1. Columbia Road Flower Market
Open every Sunday morning (from 8:00AM - 2:00PM), the Columbia Road Flower Market is a staple of East London, and an experience out of an old-timey movie. Flower vendors yell their prices in Cockney accents and try to call you over to their stalls, and there are vibrant colors everywhere. Everyone was super friendly and open to us taking photos - and a couple of vendors invited me back to come into their stands! As a bonus, a lot of them take credit cards now, so there is no need to scramble for cash.
Exploring London's lesser-known attractions often means traveling between different neighborhoods. For groups, minibus hire in London provides a comfortable and flexible way to create your own sightseeing itinerary while enjoying the city at your own pace.
Where To Stay Nearby: Andaz London Liverpool Street - Stay beside Liverpool Street for Rake’s bar and easy access to Shoreditch and East London.
What To Do Nearby: Shoreditch graffiti workshop and street-art walk - Try spray-painting techniques yourself after exploring street art around Shoreditch and Hoxton.
2. Rakes Cafe Bar at the Andaz
This beautiful restaurant on the street level of the Andaz London Hotel is great at all times - and particularly beautiful in the morning. They have a great weekend brunch, craft cocktails, full dinner service, and late-night bites - and the decor is stunning. Rakes Cafe Bar is a great place for photos, and an underrated gem of an Instagram spot.
Where To Stay Nearby: Andaz London Liverpool Street - Stay beside Liverpool Street for Rake’s bar and easy access to Shoreditch and East London.
What To Do Nearby: Jack the Ripper history walk - Explore nearby Whitechapel and Spitalfields on an evening walk focused on Victorian London’s notorious unsolved murders.
3. Mr. Fogg's Gin Parlour
You've already seen the Churchill Arms a million times - now try Mr. Fogg's Gin Parlour. We found this pub with some friends and entered through the side - not even seeing how beautifully decorated the front entrance was. The downstairs is a wildly decorated pub - with British flags, bird cages, model ships, and everything else you can think of hanging from the ceilings. The top floor looks like a 1920's parlor room, complete with costumed bartenders, vintage hats for you to wear at every table, and some of the most original cocktails I have ever tried.
While you're at it, don't miss their sister bar, Mr. Fogg's House of Botanicals. We ran out of time and didn't have the chance to visit here, but the decor and cocktails look just as stunning.
Where To Stay Nearby: Sofitel London St James - Stay near St James’s Park and Piccadilly, a convenient base for central London photo walks.
What To Do Nearby: Covent Garden and Soho food tour - Continue around Covent Garden and Soho with a guide for a selection of food and drink tastings.
4. Tower Bridge - from St Katharine's Pier
Tower Bridge is, of course, an icon of the city, but the bridge itself is always crowded. When wandering, we found St Katharine's Pier next to the bridge - it was empty, and the views were perfect!
Where To Stay Nearby: Shangri-La The Shard, London - Stay above London Bridge at the hotel that houses GŎNG, with skyline views and the river close by.
What To Do Nearby: Tower of London early-entry guided tour - Pair your Tower Bridge photos with a guided visit to the historic fortress nearby.
5. Saint Aymes Cafe
You have seen a million photos of the iconic Peggy Porschen Cafe - Instead head over to Saint Aymes, next to Hyde Park, for a gorgeous cafe front, sweet treats, and unicorn lattes. After, take a walk around the neighborhood - the homes and doorfronts all around here are beautiful; and I found even more great spots all through the Notting Hill neighborhood from this walking tour guide!
6. Somerset House
The neo-classical building, built in the 18th century, is iconic, beautiful, and surrounded by cobblestones. In the warmer months, Somerset House hosts concerts, films, and art exhibitions, and in the winter, there is a glowing, lit-up ice skating rink in the center of the square.
Where To Stay Nearby: Sofitel London St James - Stay near St James’s Park and Piccadilly, a convenient base for central London photo walks.
What To Do Nearby: Westminster to Greenwich sightseeing cruise - See London’s riverside landmarks from the Thames on a cruise departing from Westminster.
