Unusual London?

Question

I have a date in London this Sunday. I want to take them to somewhere a bit quirky in London - not the usual venues like Spitalfields Market, the Tate Modern or regular museums. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

Ok. Let's start:

- Kensington Roof Gardens (although it is best to view in the Summer) - an amazing and hidden place on the roof of a Marks & Spencer department store in High Street Kensington. There are genuine Spanish style and Tudor Style gardens with trees and a small pond with ducks and flamingos (I did not believe it exists until I saw it with my own eyes). This should be open for general public on weekends.
- a river cruise on The Thames with London RIB Voyages - an unusual cruise, on a fast boat with a good adrenaline rush
- Vinopolis - a museum where you can taste hundreds of wines from all corners of the world
- Chislehurst Caves - the name says it all: Caves in London!
- Sir John Soane's Museum - probably the weirdest museum in London. An 18th century house stuffed with pictures, Egyptian mummies, sculptures, secret passages. But I think it might be closed on Sundays
- Secret garden in Regent's Park - also called St. John's Lodge Gardens - on the eastside of the St. John's Lodge in the middle of the park. The entrance is through a narrow passage leading from the Inner Circle
- Borough Market near London Bridge - an amazing food market with places like a really smelly but wonderful Neal's Yard Cheese Shop and Monmouth Coffee (the best place in the world for cofee that I know of - tens of different kinds of coffee to drink with wine-style tasting notes attached)
- the Greenhouse at the top of Barbican Centre - a piece of jungle with a quiet bench in the middle of the City - open on Saturdays, not sure about Sundays
- Shad Thames next to Tower Bridge - I would describe it as a substitute for an Old Town, which (due to the Big Fire and the Blitz) London does not have.
- Tudor Building at the back of Liberty in Regent's Street - one can almost feel how shopping would have looked like 150-200 years ago.

Two routes I would suggest:

London Zoo->Regent's Park Secret Garden->Marylebone High Street (cafes, pattiseries, wonderful shops and atmosphere)->Wallace Collection (a beautiful stately house and painting gallery in the middle of London)->St. Christopher's Place (a wonderful corner with restaurants just off Oxford Street, but so cleverly hidden that it has not many tourist) and you finish at Bond Street Station

St. Paul's Cathedral->Millennium Bridge->Tate Modern->Globe Theatre->Vinopolis->Borough Market->London Dungeon->Hays Galleria->Shad Thames->Tower Bridge->St. Katharine's Docks

That should give you a kick-start...:-)))

A.

Answer 2

Sigh... the questioner doesn't want to go to the "usual venues like Spitalifields Market", so what do half the answers so far suggest? Camden Market. Grrr.

There are some wonderful smaller museums and art galleries, although the problem is that these often tend to charge for admission – or aren't open on Sundays.

But some I'd suggest you consider are, the Wallace Collection, the Courtauld Galleries, Sir John Soane's Museum and the Petrie Museum.

Answer 3

Camden market, then walk along the canal, maybe visit the London Zoo or walk across Regent's Park (weather permitting :- ) )

Walk from London Bridge station to Waterloo, there is an excelent sea food restaurant in the back of Southwark cathedral, then more restaurunats, watch the river, reach the Oxo tower area, there is a nice art gallery there, shops. If Tate modern is not too crowded go to the current exhibition in the Turbine gallery (slides!)

Walk from The Dome (North Greenwich tube station, go out accross the "arch" in the exit, turn right then left, there is an ugly back street, turn right, always as close to the dome as possible until you reach the river, then follow the path to the left) to Greenwich. Wonderful views of Canary Wharf and what is left of industrial London, eventually you'll make it to Greenwich were you can have a meal in the usual places.

Answer 4

You might perhaps try London Dungeon if you are into kind of morbid educational fun. It's kind of a museum of all the most horrible events in London history (the plague, the great fire, Jack the Ripper etc) re-enacted by dummies and actors, and with a museum of authentic historical torture devices inside.

Answer 5

Very unusual and very American. Ignore the funny name because it makes it sound like a fast food joint - but it's not. I've been there twice in five years. Not the cheapest food but very tasty and imaginative. Automat American Brasserie 33 Dover Street, Mayfair London W1S 4NF Tel: [phone]

Answer 6

I don't think you should go to place with Jack The Ripper in the title like these folks are suggesting... You'd be better off in Camden Market I think. Have fun and good luck.

Answer 7

You could start with Camden Lock Market and then, for some light relief, stroll over to Regents' Park and even the Zoo.

Answer 8

There are many hidden places in London that offer a nice day out. Check out http://www.londonvacationguide.con as it offers some good information and ideas when you visit London.

Answer 9

try doing the many themed walks in London which are always led by a guide and very very intersting.i did the "Jack the Ripper" one and it was great

Answer 10

Do you want to understand one of the factors normal Law of attractionproduct does not work for lots of people?Believe of it like a diet. If you desire to lose weight and you strive to lose it