With landmarks such as Big Ben, The London Eye, The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, London is a popular destination for travellers across the world. However, there is much more to London than these famous attractions. We have listed our top 5 hidden-gems in London.
Discover what the capital city has to offer for a different experience before your next visit to London. This range of attractions are the perfect place to practice your English language skills. And with millions of visitors every year, you need not worry about your skill level.
For those who really want to build on their English language learning in London, Cactus offer a range of courses. Thanks to the close proximity of the city and interconnectivity of the UK, a day trip to London for those staying outside the city is easy and affordable.
5 Hidden-Gems in London
1. Spitalfields Market & Brick Lane
Dating back to 1197, Spitalfields Market is one of the oldest continually run markets in London. It is now famous for its traders of art, clothing and music and is popular with visitors and locals alike.
Situated in the Brick Lane area of the city, Spitalfields Market is not just limited to a small area. It is instead a vast array of stalls, vinyl stores, designer shops and food outlets. This makes Spitalfields the perfect place to spend an afternoon in the capital city.
Brick Lane itself is a hotbed for independent and designer stores with locations such as Truman Brewery in the centre. This ex-brewery itself is host to art fairs, exhibitions and other events throughout the year. The streets surrounding the Market and Brewery are canvased in street art making them an thrilling destination for amateur photographers.
2. Greenwich
Famous for being the home of the O2 Arena, Greenwich has much more to offer to the day visitor. The combination of history, natural beauty and architecture makes it ideal for those who want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Royal Observatory Greenwich is a must see for all visitors. Positioned on a hill in Greenwich Park, it is the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and commands views of the rest of the area.
Down towards the banks of the Thames you can visit The Cutty Sark. Accessible to the public for tours, this clipper ship was one of the fastest vessels of its type.
Visiting the O2 Arena itself allows you take in the scope of the world famous venue. Tours are on offer regularly as well as the option to walk over the roof of the dome! For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, there are a variety of other attractions within the complex to keep you entertained.
3. Hampstead Heath
For a tranquil afternoon in London, there is no better place than Hampstead Heath. Famous for its large open spaces, this inner city green area is also a dream for swimmers. With three different natural swimming ponds, Hampstead Heath is a destination for local open swimmers and visitors alike.
If swimming isn’t your idea of relaxation, then there is plenty of natural areas for you to unwind in. Spanning over 320 hectares, this park commands amazing views of the city and is home to plenty of wildlife.
Ideal for those who fancy packing a picnic and a book, Hampstead Heath is a beautiful area of the city to visit.
4. Aldwych Underground Station Tour
While millions of visitors use the London Underground every year, not many are aware of the vast array of disused stations on the network. You may have caught a glimpse of a platform out of the window of your carriage at points, but did you know you can visit a number of these stations?
Aldwych station is one of the most central disused stations in London which offers guided tours. These tours are run by the London Transport Museum and offer a great insight into the history of the London Underground.
Aldwych itself is located just off of The Strand and has featured in numerous film and television shows. Be advised though, this tour isn’t ideal for everyone due to the fact it takes place entirely underground. However, it is a lot quieter than visiting the majority of active underground stations!
The tour lasts for approximately 75 minutes and requires booking in advance. There are many other tours to choose from across the city. Each with their own special insights into the history of the tube.
5. The Vault
While the UK and London are famous for their historic pubs, usually named after monarchs or events in the country’s history, The Vault in Soho is slightly different.
The first ‘challenge’ to overcome when visiting this unique and snug cocktail bar is finding it. Nestled away on Greek Street, access to the bar is actually via another bar. Entering Milroys of Soho via street level, walk to the back of the bar and you will find some bookcases. This is your entrance to The Vault. One of the bookcases acts as a hidden door which allows you to access to this exclusive bar below.
While the novelty of the access to the bar is the main draw, the service provided is second to none. The limited menu means that every beverage is crafted with care and professionalism. It’s relaxed and subdued atmosphere makes The Vault the ideal destination for those looking for a quiet drink in the centre of the city.
Booking is highly recommended for this establishment due to its size and popularity, but it is very much worth it. Just make sure you can find the way in!
More information about 5 Hidden-Gems in London and how to learn English with Cactus:
Are you looking to start learning English and have full-immersive experience or discover more information about 5 Hidden-gems in London? Cactus offers a variety of English language courses in London and language holidays across the world. We also offer online language courses, language classes in the UK, and private classes.
Are you looking to find out more about English slang and want to learn English? Cactus Language Holidays Brochure gives you all the information you need for your next unforgettable experience! Learning a language have never been easier and is a great way to start uncover a different culture.
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