London – a city famed for its recognizable monuments and busy streets, is home to a wealth of undiscovered attractions that sometimes go undetected among popular tourist destinations.
There is a universe of hidden locations that ooze beauty, and history beyond the well-known sites.
Here are the top 10 hidden Gems in London that you just must find, whether you’re a native looking for fresh experiences or a visitor trying to explore off the main road.
10 Top Secret Evening Spots in London
1. Pickering place
![Here are the top 10 hidden Gems in London that you just must find, whether you're a native looking for fresh experiences or a visitor trying to explore off the main road.](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23979415342_140c4be539_b_11zon.jpg)
It can seem strange to learn about London’s secrets in Mayfair. Because of the Ritz and Green Park, everyone knows that Mayfair is all about the vintage Spenny splendour.
That’s not incorrect. But we bet very few of you are familiar with Pickering Place.
Pickering place, which boasts the distinction of being England’s tiniest square, is one of the great locations Julianna found while researching and writing her unusual London book.
It is accessible by a small archway and is unmarked save for some faint signage that you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it.
Even while the fact is juicy, what makes the place noteworthy is the stunning Georgian architecture that appears to have been taken directly from the 18th century and the square’s shockingly scandalous past.
Like all decent and honest districts of town, Mayfair districts of town, Mayfair required a place where its citizens could let off some steam and engage in activities that may or may not have been slightly unlawful The ideal contender was Pickering Place, which was shielded from inquisitive eyes.
As a result, it frequently found itself at the core of sinister activities like bear baiting, gambling, and even duelling by elderly people.
2. Leadenhall Market
![Secret Evening Spots](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Leadenhall_Market_In_London_-_Feb_2006_rotated_11zon-1024x694.jpg)
Leadenhall market is still obscure enough to merit a place on any list of top-secret places to visit in London, even though it has gradually come to the attention of more and more people.
First, let’s address the major point:
Leadenhall was used as a filming site for Harry Potter. You can almost instantly take yourself to the world of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone if you pretend long and hard enough.
As exciting as that is, Leadenhall’s market offers much more.
The fact that a market has existed here since the fourteenth London’s most significant marketplaces, it was for butchers and fishmongers (both long since gone).
Since the 19th century, when the stunning gold and red arched architecture first appeared, high-end stores, traditional bars, and a few delectable restaurants have taken the front stage.
3. Royal Arcade
![Royal Arcade](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2022-09-13_11zon-1024x768.jpg)
Much is said about Mayfair’s beautiful shopping arcades, with much of it focusing on the famed Burlington Arcade.
However, if you pause halfway down Old Bond Street and turn your head at precisely and turn your head at precisely the perfect moment, you’ll see the entrance to the royal arcade-the most beautiful of them all.
We suppose that what you think is a hidden secret in London depends on your taste in luxury goods.
If you spend your whole life on Bond Street shopping for this season’s must-have designer find, we imagine you’ll be rolling your eyes and thinking, “Goodness, I have to go to the Royal Arcade at least three times a month.”
For the rest of you, we highly encourage strolling through and gaping at the stunning Victorian buildings. You’ll be glad you did.
4. Hampstead Hill Garden and Pergola
![Hampstead Hill Garden and Pergola](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2021-09-27_11zon-1024x768.jpg)
Located in the Golders green portion of Hampstead Heath, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful London secrets.
We won’t dive into history because was have done it in this guide:
It was constructed as the garden of a philanthropist’s garden of a philanthropist’s swank mansion where he’d entertain the hoi polloi of London society before becoming a public park later in the twentieth century.
Who cares if the finished outcome resembles the Garden of Eden, albeit with more OTT architectural flourishes?
It would be a bonus if you go during wisteria season when the mere sight of it has been known to send mature ladies into a state of joyful frenzy generally reserved for toddlers and a mountain of presents of Christmas.
5. Nunhead Cemetery
![Nunhead Cemetery](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-04-15_11zon-1024x768.jpg)
It’s so fascinating to know that Highgate is one of the ‘magnificent seven’ Victorian cemeteries that encircled what was once London’s outskirts.
That means there are six other cemeteries where you can go and get your Victorian gothic, hauntingly beautiful graveside fix (which all sounds a bit wrong really).
Of them all, Nunhead Cemetery is one of the least frequent, but also one of the most charming.
