Barking and Dagenham
Capital Karts – Rippleside
Adrenaline junkies need not leave the city to get their fix. Instead, visit the UK’s longest indoor race track and channel your inner Lewis Hamilton.
Capital Karts, Unit 1 Rippleside, London IG11 0RJ
Go-karting | Courtesy of Capital Karts
Barnet
Belmont Children’s Farm – Mill Hill
Find some respite from busy city life on Mill Hill – from ferrets to alpacas you’ll be able to cuddle over 30 types of animal at this animal oasis, and feel your stress simply melt away. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, there’s also an on-site waffle cafe.
Belmont Children’s Farm, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1QT
A hedgehog at Belmont Children’s Farm | Courtesy of Belmont Children’s Farm
Bexley
Cocoa & Heart – Bexleyheath
It’s never too late to learn a new skill, and Cocoa & Heart lets you do just that. From baking bread and making chocolate, to sewing and candle crafting, this hidden gem will inspire your creative side and leave you with a new skill, ready to impress your friends.
Cocoa & Heart, 19 Izane Rd, Bexleyheath DA6 8NU
Chocolate lollipops | Courtesy of Cocoa & Heart
Brent
Lexi Cinema – Kensal Rise
This is a cinema that makes a difference – donating 100% of their profits to a charity in rural South Africa. The cinema is mainly run by passionate volunteers,so visit to watch a film and gobble down popcorn knowing you have done some good.
Lexi Cinema, 194B Chamberlayne Rd, Kensal Green, London NW10 3JU
The front of the Lexi Cinema | Courtesy of Lexi Cinema
Bromley
The Lavender House Cafe – Sundridge Park
Whether you are looking for a weekend brunch or afternoon tea, this cosy little cafe provides a calm ambience and high-quality food and drink, with a great outdoor seating area to make the most of the summer sun.
The Lavender House Cafe, 26 Plaistow Lane, Sundridge Park Village, Bromley BR1 3PA
Afternoon tea | Courtesy of The Lavender House Cafe
Camden
Chin Chin Labs Ice Cream – Camden Lock
Futuristic, scientific desserts with a variety of delicious flavours served by Europe’s first ever liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour. You had better hurry as this will not be a hidden gem for long – they’ve already opened a second location.
Chin Chin Labs, 49–50 Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF, UK
Croydon
Matthews Yard – Surrey Street
Nestled between Croydon’s east and west train stations, Matthews Yard is an exciting 10,000 square foot hub of creative activity, containing a crowd-funded theatre, an art gallery featuring local artists, two high-quality restaurants, as well as coworking spaces and artists’ studios. Why would you ever need to leave!
1 Matthews Yard, Croydon CR0 1FF
Matthews Yard decorated for a wedding | Courtesy of Matthews Yard
Ealing
WA Cafe – Ealing Broadway
Transport your taste buds to Japan at this independent Japanese patisserie in Ealing Broadway. The freshly-baked pastries look (almost) too good to eat and are served in beautiful Japanese crockery to really give you the authentic Japanese experience.
WA Cafe, 32 Haven Green, London W5 2NX
A variety of pastries | Courtesy of WA Cafe
Enfield
Chickenshed – Southgate
This vibrant young theatre started out exactly as their name suggests – in a chicken shed. The company has grown considerably but their values have remained the same – they seek to bring together people of all backgrounds to produce outstanding theatre productions and educational experiences.
Chickenshed, 290 Chase Side, London N14 4PE
Theatre performance | Courtesy of Chickenshed
Greenwich
Greenwich Market – Greenwich
Set within a World Heritage site, this historic, vibrant market makes for a great day out in Greenwich. Whittle away the hours looking at products from designer-makers, original artworks and eating mouth-watering street food, all under one roof.
Greenwich Market, 5B Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ
Market stall at Greenwich Market | Courtesy of Greenwich Market
Hackney
Rio Cinema – Dalston
This gem comes in the form of a Grade II listed independent Art Deco cinema with a comprehensive programme of films and events throughout the year. The plush velvet seats, atmospheric music and red curtains also help create the great ambience.
Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
An interior shot of Rio Cinema | Courtesy of Rio Cinema
Hammersmith & Fulham
Lyric – Hammersmith
One of the UK’s leading producing theatres, the Lyric is known for its critically acclaimed theatrical work. As if this wasn’t reason enough to pay a visit, the Lyric is also home to a beautiful rooftop garden – a green oasis in the heart of Hammersmith.
Lyric Hammersmith, One Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL
Lyric theatre garden | Courtesy of Jim Stephenson
Haringey
Jam in a Jar – Green Lanes
Whether in search of your Monday morning coffee or your Friday night cocktail, this simple, versatile bar is worth a visit at any time of day. The menu caters to all tastes, no matter if you are on a diet or in the mood to indulge, and the evening live music only adds to the chilled out atmosphere.
Harrow
The Harrow in Harrow – Harrow on the Hill
For good food and some funky dance music, head to this pub in Harrow to liven up your Saturday night. With no shortage of large screens to cheer your team on over a beer, it’s also an ideal place for sports fans to catch the game.
The Harrow in Harrow, 269–271 Station Rd, London, Harrow HA1 2TB
The Harrow’s, beer, pie and chips | Courtesy of The Harrow
Havering
Upminster TapRoom – Upminster
A firm local favourite due to its cosy setting and friendly staff, this micropub offers an incredible array of constantly changing real ale and ciders sourced from micro-breweries, the first of its kind in Havering.
