the Harry Potter Shop has all your wizarding world supplies, so stock up on time turners, horcruxes and games, as well as Hogwarts school jumpers or a full set of robes while you’re there.
(Get There: The Circle, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Northern, Metropolitan and Victoria Lines all go to King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station)
4. Walk to London Zoo via Regents Canal
Take the tube from anywhere in London to Camden Town Station for a really enjoyable waterside stroll along Regents Canal to London Zoo. From the station, head towards Camden Market, and once you have negotiated the pulsating streets of Camden, go down the steps and under the bridge spanning Regent’s Canal. From here the pace relaxes, the crowds disappear and it becomes a peaceful walk along the canal to Regents Park and the zoo.
Regents Canal is a 19th century 8.5 mile stretch of water comprising 12 locks, running from Paddington to Limehouse Basin on the River Thames. But today you will only wander along a small section of it.
It’s an interesting walk. You’ll pass under low bridges, so tattooed with garish, bright graffiti, that they look like giant outdoor art galleries, and then in stark contrast, are the gentle waters of the canal, bobbing with houseboats and peacefully paddling ducks. There are reflections of nature everywhere along its pretty, almost still surface.
As you walk past elegant white mansions perched atop neatly manicured lawns falling gracefully down to the water’s edge, you’ll see weeping willows, white wooden bench seats, neatly trimmed hedges, and towering ancient oaks. It is an awesome sight. You’ll even pass the Zoo’s giant Snowdon Aviary on your way.
In no time you’ll find yourself wrapped amidst the tranquility of Regent’s Park. Stop at the The Boathouse Café near Hannover Gate, for a coffee and a rest, then head into the park to explore. Don’t miss Queen Mary’s Gardens (Inner Circle), with its 400 varieties of roses, and the Japanese Garden Island nearby.
It’s easy to spend all day at this beautiful park, but the lions are roaring, so it’s time to head to the zoo, just a one minute walk via the Outer Circle.
(Get There: Take the Northern Line to Camden Town Station + 1 min walk to Regents Canal)
5. Promrose Hill & views of London
Primrose Hill is a compact, village-like area famed for its beautiful Victorian and Georgian houses and picturesque streets awash with pastel coloured Regency townhouses. Its namesake hilltop park, first opened to the public in 1842, and has commanding panoramic views over Regent’s Park and the city beyond. The summit features a York stone edging with a William Blake inscription which reads: “I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill.“
An oak tree, known as “Shakespeare’s Tree” stands on the slope of the hill, first planted in 1864 to mark the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. A replacement tree was re-planted in 1964.
Upmarket delis, chic eateries, and boutique fashion stores cluster along Regent’s Park Road, and the surrounding streets are dotted with gastropubs and tea rooms. Primrose Hill is reachable via the Regent’s Canal towpath from Camden Market, and another great spot for a picnic.
(Get There: Take the Northern Line to Chalk Farm + 6 min walk, or to Camden Town Station + 13 min walk)
6. The Shard – Dine, Drink & Skyline Views
Offering the best views of London, whether you’re seeking a restaurant or bar for impromptu drinks, a romantic dinner for two, or celebrating with friends, The Shard‘s drinking and dining destinations offer it all……
TING – TĪNG (derived from the Chinese word for Living Room) Lounge and Restaurant serves signature and modern dishes with an Asian twist. On Level 35 in Shangri-La Ting offers breathtaking views to dine by.
AQUA SHARD – A stunning contemporary British restaurant and bar with floor to ceiling windows and 360 degree views, situated on Level 31. Open for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and weekend brunch.
