London's Hidden Walks: Volumes 1-3

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St Dunstan in the East– this Wren church was devastated by World War II bombings and its ruins are now draped in entangled vines and branches. It makes a striking picture. Working lunch spots I have additional London walks in the pipeline, and they’ll all end up on my London walking map when I’ve published them. If you want to see more of the city, you can also take a look at my London neighborhoods map. The sixth of my secret London walks will take you along Regent’s Canal from Maida Vale to King’s Cross. 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. This canal walk goes past everything from the colorful boats in Little Venice to the buzzing stalls in Camden Market. It even goes through the London Zoo in Regent’s Park.

Still, there’s no denying that some of London’s mews are rather attractive – but as they pop up on the ‘gram with increasing frequency, some of them are starting to feel like a rather boring slow-mo circus of awkwardly posed models. I hope you enjoy these self-guided London walking tours as much as I have, and that you get a chance to explore all the city’s secret spaces. Happy walking! Make no bones about it though, if you’re not discovering secret places in London, you’re only hearing half the story.

Far from the stuffy suit-fest some people assume it to be, the financial district of The City of London is filled with hidden treasures including many a Roman ruin. If you’re curious about this secret London walk, you can find the full route, map, photos, and video on my Clerkenwell walking tour blog post. On the way, you’ll take in the best of Richmond, from the little lanes to the Thames Path. At the end, you’ll have options for continuing your walk in whatever way suits your tastes. We’ve all gone through our fair share of “OMFG I love London” and “ugh, I’m so bored – all I wanna do is sit at home and drink tea” phases with this weird and wonderful city we call home. Been there, done that

So we decided, like any good, inquisitorial journalist / nosey person to read up a bit more and lo. Only goes and turns out that it’s one of the coolest viewing points in London.

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. Just remember that if it ever comes down to us being contenders for the last table. St James’s Palace Even jaded Londoners find these London Walks a source of astonishing gems of information about the city in which they live.” Daily Mail, Top London Treats We’re not throwing shade. Believe us, we are not (well, we kind of are but in the friendliest, loveliest way).

We can’t see how you can resist just the smallest amount of wonder as you poke around through thousands of exotic plants, vines trailing from the upper levels and greenery winding between the concrete structures. We just can’t… but you do you boo.The first of my secret London walks is in Hampstead. This is one of my favorite north London neighborhoods, and its village atmosphere makes it a great area for walks. Blue plaques high up on the outer walls of buildings tease us with a tiny amount of information about the people who were born, lived, stayed, died, or did something extraordinary there. This book is a fantastic way to find out more about the people celebrated by over 900 plaques all over the city and bring home the fact that you are walking down the same streets that they once did. 3. London Pub Walks, Bob Steel

Crossrail Place Roof Garden – on top of the architecturally striking Crossrail Place at Canary Wharf is a super modern, show-stopping conservatory. Cleverly, plants are placed according to their origins – East or West. It’s all very well and good extolling the virtues of exploring the unexplored places in London but who has the time to do all that research? To weed through the copious amounts of chaff to find the stuff that’s really worth doing?

9. Hampstead Heath, North London

If you want to go on this one, you can find the route, map, photos, and video on my Hampstead walk blog post. We’re still not 100% convinced by the fact that what ultimately used to be stables for horses have somehow become some of the most expensive residences in an already expensive city… but that’s London for you. These are special areas of the library that aren’t accessible to the general public. That is unless you have a reader’s card… The third of my of my secret London walks is in Greenwich. This southeast London neighborhood is known for its maritime history, famous park, covered market, and Royal Observatory. You can see a lot more walks in the book London’s Hidden Walks, too. You can get it here. It’s just the thing if you love exploring under-the-radar areas in the city. There are more ideas in my London walking books post as well.