Upminster Tap Room, 1b Sunnyside Gardens, Upminster RM14 3DT
Mulled cider | Courtesy of the Upminster TapRoom
Hillingdon
The Old Orchard – Harefield
It is hard to believe you are still in London when admiring the panoramic view from this restaurant’s beer garden. When it is too cold to sit inside, the open fires, home-made food and around 120 types of whisky will keep you warm at this hidden gem.
The Old Orchard, Park Ln, Harefield, Uxbridge UB9 6HJ
View from the garden | Courtesy of The Old Orchard
Hounslow
Fuller’s Brewery – Chiswick
Curious about how your beer is made? Pay a visit to London’s last family brewery and take a tour behind the scenes to have an insight into ale-making. Make sure you stay until the end, when you will have the opportunity to sample a full range of ales and impress your friends with your newfound knowledge.
Fuller’s Brewery, The Griffin Brewery, Chiswick Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2QB
Fuller’s Brewery Tour | Courtesy of Fuller’s
Islington
Tierra Peru – Angel
For an authentic taste of Peru, look no further than Tierra Peru, where the warm atmosphere and flavourful food could fool you into thinking you were really in South America.
Tierra Peru, 164 Essex Rd, London N1 8LY
Sweet dessert | Courtesy of Tierra Peru
Kensington and Chelsea
The Roof Gardens – Kensington High Street
A hundred feet above High Street Kensington, you’ll find one of the most glorious, glamorous and leafy spaces in London, offering amazing views of the city skyline complete with a swanky bar and restaurant. The best part? This garden is also home to a friendly flock of flamingos!
The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 5SA
Spanish Garden | Courtesy of Kensington Roof Gardens
Lambeth
The Windmill – Brixton
For an unforgettable live music experience, look no further than this independent venue. With a warm atmosphere and hosting excellent acts (bands such as The Vaccines, Noah & The Whale and Jamie T have played here), this hidden gem makes for a great night out in Lambeth.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, London SW2 5BZ
Windmill sign | Courtesy of Windmill Brixton
Lewisham
Horniman Museum and Gardens – Forest Hill
Open since the Victorian times, this free museum offers visitors the unusual opportunity to get up close and personal with its artefacts, allowing you to pick them up and play with them as you please. The gardens also make for a beautiful outdoor spot in the summer.
Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
Summer garden party | Courtesy of the Horniman Museum and Gardens
Newham
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Stratford
Ever wondered what happened to the great Olympic facilities after 2012? They turned into a dynamic metropolitan centre featuring an urban park, playgrounds, an aquatic centre, and even the world’s longest tunnel slide!
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2ST
River view of Olympic Park | Courtesy of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Redbridge
Lizard Lounge – South Woodford
For a range of delectable cocktails, head over to Lizard Lounge in South Woodford, an independent craft cocktail bar that also puts on a great show. Their experimental cocktail makes the most of fresh ingredients and will have you coming back for more – handy, then, that they are open every day of the week!
Lizard Lounge, 186-188 George Ln, London E18 1AY
Green Pea G&T | Courtesy of Lizard Lounge
Richmond upon Thames
Rock & Rose Restaurant – Richmond
For a glamorous and vibrant atmosphere, Rock & Rose has the recipe for success, serving beautifully presented cocktails alongside international cuisine. The bold decor is the cherry on top at this hidden gem.
Rock & Rose Restaurant, 106 – 108 Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 2PQ
Cocktail | Courtesy of Rock & Rose
Southwark
Frank’s Cafe – Peckham
As soon as summer comes along, this Peckham pop-up appears on the top of a multi-storey car park, serving its legendary Campari alongside cooling cocktails, whilst also playing host to a number of art installations – a hipster’s paradise!
Frank’s Cafe, 10th Floor, Peckham Multi Story Carpark, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
Drinks on the roof | Courtesy of Frank’s Cafe
Sutton
The Old Bank – Sutton High Street
Recently refurbished, this pub serves the classics, with all of the trimmings, for prices that will make you forget you are in London. What’s more, this is the only Sutton pub with a TV screen outside, allowing you to really soak in the summer sun.
The Old Bank, 2 High St, Sutton SM1 1HN
Pub front | Courtesy of The Old Bank
Tower Hamlets
Wilton’s Music Hall – Tower Hill
Wilton’s Music Hall is the oldest grand music hall in the world, with over 300 years of history behind it. Today, it retains its natural charm and is a beautiful location where theatre, opera, dance, music, cinema, circus acts and other art forms find their natural home.
Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, Whitechapel, London E1 8JB
Wilton’s Music Hall | Courtesy of Hélene Benet
Waltham Forest
Luna Lounge – Leytonstone
Luna Lounge is proud of its reputation as the independent home of live music for the last 13 years. Having started out as a basement bar before extending into two whole floors of entertainment and live music, this funky bar offers an eclectic mix of music to suit all tastes, from open mic to psychedelic jazz funk.
Luna – The home of live music, 7 Church Ln, London E11 1HG
Live music | Courtesy of Luna – The home of live music
Wandsworth
The Ship – Wandsworth
Located right on the water’s edge, this is the perfect location if you are craving good food and an even better atmosphere. The beer garden and conservatory are worth the visit alone, and perfect for watching the sun set over the Thames.
The Ship, 41 Jews Row, Wandsworth, London SW18 1TB
Sunset cheers | Courtesy of The Ship
Westminster
Cahoots – Soho
Although tricky to find, the search is worth it for this tube-themed cocktail bar, complete with vintage, ’40s-style decor and an actor portraying a train guide to welcome you inside. The menus, in the form of broadsheet newspapers, reveal an endless choice of cocktails. All aboard for a night to remember!
Cahoots, 13 Kingly Court, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
At The Bar | Courtesy of Cahoots