London is home to such famous landmarks that even those that have never visited the city will be aware of sites likes Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and other iconic symbols of London.
While visiting the prominent attractions on a trip is an absolute must, there also are lesser known attractions worth exploring. In fact, as many of these do not feature on guide maps and tour itineraries they tend to be underrated.
As most of the better known and hidden gems are found in the vicinity of central London, staying in the area will be convenient. Those looking for discounted hotels will find the Shaftesbury Hotels Special Offers an attractive way to stay in comfort and luxury.
The Park Grand London Kensington hotel is ideal in terms of location and has some great special offers available at different parts of the year.
Just some of the hidden treasures to explore off the beaten path include:
Leadenhall Market:
While London is home to some of the best street markets in the UK, perhaps none are as attractive as Leadenhall Market. One of the reasons for it being less visited is it is a bit hidden from the rest. The market was built in the 19th century at a spot where a market always existed since the 14th century. A completely covered market, it features a strikingly beautiful decorated roof and massive glass windows. It is picture perfect and one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. Located at Gracechurch Street, it lies in the City of London and access is via the pedestrian alleyways. It was also one of the locations for a Harry Potter movie and was the fictitious entrance to Diagon Alley.
Nomadic Community Garden:
A stroll through the garden located in Shoreditch is an amazing experience. It has a fairy tale like look and feel with graffiti-strewn over makeshift buildings, cars and walls. A great place to get cool Instagram shots, although, there is more to the place to discover! The Nomadic Gardens movement is constructively involved in changing vacant spaces into colourful vibrant gardens. These are open spaces where people can grow plants, get creative and just spend time with other community members. Considering the area was a derelict unkempt piece of property a few years ago, it has undergone an amazing transformation. There are some wonderful little cafes nearby where visitors can but a cup of coffee and set out to explore the gardens and its many delights.
Kyoto Garden:
One of the genuine natural treasures of the city, a visit to Kyoto Garden must feature on the buck list of places to visit in London. It is easy to travel to from central London. Spread over 20 hectares it is located on the estate surrounding Holland House. There was formerly a castle in the area where many aristocratic families lived until it as destroyed during WWII. The garden officially opened to the public in 1991 and is a joint endeavour between Japan and the UK to commemorate the close ties between the two nations.
