London’s hidden gems – 8 of the city’s best kept secrets

Central London is filled with winding back streets, courts and yards that are filled with boutique shops, restaurants and bars as well as hidden gardens and places of tranquillity.

You might have lived in London for years and not know of these places, they might even be just around the corner from where you live or work.

Finding new places to visit and enjoy can make living in Central London all the more exciting, we consider some of our favourite of London’s hidden gems.

1. Eccleston Yards, Belgravia

Only moments away from the delights of Elizabeth Street, Eccleston Yards is tucked away on the Belgravia and Victoria borders. Only very recently redeveloped the yards are now home to fitness and wellness businesses along with restaurants and places of work.

Eccleston Yards is surrounded by some of London’s finest properties such as those on Chester Square, Ebury Mews and Eaton Mews.

2. Chelsea Physic Garden, Chelsea

Just around the corner from the sought-after mansion blocks on Cheyne Walk and Cheyne Gardens is the Chelsea Physic Garden, the oldest surviving botanical garden in the country.

Originally founded for medicinal plant studies the gardens have over 5,000 types of plant each with their usage explained, visitors can stop in at the Tangerine Dream café.

Although the King’s Road and Sloane Square are some of Chelsea’s best known points of interest there are wonderful secret hideaways such as the Chelsea Physic Garden. For those looking for local independent shops head to Chelsea Common and there is a weekly market, primarily with food stalls, on Duke of York Square.

3. Lancashire Court, Mayfair

Tucked behind New Bond Street, Lancashire Court filled with restaurants and bars, it is popular with those who know it exists or happen to stumble across it.

Neighboring Avery Row offers boutique shops along with places to eat and drink. The area boasts many art galleries with Ben Brown Fine Arts and Maddox Arts both located on Brook’s Mews which leads into Avery Row and John Mitchell Fine Paintings which is located on Avery Row itself.

Mayfair is filled with exception places to shop, eat, drink and buy or peruse art, this small patch is particularly charming.

4. Kingly Court, Carnaby Street

Soho is known to be a place to spend an evening, whether eating dinner, having drinks or heading to a nightclub – Soho is the place to go in the West End of London.

Carnaby Street is a pedestrianised shopping street, the Carnaby area as a whole which encompasses many of the roads surrounding Carnaby Street boasts over 150 shops and more than 50 places to eat; it is a hive of activity and at the centre is Kingly Court.

For those who know central London this will likely not be any type of secret place to visit, for those who don’t – Kingly Court is three storeys of places to eat and drink and somewhere we’d recommend visiting.

5. Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials

Seven Dials is located just off of Shaftesbury Avenue, a stones throw away from Covent Garden. Neals Yard is situated within the triangle of roads formed by Monmouth Street, Short’s Gardens and Neal Street.

Home to the original Neal’s Yard Remedies shop, it is also the location of alternative medicine and therapy providers, a yoga studio, cafes and restaurants amongst other stores.

6. Leadenhall Market, City of London

In the heart of the City of London is Leadenhall Market an entirely covered market filled with many different shops, restaurants and bars.

Originally built on the site of the centre of Roman London, Leadenhall Market was initially set up as a market place specifically for meat, poultry and game.

Mostly surviving the Great Fire in 1666, parts that were damaged were rebuilt and it was then used as a meat and herb market.

Over time its purpose has changed by its history and character remains and is enjoyed by local residents, city workers and tourists.

7. Kyoto Garden, Holland Park

A slice of tranquillity in west London, a gift from the city of Kyoto in Japan in 1991, the gardens are spread over 50 acres within Holland Park.

Visitors can enjoy the peace and serenity surrounded by the Japanese gardens which includes features such as tiered waterfalls, a pond full of Koi carp, stone lanterns and Japanese maple trees.

8. Camden Passage, Islington

Hidden away in Islington, not far from Angel station is Camden Passage not to be confused with Camden Market which is nearby in Camden Town.

The car free, narrow cobbled street is filled with independent shops and cafes along with antiques stores. There is also a regular antiques market held here. We’d highly recommend visiting.

Property Finders in London

With many years of experience sourcing and acquiring property for private clients in London our team of property finders knows of many hidden gems across the city the above is just a short selection.

It is this detailed local knowledge that allows our property search consultants to competently guide their clients when buying a property.

If you’d like to learn more about our property finding service and how we might be able to assist your search please, contact us.