SKY LOUNGE – this elegant lounge boasts breath-taking views of London and offers a delectable menu of light bites, luxury Sunday Brunch and an impressive selection of drinks including signature Veuve Clicquot cocktails. (Level 34 in Shangri- La)
GONG – The perfect place for sunset drinks and late-night cocktails with panoramic views of London’s iconic landmarks. Featuring traditional Chinese architecture, the space is divided into intimate chambers, with a cocktail bar, champagne bar and a swimming pool. (Level 52)
OBLIX – Inspired by the New York skyline, Oblix offers sophisticated urban casual dining split across two different spaces offering views across central London from East to West. Oblix West – a refined, urban dining space with a variety of menu options from brunch to dinner. Oblix East – an eclectic mix of innovative dishes and award winning cocktails and afternoon tea, live music and DJs, tasting menus and bar takeovers. What’s on at Oblix (Level 32)
HUTONG – named after Beijing’s ancient hutongs (narrow lanes) which crisscrossed the city. Hutong offers cuisines of Northern China, with signature dishes such as Red Lantern soft-shell crab, Crispy de-boned lamb ribs and Roasted Peking duck (considered to be the best in London), as well as the beautiful Shanghai Bar with its traditional Chinese interior and panoramic views over the skyline. (Level 33)
(Get There: Take Northern or Jubilee Lines to London Bridge Station + a few minutes walk)
7. Harrods – Shop, Dine, Drink….. Repeat
Harrods is a name synonymous with sophisticated shopping and high end international brands, but did you know that to dine at Harrods is to feast also on the world’s most exceptional cuisines? With 23 restaurants, cafes and bars located in and around the store, the hungry shopper is spoilt for choice!
On offer are the culinary delights of several Michelin-starred chefs, including Jason Atherton, Tom Kerridge, Angelo Musa and Gordon Ramsay. Each have opened a restaurant at Harrods within the past two years, with Björn Frantzén and Dave Pynt launching soon.
Together, with the likes of Em Sherif, Vineet Bhatia, Chai Wu, Pasta Evangelists, Moët & Chandon, Baccarat, Tiffany & Co. and a 170-strong team of the country’s most promising and talented in-house chefs, your taste buds are sure to be delighted.
Click here to see the complete list of venues offering everything from cocktails, high tea, tempting tapas, authentic Asian cuisine, to fine dining and even fish and chips. The perfect end (or beginning) to an unforgettable session of retail therapy at Harrods.
Harrods’ 23 Cafes, Restaurants & Bars – The List
(Get There: Take the Picadilly Line to Knightsbridge Station + 7 min walk)
8. Dukes Bar – Ian Flemming drank here (shaken not stirred)
“The hotel bar which some say concocts one of the world’s best martinis” – New York Times.
The legendary Dukes Bar lies almost secreted away inside the luxury Dukes Hotel (c1908) on St James in Mayfair. It is said that author Ian Flemming was a frequent visitor here, and that the bar was the inspiration for James Bond’s now classic Vodka Martini “shaken, not stirred”.
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother is rumoured to have been a regular at Dukes as well as Diana, Princess of Wales, who had “a small table in the drawing room permanently reserved” for afternoon tea.
Today, head Bartender Alessandro Palazzi is almost as famous as the ice cold martinis he serves, which he artfully concocts to your liking on a rosewood trolley at your table. The Vesper Martini is the Dukes Bar “signature drink” and includes five shots of gin. Sensibly, a two-drink limit is imposed, and rigorously adhered to.
As American humourist James Thurber once said “One is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.”
This quintesessentially British bar is elegantly intimate, with a Drawing Room, Cognac and Cigar Garden, as well as dining options at the “Great British Restaurant” nearby in the hotel. The dress code is smart casual, the martinis are strong and oh-so-icy cold and your night out in Mayfair is guaranteed to be one to remember. Cheers!
(Get There: Take the Jubilee, Picadilly or Victoria Lines to Green Park Station + 8 min walk)
9. Ye Olde Mitre – 1546 Historic London Pub
Squirrelled away down the narrow alleyway that links Ely Place and Hatton Garden, you’ll find Ye Olde Mitre, an atmospheric, oak-pannelled Grade II listed public house, originally built as a tavern in 1546 for the servants of the Bishop of Ely. It was rebuilt as stands today in 1773, and refurbished in the 1930s, and is one of the oldest pubs in London. Just inside the door, behind glass, is an old cherry tree built into the structure, which is said to have been the maypole Elizabeth I and her favouriite subject Christopher Hatton once danced around.
Ye Olde Mitre takes traditional pub-keeping very seriously and supplies a wealth of real ales on tap as well as classic pub food such as meat pies and home-made bar snacks. It’s highly atmospheric and a great place to soak up some Elizabethan history while downing a pint and one of their famous toasties.
1 Ely Court, Ely Place, Holborn, London EC1N 6SJ
(Get There: Take the Central Line to Chancery Lane Station + 6 min walk)
Further Reading:
Pixsell Travels 
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