It was left to fend for itself throughout the second part of the twentieth century and has since been turned into a wildlife reserve.
Exploring entails meandering down small paths, ducking beneath trees and graves – everything is in perfect harmony.
6. London Mithraeum
![London Mithraeum](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PXL_20221218_163505878_11zon-1024x771.jpg)
Far from being the stuffy suit-fest that some people imagine it to be, The City of London’s financial centre is rich with hidden gems, including several Roman ruins.
Still, the temple of Mithras is without a doubt the greatest, because visitors are treated to a full-fledged reproduction of temple worship, replete with dimmed lights, chanting, and ambient smoke.
It’s all bizarre. The temple was devoted to the deity Mithras, who was exclusively revered by a committed (some say insane) sect of male followers who sacrificed live bulls in his honour.
As the lights get dim and chanting begins, don’t be shocked if you feel a chill go down your spine. It’s strange but in a nice way.
The Mithraeum is free to enter, however, you must reserve timed tickets to guarantee that the experience is not overcrowded.
There’s also an intriguing exhibition on the history of London from its Roman days as Londinium forwards to see, so plan ahead of time.
7. Streatham Rookery
![Streatham Rookery](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_9673-e1632805379940-1024x684_11zon.jpg)
We love chatting about Streatham Rookery.
You know, the type of smile you get when you’re trying not to humblebrag about knowing something the listener doesn’t, but you’re kind of humblebragging all the same.
Consider this one of those occasions.
What is there to boast about?
To be honest, most people haven’t heard of the Streatham rookery, and those who have mostly live in Streatham, but it’s still one of the darnedest small gardens in South London.
If it doesn’t qualify as one of London’s best-kept secrets, we don’t know what does.
The gardens, while tiny, come alive in the summer months; the white Garden here is claimed to have inspired the white garden at Sissinghurst, and there are enough pergolas and flower-filled beds to keep even the most demanding grammar occupied for hours.
8. St James Palace
![St James Palace](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/St-James-Palace_11zon-1-1024x683.jpg)
Just around the corner from the Georgian behemoth that is Buckingham Palace. There is another palace that few people have heard of.
St James’s Palace is a royal palace that dates back to the Tudor era. In reality, considerable portions of Henry VII’s original palace still stand today.
That sounds fantastic, even by London standards, where we have a relaxed attitude towards old items because there is so much of it.
So why isn’t there more of a commotion about St James’s palace? The solution is straightforward – because you are unable to enter.
St James’s palace, unlike Buckingham Palace and other royal palaces, is seldom exposed to the public. But you can see a lot of the palace buildings without stepping inside.
Simply go down the hall from Buckingham Palace and turn left into St James’s to see the palace from every perspective.
9. The Coach & Horses pub
![The Coah & Horses pub](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/our-amazing-outside_11zon.jpg)
Clear your imagination and picture an old London bar -we’re talking extremely old. How does it appear? What neighbourhood is it in? Got it?
Now you may open them. How similar did it appear to this?
Isn’t that close?
If we’re just looking at appearances, the Coach & Horses is without a doubt one of London’s loveliest pubs.
The Tuforbethan building may appear out of place in its surroundings, yet, yet it is considered to be the oldest structure on Bruton Street.
While it is a somewhat secret location, we will warn you that the locals are fully and well in the know. Because the bar only has 50 seats, you’ll need to arrive early if you want to snag a seat.
10. Distillery of London city
![Distillery of London city](https://londonevening.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_20210813_162657_11zon-1024x768.jpg)
One of the worst-kept secrets in history is London’s love of gin.
The city had such a problem with the clear stuff in the 18th century that it has its own time in history known as the Gin Craze.
Though it dropped out of vogue for a spell, gin is now back on the menu in London. There are new distilleries throughout town, but few are as good as the city of London distillery.
To begin, the City of London distillery is located on the charming St. Bridge lane, just off Fleet Street.
It gets better when you descend into its underground enclave -there’s a fantastic bar from which you can see their prized still, Betty, at work.
Ending thoughts
Discovering London’s hidden treasure provides a fresh viewpoint on this varied city. Exploring these hidden gems will expand your grasp of London’s history, culture, and creative energy, whether you’re a first-time tourist or a seasoned native.
So, wander off the main road; you never know what riches you could find!