A while ago, I posted a list of 10 Hidden Gems in London. It included some charming locations that aren’t well known amongst tourists, and perhaps some that even locals don’t know about. Today, I’d like to bring you another 9 hidden gems in the British capital. Even if you live in London yourself, there’s a chance that you haven’t heard of some of these, so come and have a read.

1. The Hill Garden And Pergola

Let’s start with the amazing pergola garden in north London, close to the famous Hampstead Heath. I have been to Hampstead Heath – a large green open space in north London – numerous times, and it’s always full of visitors, especially on sunny days. But right next to Hampstead Heath, there’s another, smaller park – Golders Hill. There, you can find the Hill Garden and Pergola – a place that feels like a mysterious, secret garden.

The garden changes throughout the year as new plants and flowers take over, so it’s worth visiting it in different seasons. The pergola is pretty big, and you can walk around the ground level, as well as through the pathway at the top. I particularly loved the purple wisteria flowers, which are one of my favourite plants commonly found in the UK.

Unfortunately, there are often handfuls of influencer-wannabes in the Pergola garden, occupying the most picturesque spots for hours with photography equipment and mounds of clothes. I recommend visiting the Hill Garden at less busy times if you can.

Bonus hidden gem: on the other end of Golders Park there’s a mini zoo, free to visit. It’s only home to a few species of animals, like deer and some birds, and it’s probably not worth visiting it specifically. But if you happen to be in the area, visiting Hampstead Heath and the Pergola, why not visit the mini zoo as well! Kids will definitely enjoy it.

2. leadenhall market

The next hidden gem is located in a very central location – right in the heart of the City of London, the business district with the tallest of skyscrapers. Not particularly well hidden, considering that it’s just off the main road, but if you walk past it whilst deep in a conversation, you might miss it.

The architecture of Leadenhall Market is beautiful. It feels like a journey back in time, to the Victorian era. There are pubs, restaurants and shops there, and they can get quite busy during peak hours. If you’d like to take good photos of the Leadenhall Market, I recommend going there early in the morning on a weekend, as the City of London becomes a bit of a ghost town on Saturdays and Sundays.

And if the stunning architecture isn’t enough, there’s one more special thing about Leadenhall Market. It featured in the first Harry Potter film, playing the role of Diagon Alley! It’s a must-visit place for any Harry Potter fan coming to London.

3. holland park

A lot of people around the world can probably name Hyde Park as London’s most famous park. Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and Regent’s Park are amongst other green spaces often visited by tourists. But there are many other beautiful parks in London – some of them not so well known to the Londoners themselves, or at least not all of them.

I first heard about Holland Park about two years after I moved to London. It’s not huge, but it quickly became one of my favourite spots in central London (more towards the West side of central London).

Holland Park has a stunning Japanese Garden, with a small cascade and a pond with large Koi fish. There is also a small rose garden in Holland Park, and rich wildlife. You can expect to see lots of grey squirrels and some majestic herons. There is also a resident peacock, usually surrounded by a large group of park visitors.

I wrote a post about Holland Park before, you can read it here.

4. barbican conservatory

If you love plants, Barbican Conservatory is the place for you. Located at the top level of Barbican Centre, it’s an indoor garden with lots of old, lush plants – including some of the largest Monstera plants I’ve ever seen.

Barbican Conservatory has odd opening times, which change all the time – it makes it a bit challenging to visit. It’s most often open during the day on weekends, as well as some Friday evenings. Tickets are free, but they sell out quickly. If you’d like to visit the Barbican Conservatory, your best bet is keeping an eye on their website: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/visit-the-conservatory .

5. chelsea physic garden

Another plant-related hidden gem in London is the Chelsea Physic Garden. It’s quite small, but intriguing – it’s home to lots of medicinal herbs, as well as some toxic plants – to showcase the subtle differences between plants that can help us, and those that can be lethal.

If you’re a keen botanist or a person interested in traditional medicine, the Chelsea Physic Garden might be the perfect place to visit. You can read about my visit to the Chelsea Physic Garden here.

6. God’s Own Junkyard

I first learnt about God’s Own Junkyard a few years ago, but I only visited it for the first time a few weeks ago. It immediately became one of my favourite less-known places in London! This unusual art gallery is filled with hundreds – if not thousands – of neon signs. It’s located quite far from the centre, and will require a bit of a trip – but it’s worth it. Entrance is completely free, and there’s a small cafe/bar on site if you fancy a drink or a snack in an unusual setting.

7. wwt wetland centre

WWT Wetland Centre, located in south-west London, is home to numerous species of birds. It’s a peaceful haven where you can completely forget that you’re still in one of the most populated cities in Europe. If you’re a Londoner craving a quiet day out – the WWT Wetland Centre is a great choice. I wrote a post about WWT Wetland Centre before, have a read if you’d like to learn more about it.

8. Garden at 120

You may have heard of Sky Garden – a famous viewing platform in the City of London, with an indoor garden. It’s a beautiful place, with fantastic views, and I definitely recommend visiting it. However, it might not be possible if you don’t plan ahead – Sky Garden tickets are free but sell out quickly, and need to be booked a few weeks in advance. So, what do you do if you happen to be in the area and fancy a nice view?

This is where Garden at 120 comes into play. It’s a free-to visit rooftop garden, right next door to the more famous Sky Garden. It’s not as high up and the views aren’t equally spectacular, but there’s one great thing about Garden at 120 – it doesn’t require advance booking. They only have walk-in tickets, and you can usually get in very quickly. It’s a great option for a warm day, as it’s entirely outdoors. Definitely worth a visit!

9. London’s Smallest Sculpture – Philpot Lane Mice

The last hidden gem in London that I wanted to include in this post is one of London’s smallest sculptures. Located on Philpot Lane, these two mice carrying a piece of cheese are tiny. You won’t spot them if you’re just passing by. The sculpture has its own pin on Google Maps though, which can help you find them. Located a few metres above the ground, these mice seem out of place, but are a good proof that London is full of surprises.

Happy exploring!

So there you have it – another list of hidden gems in London. How many of these had you heard of before?

Also see:

• Travel