7. Columbia Road Shops
On Sundays, Columbia Road is dominated by the flower market, but the other 6 days of the week, the local shops, cafes, boutiques, and artists workshops are in full view. The neighborhood feels so much more local, independent and quieter than most of the rest of London, and is well worth a visit.
Where To Stay Nearby: Andaz London Liverpool Street - Stay beside Liverpool Street for Rake’s bar and easy access to Shoreditch and East London.
What To Do Nearby: Sunday markets walking tour - Visit Columbia Road’s flower market and other East London markets with a local guide on a Sunday walk.
8. GŎNG Bar at the Shangri-La
Located on the 52nd floor of The Shard, the Shangri La's Gong Bar has some of the most amazing views in all of London - and also some of the most innovative cocktails we've seen. The entire Shangri-La London hotel is absolutely stunning, but if you don't have the budget for a night at the hotel, a stop at the bar is well worth it.
Where To Stay Nearby: Shangri-La The Shard, London - Stay above London Bridge at the hotel that houses GŎNG, with skyline views and the river close by.
What To Do Nearby: The View from The Shard admission - Go higher in the same landmark for panoramic views from The Shard’s public observation levels.
9. Brunch at Sofitel St James Hotel
The Sofitel St James is a stunning, oh-so-London hotel located in the Westminster neighborhood. Stop by their ground-floor restaurant for a great brunch and this gorgeous interior - or check out the adjacent all-pink tea room for High Tea!
Where To Stay Nearby: Sofitel London St James - Stay near St James’s Park and Piccadilly, a convenient base for central London photo walks.
What To Do Nearby: National Gallery guided tour - Walk to nearby Trafalgar Square for a guided introduction to the National Gallery’s paintings.
10. Kynance Mews
The Mews (old stable-lined streets converted into homes) are some of the most beautiful streets in all of London - and my absolute favorite thing about the city, and Kynance Mews was by far my favorite. We visited here in the dead of winter, but in the warmer months, the street is full of bright leaves and colorful flowers hanging from every building.
Where To Stay Nearby: The Kensington Hotel - Stay in South Kensington, close to Kynance Mews and the neighborhood’s museums.
11. St James’s Park
Just a quick walk from Westminster Abbey, we found so many unexpected sites in St James’s Park - flocks of birds, ponds, and cottages that looked right out of the Countryside.
Where To Stay Nearby: Sofitel London St James - Stay near St James’s Park and Piccadilly, a convenient base for central London photo walks.
What To Do Nearby: Westminster Abbey and central London walking tour - Explore Westminster’s landmarks with a guide and visit the abbey on the selected tour.
12. East London
The original home of the makers of London, the craftspeople, artists, and local shops have always made this neighborhood their home. Now, East London is the city's center of street art, and home to the hip Shoreditch neighborhood - full of cafes, independent shops, and cool cocktail bars. Check out the graffiti and shops on Brick Lane, the local designers at Spitalfields Market, and cheap eats from around the world at Brick Lane Food Hall.
Where To Stay Nearby: Andaz London Liverpool Street - Stay beside Liverpool Street for Rake’s bar and easy access to Shoreditch and East London.
What To Do Nearby: East End street art walking tour - Explore the East End’s changing murals and street art with a local guide.
13. King's Cross Station
A must-visit for every Harry Potter fan! But skip the massive crowd at Platform 9 3/4 and wander around the rest of the beautiful and iconic station - there are so many amazing details and photo spots here that still feel like you are on your way to Hogwarts - with no crowd to deal with.
Where To Stay Nearby: The Standard London - Stay opposite St Pancras and beside King’s Cross for striking station architecture and easy rail connections.
Get Inspired:
Shopfronts are always a good idea.
Saint Aymes Cafe
The Shops and Streets of Shoreditch
Beautiful stoops and doorways around Hyde Park
Mr. Fogg's Gin Parlour is not to be missed!
Rakes Cafe Bar at the Andaz Hotel
Brunch at the Sofiel St James
Making friends at the Columbia Street Flower Market
Countryside or St James Park? It's St James.
King's Cross Station
Late night pubs
Another option for Tower Bridge - but get there first thing in the AM or be stuck in a huge crowd!
Gong Bar: best view in the city
Kynance Mews
Or if all else fails... any red phonebooth will do!
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