London’s main attractions are basically household names for the rest of the planet. . You can spend days or several separate trips just seeing all the mainstream sights of London. However, there’s another side to London. London off the beaten path is a London that visitors don’t often see.
London is packed with famous sights. From Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, to the Shard and London Eye, to Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral to name but a few! But its appeal goes far beyond the attractions you’ll find on every first-time visitor’s itinerary. From grand palaces, historic landmarks and world-class museums, to atmospheric neighbourhoods, hidden gardens and quirky corners, there is an almost endless list of things to see and do. You could return to London time and again and still discover somewhere new. So, if you’ve already ticked off the big sights, or simply want to see a new side to the city, it’s time to explore London off the beaten path.
8 Sites in London Off the Beaten Path
This metropolis of nine million people offers some amazing and underrated sites. These are perfect for anyone looking for unexplored places, and a mix of the less conventional things to see.
Hyde Park Dog Cemetery
London boasts some magnificent cemeteries: including Highgate Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery, Brompton Cemetery, and Nunhead Cemetery. Yet one of the least known (and most interesting) graveyards in London is the Hyde Park Dog Cemetery. George Orwell called it, “Perhaps the most horrible spectacle in Britain.” Not so, George – this is an off the beaten path London gem!
It may be tiny, but the Hyde Park Dog Cemetery offers a fascinating glimpse into Victorian London and the deep affection people had for their pets. When the cemetery closed in 1903, caretakers had buried over 300 beloved canines here.
Tucked away behind a wall near Victoria Gate, this wonderfully unusual little spot is easy to miss. Which is precisely what makes it so appealing. Although you can’t normally wander through the cemetery itself, you can explore and catch a glimpse of pet gravestones from the surrounding park. It’s a quirky, poignant and thoroughly unexpected piece of London’s history.
Most animals at the Hyde Park Dog Cemetery are dogs, but you will also find cats, monkeys, and birds! Photo Credit: JRennock
The Ten Bells Pub
The neighborhood of Spitalfields features the locally renowned Ten Bells Pub. This classic English pub, or “historic East End boozer” attracts visitors with its large ceramic murals that detail life in Spitalfields centuries ago. The pub has existed since the middle of the 18th century in one form or another. Visit one of London’s oldest pubs, have a pint and commune with the ghosts of history. It is a refreshing, interesting and alternative thing to do on a trip to London.
Traveler’s tip: From a cold frothy pint in a historic tavern to oysters at a bustling market, you definitely want to dive deep into the city’s culinary scene. Our excellent choice of London Food Tours will show you the best of British cuisine and customs.
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art, & Natural History
Everyone loves a good wunderkammer, or cabinet of curiosities. The Viktor Wynd Museum provides a fun couple of hours exploring the weird, wacky, and the wonderful. You will find skulls, taxidermy, dodo bird bones, the skeleton of a giant anteater, shrunken human heads. There is even fecal matter from various celebrities, and more. This curiosity shop, located in Hackney, truly stands out as an underrated London attraction. So, for those of you wanting to step off the beaten track and find something you have not seen before, this is a hit!
Check out the Viktor Wynd Museum’s collection of shrunken heads. Photo Credit: Jwslubbock
Little Venice
It looks more like Amsterdam or the twee canal of Milan. Nonetheless, London’s “Little Venice” remains one of the most charming parts of the English metropolis. Located just north of Paddington, the houseboat-lined waterways create a lovely setting to relax at a canal-side cafe or pub and sip a libation. For those searching for unexplored places in London, Little Venice delivers a tranquil, off the beaten path London escape.
There is an island within the confluence of the three canals in London’s Little Venice. Photo Credit: Queen of the Jet Set
Little Venice stands out for several reasons:
- You can enjoy peaceful strolls along the water.
- The area features unique canal boats and floating cafes.
- It offers a calm contrast to London’s bustling city center.
- Local festivals and events frequently take place along the canals.
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Before television, the internet, and Netflix, medical students could observe serious medical operations in action. This is where the name “operating theater” comes into play! At the Old Operating Theatre Museum, you step into the past. Housed in the garret of the 1703 Church of St. Thomas, the operating theater closed in 1862 and fell into abandonment. In 1957, someone rediscovered it and eventually turned it into this fascinating museum of surgery. This unusual London museum provides one of the most non touristy things to do in London.
God’s Own Junkyard
God’s Own Junkyard operates in Walthamstow, a neighborhood with little to no attractions. That changed after this magnificent warehouse moved in, and the neighborhood gentrified, not necessarily in that order. The huge warehouse teems with neon lights! It is as if some divine force picked up all the Las Vegas neon and decided to store it here. If you want to literally light up your Instagram account, this is the place to do it. God’s Own Junkyard defines off the beaten track London.
God’s Own Junkyard claims the largest stock of neon signs in Europe. Photo Credit: JRennocks
Why should you visit God’s Own Junkyard?
- You will see Europe’s largest stock of neon signs and art.
- The dazzling atmosphere offers a unique photography spot.
- The quirky café inside allows you to sip coffee surrounded by glowing art.
- The ever-changing displays mean each visit feels different.
Crossbones
Just a short stroll from the Shard and Shakespeare’s Globe, you will find an unusual and intriguing site. Crossbones is a pauper’s graveyard specifically designated for medieval-era sex workers. When Crossbones closed in 1852, caretakers had laid 15,000 bodies of now-unknown women to rest in the ground. Therefore, Crossbones provides one of the city’s most fascinating unexplored places for seekers of off the beaten path London.
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
The largest Hindu temple outside of India is in London. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir consists of 2,000 tons of Italian marble and 3,000 tons of Bulgarian limestone.
Located in the Neasden section of the city, the temple finished construction in the early 1990s. Sculptors in India first carved reliefs into the marble and limestone before shipping them to London. At the time, the project cost £12 million to complete. Visiting this temple offers one of those unexpected London experiences. It is a fascinating addition to any itinerary beyond the city’s better-known sights.
This Hindu temple was built using entirely traditional construction methods. Photo Credit: Bernard Gagnon
FAQ: Off the Beaten Path London
Are these underrated London places suitable for first-time visitors?
Absolutely! While first-time visitors will want to see iconic landmarks, adding a few off the beaten track London experiences, like the Old Operating Theatre Museum or Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, provides a richer and more authentic view of the city.
Are there non-touristy things to do in London that are family-friendly?
Yes! Little Venice is lovely for a stroll with kids, and God’s Own Junkyard dazzles visitors of all ages with its neon art. The Viktor Wynd Museum and Hyde Park Dog Cemetery are also fascinating for curious families and intriguing places for older kids.
Why should I include off the beaten path London sites in my itinerary?
When you venture off the beaten track in London, you experience the city’s hidden history, quirky stories, and vibrant local culture, giving you a deeper connection to London beyond the main attractions.
Some of the city’s most memorable moments are found tucked away in historic streets, buzzing local markets, and hidden corners full of character.
One of the best ways to experience this side of the city is through food. On the Borough Market & Southwark Food Tour, you’ll explore one of London’s oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods, uncovering its history while tasting everything from classic British dishes to local favourites, all with an expert guide leading the way.
Ready to discover a different side of London? Book your tour now!