London’s a world-famous tourist city, known for its iconic buildings like Big Ben (proper name: Elizabeth Tower), Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
But in a city of its size, it’s unsurprising that there are plenty of hidden corners and secret spots to visit too.
Here are some original, fascinating places where you won’t find so many tourists.
Statue of Millicent Garrett Fawcett
The statue of Millicent Garrett Fawcett stands in Parliament Square, the only monument there dedicated to a woman.
Unveiled in 2018 to mark 100 years since some women gained the right to vote, it portrays the suffragist leader holding a banner that reads, “Courage calls to courage everywhere.”
Fawcett spent decades campaigning for women’s suffrage through peaceful activism, distinguishing her from the more militant suffragettes.
The bronze statue, surrounded by figures such as Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, ensures her contribution to democracy is remembered.
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Remains of the Palace of Westminster
Hidden in plain sight near Westminster Hall, the remains of the original Palace of Westminster date back to 1099.
Built by William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror, this medieval structure was once the main residence of England’s monarchs.
Most of the palace was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1834, but Westminster Hall survived, along with a few other remnants, including the 14th-century Jewel Tower.
These fragments offer a glimpse into London’s Norman past, contrasting with the grand Victorian Gothic style of today’s Houses of Parliament.
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Methodist Central Hall
Located opposite Westminster Abbey, Methodist Central Hall is often overlooked despite its impressive Beaux-Arts architecture.
Opened in 1912, it was designed as a grand meeting space, its vast domed ceiling inspired by European opera houses.
In 1946, it hosted the first-ever General Assembly of the United Nations, setting the stage for post-war diplomacy.
Today, the building serves as a Methodist church and conference venue, with a café and exhibition space open to visitors.
Its Great Hall remains a striking example of early 20th-century civic architecture in London.
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Gold Post Boxes
Scattered across London and beyond, gold-painted post boxes celebrate Team GB’s victories at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Each one marks the hometown of a gold medallist, creating a nationwide tribute to British sporting achievements.
The first appeared in June 2012, with over 110 eventually painted across the UK. London locations include Westminster and St. James’s, where the boxes stand out against their traditional red counterparts.
A small plaque beside each box details the athlete it honours, making them an unusual but significant piece of sporting history.
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Cafe at Storey’s Gate
Tucked away in St. James’s Park, Stories Café occupies a historic cottage with a unique past. Originally built for the royal birdkeeper, the building later served as a small police station before being repurposed as a café.
Today, it offers drinks and light refreshments with a view of the park’s lake and gardens. The cosy interior and outdoor seating make it a quiet retreat from the busy streets nearby.
Few visitors realise the building’s long history, adding to its charm as a hidden spot in one of London’s most famous parks.
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Pelicans in St. James’s Park
Pelicans have lived in St. James’s Park for centuries, a tradition that began in 1664 when the Russian ambassador gifted them to King Charles II.
Today, a small group of pelicans can often be seen near the lake, perching on rocks or gliding through the water. The best time to see them up close is during their daily feeding, between 2 and 3 PM, near the Duck Keeper’s Cottage.
Despite being a short walk from Buckingham Palace, many visitors are unaware of this long-standing royal connection.
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Duck Island Cottage
Tucked into the landscape of St. James’s Park, the Duck Keeper’s Cottage looks like something from the English countryside rather than central London.
This historic building, with its brickwork and pitched roof, was once home to the park’s official duck keeper, responsible for maintaining the bird population.
While no longer a residence, it still functions as an administrative centre for the Royal Parks team. Its picturesque setting makes it one of the most charming and little-known structures in the area.
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Tomb of Giro the Dog
A small, easily overlooked gravestone on Carlton House Terrace marks the final resting place of Giro, a German ambassador’s dog from the 1930s.
Giro belonged to Leopold von Hoesch, who represented Nazi Germany in Britain before World War II.
The inscription, written in German, describes Giro as “a true companion” and notes that he died in 1934 after accidentally electrocuting himself on an electric cable.
It remains one of London’s most unusual graves, standing just outside the former German embassy.
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Lancaster House
This grand 19th-century mansion, just behind St. James’s Palace, is best known today as a filming location. Often used as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace, it has appeared in productions like The Crown and The King’s Speech.
Originally built for the Duke of York, the house later hosted lavish political gatherings, including meetings of the European Economic Community.
Though government-owned and rarely open to the public, its stunning gilded interiors and grand staircase have made it one of London’s most recognisable backdrops for period dramas.
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St. James’s Palace
Built by Henry VIII in the 1530s, St. James’s Palace remains an active royal residence, though it is often overshadowed by Buckingham Palace.
It was the official home of British monarchs until the 19th century and still hosts formal state occasions today. The building features Tudor red-brick architecture, with its distinctive clock tower and gatehouse surviving from Henry’s time.
While the palace itself is not open to visitors, its Chapel Royal occasionally allows public access for services.
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Pall Mall and St. James’s Street
Pall Mall and St. James’s Street have long been associated with London’s most exclusive gentlemen’s clubs and historic businesses.
Clubs such as White’s, Boodle’s, and The Reform Club have operated here for centuries, serving politicians, aristocrats, and royals. Alongside them, traditional outfitters, cigar shops, and wine merchants continue to serve their long-established clientele.
Many of these businesses hold Royal Warrants, supplying the monarchy with goods ranging from fine wines to hand-tailored suits.
Despite their prestigious history, the streets remain accessible to visitors keen to glimpse this side of old London.
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Lock & Co. Hatters
Founded in 1676, Lock & Co. Hatters is the world’s oldest hat shop and one of London’s most historic independent businesses.
Over the centuries, it has supplied headwear to figures such as Admiral Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill, and Oscar Wilde.
The shop is particularly known for inventing the bowler hat in 1849, designed to protect gamekeepers from low-hanging branches.
Still located at 6 St. James’s Street, the shop maintains its original wooden interior and continues to craft handmade hats for clients worldwide.
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Berry Bros. & Rudd
Established in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s oldest wine merchant, originally operating as a grocer before specialising in fine wines and spirits.
The shop, still in its original St. James’s Street location, has counted members of the royal family and historical figures like Lord Byron and William Pitt among its customers.
Inside, antique scales used to weigh clients—once a popular service for high society—are still displayed. Today, Berry Bros. & Rudd remains a respected name in the world of wine, offering tastings and a renowned private cellar.
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Former Texas Embassy
For three years in the 1840s, the Republic of Texas maintained an embassy in London while it was an independent nation. Located near Trafalgar Square, the building served as a diplomatic base until Texas joined the United States in 1845.
Although no longer an embassy, its past remains a curiosity, marking Texas’s brief period as a sovereign state with international recognition.
Today, the site is occupied by commercial businesses, but its history as one of London’s most unexpected diplomatic outposts is still noted with a plaque.
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Westminster Cathedral
Often confused with Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Built in the late 19th century, its striking Byzantine-style architecture, with red-and-white brickwork and a towering campanile, sets it apart from the city’s older Gothic churches.
The interior boasts intricate mosaics, marble columns, and one of London’s most impressive choir performances.
Visitors can climb to the top of the bell tower for a panoramic view of the city, a lesser-known alternative to other viewing platforms in Westminster.
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