THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS IN LONDON

THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS IN LONDON

• Travel Planning

London’s charm lies not just in its landmarks, but in the whispers of hidden corners, quiet gardens, tucked-away alleys, and local enclaves that many visitors miss. Whether you're looking for peaceful reflection, undiscovered art, or community gatherings, we’ve uncovered uncommon experiences worth exploring.

1. The Kyoto Garden, Holland Park

A serene Japanese garden with waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, and wandering peacocks—a peaceful escape even during busy months.

Stay Nearby: Holland Park (e.g. Addison Place)

2. Postman’s Park (City of London)

Near St Paul’s, this quiet green space features the moving Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice—a tribute to ordinary people who gave their lives for others.

3. Leake Street Arches, Waterloo

A hidden tunnel of street art beneath Waterloo, alive with colour and creativity.

4. Secret Gardens & Alleyways

• St Dunstan-in-the-East (City of London): Bombed-out Gothic ruins reborn as a garden.
• Cecil Court (Covent Garden): A charming Edwardian lane lined with antique and book shops.
• Brydges Place (West End): One of London’s narrowest alleyways, atmospheric and cinematic.

5. Chelsea Physic Garden (Chelsea)

Founded in 1673, this walled garden is home to a diverse array of extraordinary medicinal and useful plants.
Stay Nearby: Chelsea (e.g. Flood Street)

6. Sir John Soane’s Museum (Holborn)

The extraordinary former home of architect Sir John Soane, crammed with antiquities, paintings, and curiosities displayed just as he left them.
Stay Nearby: Mayfair (e.g. Berwick Street II)

7. Wilton’s Music Hall (Whitechapel)

The world’s oldest surviving music hall—an atmospheric venue for cabaret, concerts, and spoken word.
Stay Nearby: Westminster (e.g. Queen Anne’s Gate)

8. Down Street Station Tours (Mayfair)

A disused Tube station once used as Churchill’s wartime bunker, revealed through the London Transport Museum’s “Hidden London” tours.

Stay Nearby: Mayfair (e.g. St Anselm’s Place)

Make These Secrets Your Own

Each hidden corner adds a new layer to your London experience—whether you’re drawn to peaceful gardens, cultural gems, or overlooked histories. Staying in an Ivy Lettings home—whether in Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, or Marylebone—means you’re never far from both comfort and curiosity.

Your London story deserves more than the usual highlights. From secret gardens to hidden stations, these gems offer unforgettable moments. Explore our luxury London holiday rentals and discover a city beyond the guidebooks.