Walking around London -- Surprise locations

[PeterW]

This will take a couple of hours - start at Great Portland Street tube, walk up through Regents Park (Avenue Gardens part) then either (a) continue up the park to Primrose Hill or (b) make a detour to the Queen Mary Rose Gardens before coming back to (a).

Once at Primrose Hill you can walk up to the top for great views of London or not, and then continue round Primrose Hill Road where you can browse shops and grab a coffee.

Beyond here cross the railway line and Adelaide Road to Chalk Farm tube, then turn right back down Chalk Farm Road to Camden Market and all the stalls to explore round there.

You can end the walk here, or (i) go up Parkway to return to the top end of Regents Park and back through the park to Great Portland Street or (ii) walk along Camden Canal to the top end of the park and continue as (i) back to the tube.
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[phpesenti]

Just wondering as you all seem to know London very well, when do you think is the best time to visit london? And the cheapest, of course.
Thank you
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[PeterW]

Not sure about cheapest - but avoid the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee, which are guaranteed to be the most expensive times for decades!
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[mike_like_travel]

Good topic indeed.

I really liked walking around camden. I thought it was a great alternative place and a nice change of pace from the touristy bits.

We were also there during winter last year and to see London in several inches of snow made the whole place sensational. We found so many of these christmas markets tucked away.

I would say, I think London is one of the best cities for walking.

[sparkes123]

There's a perfect place located in Hampstead heath, not too busy and not too touristy. It's called pergola and hill garden, by far the best little gem I have found.

[tanielle]

Has anyone seen this alleyway inbetween bow and stratford. It has the most amazing neon lights hanging in between two buildings. Friends have used it for photoshoots.. Its just after the Bow Church. It was a weird and wonderful discovery during the time i lived in stratford.

Another amazing london surprise was the Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park.. stunning japanese landscapes and beautiful peacocks roaming wild and free.

[RossH]

How about Cross Bones in south London - best visited on Halloween to watch the bizarre Cross Bones Halloween festival!

[debsa68]

I love spending time walking along the South Bank.

There are loads of thing to see & do. Street theatre, a book fair on a Sunday. Visting the National Theatre (free concerts etc), Tate Modern, spending time @ the Globe.

Plenty of places to eat & drink

Also fantastic views of London for any photographers.

Enough for a weekend, never mind just an afternoon.

[dwibre]

There are many secret gems on RoadsideUK iphone app. In london you can see the uk's skinnest House which is only 66inches wide. Its on Goldhawk Road in Shepherds Bush

[vacationinireland]

London really does have some hidden gems that can only be found by walking. I have to agree that I like the Southbank too, if you start at the London Eye and walk east towards London Bridge, there are so many places to see/visit/eat at. Especially at the new look Festival Hall, which always has something going on inside or out.

[fiveeurosaday]

It's not really hidden, but I don't see too many people visit/explore it: the Southwark Cathedral. It's stunning and ancient, and there's a really cool archaeological excavation inside.

[shazzad]

thanks to SimboSmith for new idea of this topic. I have just read all to post from this topic. Thanks to all to let another people know about the "hidden spot ".
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[Karina]

Hi all,

Have you already been to the area known as "Temple"? I love that one. It's between Fleet Street and Victoria Embankment. There are a lot of little squares, e.g. "Fountain Court" which is the prettiest of the "inns of court". Today, barristers continue to have their offices (known as chambers) in this area. The most impressive building is "Templars' Church" which was built in the 12th century. It's a tiny, old church located between Fleet Street and the River Thames.
- Although this area is supposed to be a touristic zone, I haven't seen any tourist in the Inns of Court (Inner Temple and Middle Temple) when I was there...

[MadPlanetEarth]

There are many unknown places which are very nice in London.

What I always found amazing is that you can take any of the smaller streets just off the main shopping street and suddenly you'll end up in a very quiet part of the city with hardly anyone around.

Also visiting the business district (city) on a Sunday definitely has its charm.

[Garry07]

If you get out of the underground at Canada Water, you will find a kind of canal that goes up north to the Thames. It's a really nice walk, and where it meets the Thames, there's a pub calles The Old Salt Quais, which is fantastic, especially since you can sit outside on the south bank and enjoy an amazing view.