The great city of London is known for its delicious fish and chips, Mary Poppins and London bobby. The hot spots, such as the London Eye and Tower of London can easily be talked about when signing up for a traditional tour. But, how to get away from the swarms of noisy people?
1. Little Venice
You would not think that there is a canal and such a tranquil area in the middle of London. But Little Venice is the perfect getaway.
Along the canals, there are lively waterside cafes and pubs to relax or get rowdy. You can take a boat ride from Little Venice all the way to the London Zoo!
Little Venice is one of the most beautiful spots in London, loved by locals.
2. God’s Own Junkyard
“A strangely calming feeling among the neon lights.”
God’s Own Junkyard is a salvage yard in Walthamstow that showcases the personal work of late neon artist Chris Bracey.
The yard has everything from his signage for Soho sex clubs in the ’60s to his work for the movie industry. Some of the pieces displayed were used in movies like ‘Captain America’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, and ‘Byzantium’.
This place is a neon wonderland. Within the yard, there is also teh Rolling Scones Cafe for some tasty treats, like cream teas and a selection of freshly baked cakes. Or have a chill day with some alcohol at the bar inside the cafe.
This is one of the few places in London that is free! Definitely a must-visit.
3. Neal’s Yard
Hidden away in the middle of London is a garden full of cafes, local shops, and tasty treats. Neal’s Yard is a narrow alley in Covent Garden, and it is one of the best unusual places to visit in the city. The shops around are incredibly colorful!
The place is home to the iconic Neal’s Yard remedies, Neal’s Yard Dairy and the popular Wild Food Café. Along with that, there are little boutique stores that specialize in sustainable and ethical products.
4. Churchill’s Secret Bunker
Just outside of London lies the secret underground bunker of leader Churchill used during the war. The bunker is part of the Imperial War Museums.
In the bunker you can discover the original Cabinet War Rooms, the underground headquarters that sheltered Churchill and his wartime government!
While in the bunker, the exhibit becomes interactive. Headphones are given to you, and the buttons on the displays let you hear what workers would have said during the old times! The workers share their wartime stories through the headphones.
When you leave the bunker, you immediately can see the machine that was used to crack the Enigma Code. The bunker represents an important part of English history, and to better understand British culture, this is a must-visit attraction.
5. Kings Cross Light Tunnel
Kings Cross is a major rail hub. At the Kings Cross station, the trains drive people from station to station all over the city. Around the Kings Cross neighbourhood, there are also many shops and restaurants. But if you are not planning to visit around, the station is still a very cool place to see.
The tunnel is one of the local’s favourite places to take photographs and walk through. The light wall is one of Europe’s longest and is made of seamless LED lights. The light wall also doubles as an ‘art wall’ that showcases art commissions! You feel a bit of harmony with the colours and artwork when you walk through the tunnel.
A simple but magical place in London.
