Alternative London Sightseeing Ideas

Posted on 10 May 2017 by Anna Scott
If you don’t live in the capital then you’ve probably got a few spare quid to pay it a visit this summer, and if you do, well then, there’s probably still plenty of hidden corners you’ve yet to visit. During holiday season, the city’s most popular attractions soon start attracting very lengthy queues, and even though most of them are worth a visit at some point, it’s best to avoid during peak tourist periods. But there’s no reason you have to waste your time in the capital, because London is still full of hidden treasures if you dig a little deeper…

 

 

Smaller London Museums


It’s fantastic that we have a capital city where some of the world’s most famous museums come complete with free entry, but if you’ve already visited them many times before or don’t want to grapple with the summer crowds, there are countless small treasures to discover too. For those who love their science and nature, the Wellcome Collection and the Grant Museum of Zoology are both within walking distance of Kings Cross Station and contain plenty of curiosities, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum on a Baker Street is a must-visit for murder mystery lovers as well as Cumberbatch fans. Churchill War Rooms display the former Prime Minister’s hidden underground quarters, and those who love art history will want to pay a visit to Hogarth House in Chiswick, west London, the former residence of the famous artist. And if you want to expand your search for undiscovered treasures beyond the capital, we’ve got plenty more recommendations for places to visit across England too.

 

 

Snake British Museum


 

London Food and Drink with a Difference


As home to some of the world’s best restaurants, London isn’t exactly short of famous culinary experiences but what about something a bit more unusual, say a distillery tour? Yes, London has distilleries. In fact is has quite a few thanks to the current trend for craft spirits, and what could be more London than a gin distillery experience? Sipmiths in west London offers tours, tutored tastings and a trip to the pub afterwards, and Jenson’s at Bermondsey very handily combines its tastings with market days in the area so you can combine local food with local spirit. And long with their many gourmet food deals, Red Letter Days discount codes offer money off a number of different brewery tours (including the famous Meantime Brewery in Greenwich) if beer is more your thing.

 

Greenwich Meantime Brewery


 

Unexpected Animal Life


London is a city and cities aren’t famous for their animal life. Or are they? Well, there’s London Zoo of course, but this isn’t the only home to our furry and feathered friends in the capital. The London Wetlands Centre in Barnes (just across the river from Hammersmith Broadway) is an amazing wildlife reserve where you can wander and observe wild and water birds in their natural habitat – in fact, once your there it’s difficult to believe that central London is only a short tube ride away. More London animal life can be found in one of its many city farms, with popular ones to be found in Hackney, Stepney, Kentish Town and Hounslow.

 

Goat on a farm


 

Must-See London Markets


The most famous London markets have to be Borough (for delicious food and drink), Portobello (for pretty much anything vintage and retro), Camden (to satisfy your inner Goth) and Columbia Flower Market (for its Instagram-friendly blooms), but there are plenty of others well worth a visit on a sunny day. The London Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane has the largest collection of antique silver for sale anywhere in the world (worth a gander even if you don’t have any spare cash to spend there), Shepherd’s Bush Market is a London community market in the classic mould where you can get everything from trainers to pet food, and the covered market in Greenwich is just one of the many must-visit attractions in this gorgeous and prestigious corner of south east London.

 

Borough Market fruit stall


 

We can guarantee that it’s practically impossible to run out of things to do in London, so if you fancy giving the towers and palaces a miss, fill all your free days and then some with our alternative London recommendations.

 

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