Are you a first timer planning a trip to London or are you returning to the city for a holiday but want to see something that isn’t in the guidebooks? I personally think that some of London’s best attractions are the ones that tourists don’t know about, so I’ve gathered a list of my favourite, and honestly the 10 best alternative places to visit in London. Now updated for 2025!

1. Half Cut Market

My absolute favourite wine bar in the whole world (and because of that I considered gatekeeping it from this list), Half Cut rests in a quaint street in the North London neighbourhood of Kentish Town. The small bar oozes sophistication and cool, with curated small plates and tasty world wines. Time Out London recently listed it as one of the top wine bars in the entire city. They regularly change up their menu so there is always a reason to keep going back!

Address: 396 York Way, Islington, London N7 9LW

Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 5pm-10pm, Thursday 5pm – 10:30pm, Friday to Saturday 4pm-11pm

2. Leighton House Museum

This is my favourite museum in London, and it’s largely kept off the list of the best museums in London in favour for the big hits like Tate Modern and the V&A. As a lover of 1890-1900s British Art, a visit to this museum was a must for me. Originally owned by the artist Frederic Leighton, who decorated his Kensington house with Middle Eastern artefacts. The house is a museum in itself, but also houses heaps of artworks from his private collection. An adult ticket is £14.

Address: 12 Holland Park Road, Kensington W14 8LZ

Opening times: Open Wednesday to Monday 10am-5:30pm (last entry 4:30).

3. Temple of Seitan

Tastes like deep fried vegan chicken? This is the perfect stop for vegans who want that deep fried feeling without hurting the planet. Everything in this fast food joint is 100% vegan and 100% delicious. There are shops in Hackney and Camden.

Address: 

Camden: 43 Parkway, Camden NW1 7PN

Hackney: 5 Morning Lane E9 6NA

Opening times: Monday to Saturday 12pm-9pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm

4. Moth Club

This place is so Hackney you don’t even know. You may have seen this glittery, shabby-chic pub turned club on your Instagram feed but maybe not paid too much attention to it. But if you’re sick of London’s generic clubbing scene then time to turn to this East London charmer. Complete with a vaulted ceiling and a retro shimmery gold curtain. The venue hosts regular gigs, concerts and film screenings. While it’s typically for up and coming artists, pop star Lady Gaga has even performed there. After you’ve spent a wild night there, you’ll be wondering why this alternative place to visit in London is not on every traveller’s list!

Address: Old Trades Hall, Valette Street, Hackney E9 6NU

Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday to Saturday 12pm-1am

5. London Design Museum

This massive yet relatively under-the-radar museum is located on Kensington High Street and exhibits graphic, fashion and architectural design over history and how it has shaped modern day London. The first time I went here I saw the in-depth exhibition on Stanley Kubrick and his films, which featured lots of iconic costumes, props and sets. Admission is free, but if you want to see a temporary exhibition you may have to pay (definitely worth it though).

Address: 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington W8 6AG

Opening times: 10am-6pm every day

6. Daunt Books

If you’ve been in London even for just a few days, you’ll probably come across at least one person donning a Daunt Books tote bag on the Tube. This travel bookstore in the fancy neighbourhood of Marylebone is a local institution and is often a hotspot on Sunday mornings. The bookstore was built in 1912 and is allegedly the first custom built bookstore in the world. It organises its books geographically, so it’s the perfect place to buy a souvenir or a present for your fellow travel-loving friends. It’s now a chain and you can find stores all around London.

Address: 84 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone W1U 4QW

Opening times: 9am-7:30pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday

7. Ritzy Cinema

This is my favourite cinema in London, mostly because its traditional Edwardian charm is still intact and they show a range of both old and new movies. You can find this 1911 cinema smack-bang in the middle of Brixton, where their café and bar is often a popular place for a drink and burger. It’s pretty beloved by Londoners, and it’s said to be the favourite cinema of Benedict Cumberbatch among other actors.

Address: Brixton Road, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW2 1JG

Opening times: vary, check website.

8. Kew Palace

When visiting the serene Kew Gardens, visitors often forget about the historically important but underrated Kew Palace, making it a great alternative place to visit in London. This was the former royal cottage of George III and Queen Charlotte, where they retreated to for peace and domesticity. It was later a refuge for King George when he suffered from severe mental illness later in his life. It’s a beautiful spot to walk around in Summer and soak up some authentic British countryside. Admission is included in a Kew Gardens admission ticket.

Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Richmond TW9 3AE

Opening times: open seasonally, check website for dates.

9. Trisha’s (New Evaristo Club)

Soho’s most iconic basement bar starts with a challenge: finding the entrance. Because while the bar rests on one of the busiest streets for nightlife in the city, the entrance from the outside looks like a simple residential door. But once inside (I promise it’s not actually that hard) you’re free to marvel at the coloured Christmas lights and tinsel falling from the ceiling, and at a good time, the live band huddled in the corner. Sadness is not known here, for it’s always a jolly good time. This members club has an entrance fee, best to check directly to see updated pricing.

Address: 57 Greek Street

10. The Courtauld Gallery

Another underrated gem, this gallery in Central London houses some of the greatest pieces of Impressionist art and my favourites including Manet’s A Bar at the Folies Bergere and Degas’ Two Dancers on a Stage. Van Gogh fans will also find Self Portrait with a Bandaged Ear here!

Address: The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand WC2R 0RN

Opening times: Monday to Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Have you been to any of these 10 best alternative places to visit in London? Is there any more you would want added to the list? Let me know in the comments!