🇬🇧United Kingdom · Places to discover
What to see in London?
23 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
London operates through autonomous neighbourhoods, each with its own logic: Shoreditch bears no resemblance to Chelsea, and Brixton has nothing to do with Notting Hill. The city has built itself in successive layers since Roman times, and this stratification is still readable in the architecture, accents, and markets. The British Museum or Tate Modern are not boxes to tick, but entry points into entire sections of the city.
September and October offer the best compromise between acceptable weather and reduced crowds. Allow at least four days to go beyond the surface. The Underground remains the most efficient way to move around, with a rechargeable Oyster card available from the airport. Avoid concentrating your stay on zone 1: the interesting addresses are often in zones 2 or 3, where prices drop and authenticity rises.
Landmarks & heritage
5 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Battersea Power Station
Former art deco power station with four iconic chimneys, converted into a trendy neighbourhood since 2022. The roof offers sweeping views over the Thames and Chelsea rooftops.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Landmark
Kensal Green Cemetery
London's first major Victorian cemetery (1833), resting place of Wilkie Collins and Thackeray. A surprisingly peaceful walk amongst neoclassical mausoleums overgrown with vegetation.
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Greenwich Royal Observatory
The exact location where the Greenwich Meridian passes—literally stand with one foot in each hemisphere. The hill offers one of London's finest views of the skyline.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Landmark
Tower of London
Ancient fortress housing the British Crown Jewels. Essential despite its fame—the Yeoman Warders recount its history with rare authenticity.
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Landmark
Landmark
Leadenhall Market
Victorian covered market from 1881, with red and gold painted arches, hidden in the heart of the financial City. Famous as the Diagon Alley set from Harry Potter, but primarily a vibrant hub for City workers.
Museums
1 place
6Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Museum
Sir John Soane's Museum
Former home of architect John Soane, preserved intact since 1837 with 45,000 objects crammed into a labyrinthine space. Free entry – one of London's strangest and most fascinating museums.
Religious sites
3 places
7Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Southwark Cathedral
London's oldest Gothic cathedral (13th century), often overshadowed by Westminster. Nestled between Borough Market and the Thames, it offers authentic medieval atmosphere without the crowds.
8Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Religious site
St Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's masterpiece overlooking the City since 1710. Climbing to the Whispering Gallery alone makes the visit worthwhile—the acoustics are fascinating.
9Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Westminster Abbey
Gothic abbey where English sovereigns have been crowned and buried since 1066. Poets' Corner contains the tombs of Shakespeare, Dickens and Chaucer.
Nature
1 place
10Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature
Hampstead Heath
800 acres of hills, woods and swimming ponds north of London—Londoners come here to escape the city without leaving it. The view from Parliament Hill over the skyline is the one locals keep to themselves.
Parks & gardens
2 places
11Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Park
St Dunstan in the East Garden
Ruins of a medieval church destroyed in the Blitz, converted into a public garden overgrown with ivy and roses. One of the City's most romantic and overlooked spots.
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Park
Park
Kyoto Garden, Holland Park
Japanese garden gifted by the city of Kyoto in 1991, nestled within Holland Park. Waterfall, koi carp and peacocks—a haven of peace overlooked by most visitors.
Viewpoints
3 places
13Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Viewpoint
Primrose Hill
A 78-metre hill offering the most photogenic view of London's skyline without the crowds of the Shard. Locals come at dawn—do the same.
14Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Viewpoint
Waterloo Bridge
London's most cinematic bridge, rebuilt by women during the Second World War. Cross it on foot at sunset to see Big Ben on one side and St Paul's on the other.
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street
Suspended garden on the 35th floor of the 'Walkie-Talkie', free entry by reservation. A 360° view over the City—London's best-kept secret for tight budgets.
Activities
4 places
16Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Activity
Dennis Severs' House
An 18th-century Huguenot townhouse in Spitalfields, preserved as though its inhabitants have just stepped out – lit candles, laid table, linen hung to dry. A uniquely immersive journey through time.
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Columbia Road Flower Market
Sunday flower market on a Victorian street in Bethnal Green—an explosion of colour and Cockney vendors' cries each Sunday morning. Arrive before 10am to avoid the crowds.
18Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Borough Market
London's largest food market, active since the Middle Ages. Skip the tourist stalls – seek out artisan producers and English cheesemongers to understand why Londoners return every week.
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Activity
Activity
Portobello Road Market
Notting Hill market stretching 2 km, with antiques on Saturday mornings and street food throughout the week. Real treasures lie in the stalls under Westway's arcades, not the high street shops.
More to discover
4 places
20Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Place
Leake Street Arches
Legal street art tunnel under Waterloo station, known as the 'Banksy Tunnel'. Artwork changes constantly – each visit is different, and artists sometimes work live.
21Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Place
Geffrye Museum (Museum of the Home)
Museum tracing the evolution of English domestic interiors from the 17th century to today, housed in former almshouses in Shoreditch. The historic gardens are a well-kept secret amongst locals.
22Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Place
Maltby Street Market
Producers' market under Bermondsey railway arches, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Less well-known than Borough Market, more authentic – London artisans test their creations here.
23Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Place
Crossbones Graveyard
Former medieval burial ground for the 'outcast dead' – prostitutes and the destitute – in Southwark. Transformed into a memorial garden by residents, covered with ribbons and offerings, it tells the story of a forgotten London.
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