Secret London - An Unusual Guide (Jonglez Guides)

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London is famous for its waterways, and some of the best views in town come from the network of canals, reservoirs and one certain big old river. The best way to see them is via boat, and there are a whole range of options here in London Town. From leisurely cruises along the Thames to speedboat rides, and canoe hire to white water rafting – yep, really – there are all sorts of ways to take to the water in London. Some of them you can even take your pooch on! So raise the flag, hoist the mainsail and anchors away! 49. Make some time for some wine Well deserving of its spot on this roundup of London activities you’ve got to try at least once in your life is indulging in a spot of high tea. But of course darlinggggg. From freshly-baked scones and warming cups of tea to egg and cress sarnies and classy flutes of bubbly, we like to think we’ve got the whole afternoon tea thing down here.

We always enjoy talking about Streatham Rookery. You know, the kind of smile that slides onto your face when you’re trying not to humblebrag that you know something the listener doesn’t, but you kind of are humblebragging all the same.These are special areas of the library that aren’t accessible to the general public. That is unless you have a reader’s card… You’re probably aware of the British Library. It’s a bit of a Meca for people trying to find a quiet spot to get productive in the city centre, and an iconic place in its own right. Do you know about its reading rooms though? A rambling, wild-feeling deer park on the outskirts of south-west London, Richmond Park is the second largest park in London, and it’s positively overflowing with wildlife and all that nature stuff too. Designated a special conservation area, it’s well worth exploring, with open grasslands and woodland trails with year-round appeal. Our city isn’t all concrete and chaos. Believe it or not, we also have castles, caves and calm – and all of this is within the confines of the M25. Seriously! Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful, traditional Hindu temple carved entirely out of stone, and it lays claim to being the largest Hindu temple outside of actual India.

You’d think that was a pretty far-fetched story but that’s exactly what happened with the Seven Noses of Soho . On the cusp of Farringdon and Holborn, the pub just so happens to be one of London’s historic drinking holes– there’s been a pub on these grounds since 1546 at least. Explore the life and times of romantic poet, John Keats, at his own house. He lived here during his most productive years and supposedly wrote “Ode to a Nightingale” under a pretty plum tree in the garden. There’s always something going on at the museum, including poetry readings and the opportunity to write your own poems. 18. Victoria Station Credit: Hugh Llewelyn– Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) They are a massive series of subterranean silver markets and shops on Chancery Lane. You wouldn’t know to look for if you just walked past the door, it’s the sort of place you have to search out for yourself. Greenwich already made it into this guide for The Tulip Stair. It’s about to make a second win for The Painted Hall. The place is a bit of a marvel of design, but if you’re into minimalism you’re not going to like it.

26. Escape into the world of photography

Part of the Unusual Guide series, this book provides information on hidden away or unusual gems spread across London. It’s ensconced underneath Smithfield Meat Market behind a rather unprepossessing door. Don’t worry, if you think you’ve found the right place, you probably have. Cross Bones Burial Ground Not all stories in Secret London are this grim, or this funny, but they are all equally fascinating and enlightening. The book finishes off with a list of 35 unusual bars, cafes and restaurants. Tyburn Tree and Speakers Corner - Some gallows and the centre of free speech in London, curiously positioned next to each other!

London's Roman Temple of Mithras - unfortunately you won't be able to see it for another few years. While he devotes one chapter to the underground city, it is very short and doesn't suggest any walking or riding routes. There are other guides to underground London that would give better coverage. And based on my tour with my neighbor Jeanne just a week or so ago through the area, his walks through the square mile City of London, while interesting, need updating because of the massive amounts of construction under way in the area. You see, the whole of the South Bank area used to be a breeding ground of rather scandalous occupations – whoring, gambling, fighting – it all used to happen on the South Bank. There were brothels aplenty, as well as some of the city’s poorest slums. The original church had the misfortune to burn down in the Great Fire of London. It was rebuilt by Christopher Wren, only to be bombed to a shell during The Blitz. London's Roman Basilica and Forum - At one time the largest Roman building north of the Alps, but to see the remains you'll need a haircut first...

That sounds pretty epic. Even by London standards where our attitude to old stuff is decidedly lax because there’s just so much of it.

Once you’ve got your reader’s card you can access all the previously inaccessible rooms. In them you’ll find plenty of empty desks and supreme quiet – something that’s missing from the BL’s main public areas.

9. Come face to face with a mighty dinosaur at the Natural History Museum

There are aquatic displays, musical instruments, ethnography, natural history – all thoughtfully curated and engagingly presented. It really is one of the most underrated things to do in London. Though the likelihood of you accidentally stumbling across this pub are about 0.00001% it’s the fact that it’s so well hidden that makes it one of London’s best kept secrets. Just remember that if it ever comes down to us being contenders for the last table. St James’s Palace It might seem weird for us to say that the city’s oldest restaurant is one of the secret spots in London, but bear with me… because I’m not talking about the restaurant itself, we’re talking about its absolutely jaw-dropping upstairs bar. You don’t have to travel all the way to Paris to be entertained by cabaret and burlesque. From breathtaking dance shows to Vegas-style glamour and plenty of bare skin, there’s loads here to keep you well and truly entertained, so have a gander at this list and see where takes your fancy! 40. Do things by the book Photo: Gay’s The Word