As much as the classic London landmarks make for great sightseeing, have you ever wondered about the stunning secret spots around the city? You might think they are few and far between, but we're here to tell you that there are definitely more than you think. With everything from the most beautifully crafted temples and derelict-turned-iconic gothic churches, to gorgeous architecture among an array of greenery (yes, it does exist in the capital), here are the 10 best secret places you won't believe are in London.
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Kyoto Garden
Tucked away in the heart of West London's Holland Park is Kyoto Gardens, a green paradise that was originally built to celebrate the upcoming Japanese Festival in 1992. The stunning park was a gift given by Japan to Great Britain to honour the friendship between the two countries (the real definition of if he wanted to, he would). When visiting, you'll be transported to a tranquil paradise that makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of the capital. The famous waterfall feature has been plastered over social media in recent years due to its beauty, and it's definitely worth a visit. Take a wander around the cobbled pathways while admiring the koi carp swimming around in the water - it's so dreamy. And to top it off, this park has its very own wandering peacocks which are a site to behold.
Arrange a top secret day out in London at this gorgeous secluded garden.
Highgate Cemetery
Branded as the 'great garden of death' when opening in 1839, Highgate Cemetery may not sound like your typical fun day out, but its incredible history and scenery will make you want the full tour. Due to the capital's population rising to more than one million in the early 19th century, as well as the cholera and typhoid outbreaks, cemeteries and churchyards were at full capacity. The London Cemetery Company stepped in and built Highgate Cemetery to try and tackle the overpopulation problem, with an extension of the gardens opening in 1860 to accommodate for even more graves. Around 170,000 people are buried here to this day, with a whole host of incredible architectural spaces within the cemetery. Have a wander up Egyptian Avenue, which was inspired by the Victorian fashion for Egyptology, or explore the magnificent mausoleum of Julius Beer - a German-born financier who use to own the Observer Newspaper and made his fortune working on the London Stock Exchange.
Egyptian Avenue has eight vaults on either side of the walkway, each holding up to 12 coffins.
Hampstead Heath Pergola and Hill Gardens
When wealthy philanthropist and politician, Lord Leverhulme, purchased a town house on Hampstead Heath called 'The Hill', he had his heart set on building an eye-catching pergola. He wanted to host grand garden parties and enjoy warm summer evenings in his gorgeous garden space (very Saltburn-esque). The Pergola was finished in 1906 and was a thing of beauty, however after the passing of Lord Leverhulme in 1925, the pergola was abandoned along with its upkeep. The City of London is working on restoring the feature, and it's still one of the most incredible pieces of architecture you can go and visit in the capital. Its faded grandeur is still very distinct, with the gardens making the perfect place to have a weekend walk.
Hampstead Heath is the perfect place for a summer picnic, but did you know about this secret spot?
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Described as Britain's first ever traditional Hindu stone temple, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a must-see if you're travelling to North-West London. Situated in Neasden, this beautiful structure was opened in 1995 and was noted as the largest Hindu temple outside of India. Today, it hosts an assembly hall, gymnasium and offices, with some likening it to a little enclosed village. This London landmark welcomes anyone to visit and walk around the grounds, and the temple advises that you'd need at least two hours to complete the full tour.
This incredible Hindu temple was once the largest outside of India.
The Berkeley Swimming Pool
Luxury five star Knightsbridge hotel, The Berkeley, is one of the most famous spots in the capital. You might not want to spend a small fortune to experience a night there, but you can make use of their gorgeous rooftop pool that's open to the public for the first time this summer. Enjoy the extravagant views of Knightsbridge while lying on a shaded sun lounger - ensure you to bring a good book too. You can also head to the bar for a seasonal spritz or fruity smoothie to enjoy on a hot summers day.
This rooftop pool is a must-visit this summer.
St Dunstan-In-The-East Church Garden
Situated halfway between London Bridge and the Tower of London is the remains of St Dunstan-in-the-East. Now a beautiful public garden, the church was first opened in 1100 during the reign of William II. Large parts of the church were destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666, and was only fully restored in the early 1800s. However, it was then severely damaged again during the Blitz in WWII, with the tower and steeple surviving the impact. Despite it never being fully restored, you can now visit the beautiful gothic ruins and surrounding gardens. Plus, they host sporadic open-air church services - ensure to bring a jacket in the colder months.
This gorgeous gothic Church has endured the Great Fire of London and The Blitz.
Crossness Pumping Station
A former sewage pumping station may not sound like an exciting day trip, but trust us when we say this place needs to be on your radar. If you hop on the Elizabeth Line to Abbey Wood, you'll find Crossness Pumping Station - a old sewage hub that was once describe by architectural historian, Nikolaus Pevsner, as "a Victorian cathedral of ironwork". It became a Grade I listed building in 1970 and is still currently under restoration, which was supposed to be finished in 2013. There's now a museum on-site that explains the deep routed history of this incredible spot, with one of the exhibitions focussed on the 'Great Stink' and the role of London's sewerage system. If you think this place looks a tad familiar, you might recognise it from Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr.
Looking for secret places to visit in London? This sewage station should be on your list.
The Viktor Wynd Museum Of Curiosities, Fine Art And Natural History
Hidden beneath The Last Tuesday Society - a quirky little absinthe bar in Hackney - is The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History. Expect the unexpected and prepare to see some of the strangest pieces of history, such as a gold-plated hippo skull formerly owned by Pablo Escobar, a plethora of taxidermy and a cabinet full of celebrity poo, including Kylie Minogue's. The museum may be small, but you can easily lose an hour or two searching around for the strangest artefacts which have all been sourced from across the world. You'll definitely be wanting a drink afterwards, so head up the spiral staircase into the bar where you can try out a traditional absinthe fountain or sip on one of their perfectly crafted cocktails.
This bonkers museum in Hackney also serves up incredible cocktails.
Buddhapadipa Temple
If you're planning on a explore around Wimbledon, then be sure to check out the Buddhapadipa Temple (translating directly to 'light of the Buddha'), one of the first Buddhist temples in the UK. The first Monks took residence at the site in November of 1965, and it was formally opened in 1966. Not only is this place a beauty from the outside, but the interior murals are also an absolute wonder. Painted by thirty Thai artists over an eight-year period, the murals relate to the life of the Buddha, whereas other paintings show the 'ten great birth stories of the Buddha'.
This beautiful temple is situated in a gorgeous garden in Wimbledon.
Mandrake Hotel Jurema Terrace
In the heart of Fitzrovia you'll find The Mandrake, an award-winning luxury hotel. Although this five-star wonder is probably already on your radar, their Jurema Terrace might not be. Enjoy everything from South American inspired dishes to botanical cocktails on this secluded rooftop, which won the best 'outdoor space' at the AHEAD Awards. The terrace transports you out of the craziness of London living into a floral paradise, especially when the sun is beaming. If you fancy spending an evening here, then be sure to book in for an early dinner as you can get 30% off the total bill between Wednesdays and Saturdays.
This five star hotel boasts a hidden jungle roof terrace to transport you out of the city.
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