Eminent English writer Samuel Johnson once wrote “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. When budget is tight, options can be limited. But London is a wonderfully diverse and vibrant city with pockets of fascinating activities in every borough. If you know where to look, you can unearth some hidden and best of all, free, gems to enjoy around the English capital. Here are some less known places I recently visited and enjoyed for nothing.
Daunt Hills Book Store
Daunt Hills Books was founded by James Daunt in the the beautiful Edwardian premises in the heart of London and was originally built for antiquarian booksellers Francis Edwards in 1910.
At the heart of Daunt Hills is the long galleries main room which has as it’s main focus a glazed partly stained glass. The intention, as it is today, is to arrange books according to country, no matter the type of book be it fiction, non-fiction, history or guide. It naturally is a great browsing experience for travelers and general readers alike.
Founded on the value of providing premium service, the book store gathered loyal fans immediately and expanded over into 84 Marylebone High Road. Toward the end of the 1990’s two more branches were open at Haverstock Hill, in Belsize Park, and South End Road in Hampstead.
From it’s humble beginnings, Daunt Hills is continuing to gather loyal fans and has since opened new shops new shops opened in leafy Holland Park and on the Fulham Road in Chelsea in the 2000s. In 2010 Daunt Books added its latest shop on Cheapside, next to Bow Church.
Although Daunt Hills books store now has many book store, the original site for this popular book store continues to draw curious visitors to see this unique and beautiful book store for themselves.
Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill is an open parkland located in the North-West of London. The hill, which is 98 meters (322 feet) is notable for it’s famous views of London famous landmarks including The Shard, Canary Wharf, The Gherkin and St. Pauls’ Cathedral.
Originally a point of defence for troops loyal to Parliament during the English Civil War, the hill was often referred to as Traitor’s Hill. Legend states that Parliament Hill was the point Guy Fawkes and his accomplice Robert Catesby planned to watch the destruction of Parliament in the Gunpowder plot on the 5th November 1605. More recently, the land was used to rear livestock for Smithfield Market until the 1940’s.
Nowadays, Parliament Hill is sporting a state-of-the-art adventure playground and play host to a farmer’s market . It’s a vast and family friendly park and if you have the little ones in tow, Parliament Hill is great way to enjoy the outdoors with the family.
Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is a museum in London with a world-class collection of fine and decorative paintings ranging from the 15th to 19th century with a particularly large collection of 18th century French arts, porcelain and decoratives.
It was established in 1897 and many of the art work belonged in the private collection of Richard Seymour-Conway, 4th Marquess of Hertford. Richard left his art collection and the house to his illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace, whose wife, following Sir Richard’s death, later bequeathed the entire collection to the nation on the condition that no collection or art ever leave the building even for loan exhibitions.
The museum was opened in 1990 and is situated in Hertford House, Manchester Square, Marylebone where it remains housed in its entirety ever since. It is open free of charge for the public to the visit.
The Wallace Collection is often overlooked in favour of more renowned museum such as the British Museum in Bloomsbury and Natural History Museum in South Kensington. However, the Wallace Collection remains a pleasant and peaceful alternative to its often busy and crowded museum siblings.
Kingly Court
Kingly Court is a unique food hub which brings together some of the best international food concepts in restaurants, bars, food in a vibrant court-yard. During the summer it is open-air whilst in the winter, it is covered.
Compacted into three-storeys high and ranging from Japanese to Caribbean, there’s sure to be something to tickle your fancy.
Tucked neatly beside Carnaby Street in the heart of London (5 minutes walk from Oxford Circus station), Kingly Court is vibrant at night as it is in the day and a good place to chill out after a day of activities away and a nice alternative from your Covent Gardens and Leicester Squares.
Penny for your thoughts? Is there somewhere I should check out soon? Is there a museum that should be in the list. Let me know down below!
Kritt Normsaskul 