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Guest Post
If you’re taking a trip to London, chances are you have your sights set on a few attractions you’ve seen on postcards or in similar images of the city.
Like a lot of major cities, London has a way of showing off its top sights and activities. For instance, you might want to walk by Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, or take a tour of Westminster Abbey.
You might want to ride to the top of the London Eye, or walk across London Bridge. Or you could just be eyeing a trip to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre or the Stamford Bridge football stadium.
These activities should absolutely make it onto your list, because they all represent stunning sights and fun opportunities.
There’s also far more to London than these popular highlights. Read on for some ideas that you might not be as familiar with from common images of the city.
Little Venice
As you might expect from its name, Little Venice is a small canal district that runs through London. It’s a tranquil, picturesque area for a stroll, and a surprising find within a city that doesn’t really advertise it.
But it’s not just about the canals and the beauty, the area is also home to waterside cafés and pubs. If anything it might actually be more like a walk through Amsterdam than a trip to the Venice canals.
Richmond Park
As the largest park in New York City, Central Park frequently gets mentioned as the most impressive park in any major city on the planet. That’s true for a lot of people, but if you ever make it to Richmond Park in the suburbs of London you might re-think your rankings.
This is a massive and sprawling natural preserve, one meant as a royal hunting ground and still home to what feels like half the world’s population of deer.
Empire Casino
For whatever reason, the fact that London has its own gigantic casino seems to go overlooked in most travel guides. It may be because tourists aren’t really looking for in-person casinos as frequently. Nowadays people can enjoy the atmosphere of a real casino from their own homes or mobile devices, thanks to advanced online gaming options. Empire Casino is grand enough to make you remember why casinos became popular in the first place. It’s big, beautiful, and packed with entertainment that goes well beyond the gaming tables.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Pubs in general tend to make it onto a lot of tourists’ London wish lists, but most guides fail to specify a given pub or two worth stopping at.
If you’re looking for something specific, it’s hard to top Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Its cellars date back to the 13th century, it was rebuilt after the infamous 1666 fire, and it is marked by a list of every British monarch since that rebuilding.
You can’t get much more London than that. I’ve been there a few times, it’s a lovely pub!
Thanks for reading,
I was first brought down into the lower parts of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese many years ago by some colleagues one lunchtime and was considerably impressed. What an astounding place. At the time, they served pies from the counter and with it being a Sam Smiths’ setup, the prices were good too. The lower interior has the feel of a castle and flecks of sawdust would not be out of place on the floor. Those looking for a cosy break from their business in the area would do well to nip in for an ale or two.
The canals I discovered more recently. After moving to The Isle of Dogs a year and a half ago, I was in desperate need of a way to escape the depressing monotony of my new surroundings. I took a Boris bike along the Thames up to Limehouse Cut. To my delight, I discovered that I could join Regent’s Canal, from whence it was possible to ride westward, through Haggerston and Camden, all the way to Little Venice. The highlight of the journey, part of which I once made on foot, accompanied by my mother, was being able to point out to her a giraffe! The canal passes London Zoo and if one is lucky, it is possible to sight an animal or two. Such joy.
http://www.somethingmoreweekly.com
Thank you for sharing these! I will definitely check out Little Venice the next time I’m in London.
Kim | chimmyville.co.uk
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese sounds fascinating – and I bet they’d do a great Rioja. Seriously I love ancient pubs with a great backstory. I bet this one is haunted.
I’ve always wanted to go to Richmond Park so I’ve definitely added this to my list to places to see when I finally get to visit London some day! I’d never heard of Little Venice before but it sounds lovely so I’ll certainly try to check it out too 🙂 Thanks for sharing these! x
Sarah | Raiin Monkey
Such a great idea for a post! I LOVE Richmond park, and the whole area so much and I’m so glad I discovered it a few years ago. I always go that way whenever I need an escape of London’s busyness!
I’ve never been to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese but you’ve now convinced me that I need to – I love old pubs like that! x
Laura // Middle of Adventure
OH thank you for sharing these! Now I know where to visit when I manage to get myself to London one day 🙂 Saved this for later 🙂
♥ Jasmin N
// Little Things With Jassy
I love this post & have bookmarked it. I’ve wanted to visit Little Venice for years now! I know tons of hidden gems in London, but mostly in terms of hidden bars/quirky events etc so this post is super helpful. I’d also recommend the outdoor theatre in Regent’s Park – not so much of a ‘hidden’ gem, but many people seem to forget just how beautiful and unique it is x