London - Any Hidden Gems?

Stompa

I frequently visit London (because it's pretty easy for me to get to) to do a bit of exploring. However, I'm starting to run out of places to go.

I've 'done' most of central London, the touristy bits, Greenwich, Docklands, Camden, East End, etc.... So, does anybody know of any hidden gems out there (accessible by tube) that might be worth a visit?

Thanks

Chris25

Have you been to the Geffrye Museum, in Shoreditch? http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/

or the Bank of England Museum (only open during the week though) http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/museum/

Stompa

Chris25 wrote: »

Have you been to the Geffrye Museum, in Shoreditch? http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/

or the Bank of England Museum (only open during the week though) http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/museum/

Ah, many thanks, that's the sort of thing I'm after. Strangely I was in Shoreditch last week, but didn't spot the Geffrye Museum.

Browntoa

Pollock’s Toy Museum just off Tottenham Court Road in central London

http://www.pollockstoymuseum.com/

Named after Benjamin Pollock, a famous printer of toy theatres at the turn of the century, Pollock’s Toy Museum opened in 1956 and is dedicated to the traditional English toy theatre.

This London tourist attraction has numerous displays of puppets, stages and theatres and is an enthralling glimpse into a bygone era and a lost art. London visitors can also view the large collection of toys from around the world, from houses to train sets

Stompa

Browntoa wrote: »

Pollock’s Toy Museum just off Tottenham Court Road in central London

Yes, I've walked past that one - but it looks so tiny that I've never felt it was worth venturing inside! Perhaps I should take a look if I'm in the area.

Browntoa

http://www.bootsnall.com/travelstories/europe/sep04lon.shtml

Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green
For a museum that has the United Kingdom's largest collection of childhood toys, games, and clothing dating back from the 1500's, this is one of London's hidden treasures that doesn't make the cut of most tourist itineraries to London. Maybe it's because it's far from central and west London, located on the less than chic East End. And while many toy and childhood-themed museums in London charge admission, this one does not!

Browntoa

or the strange !!

http://highgate-cemetery.org/index.asp

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There are known to be at least 850 notable people buried at Highgate, about two thirds of whom appear in the Dictionary of National Biography and most of the others in either Modern English Biography, Who Was Who, in the obituary notices in the Press, or in Graves "Dictionary of Exhibitors at the Royal Academy 1796-1906". Amongst these are 18 Royal Academicians, 6 Lord Mayors of London, 48 Fellows of the Royal Society, the founders of London businesses including Maples, Foyles, Negretti-Zambra, John Lobb, P&O, and Quaritch, and familiar names such as Faraday, Karl Marx, George Eliot, Radclyffe Hall, Carl Rosa and Sir Ralph Richardson.[/FONT]

Stompa

Browntoa wrote: »

Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green

Too late, did that one a few weeks ago whilst visiting the Paradise Gardens Festival:

http://www.paradisegardens.org.uk/

in nearby Victoria Park!

ali1972

The Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields. But check the website as it is only open on certain days of the month. Close to Liverpool St Station Tube.

Also, The Wallace Collection in Marylebone. Close to Bond St Tube.

katiesmummy

Stompa wrote: »

Ah, many thanks, that's the sort of thing I'm after. Strangely I was in Shoreditch last week, but didn't spot the Geffrye Museum.

i live near shoreditch, so if you go to the geffrye museum you can pop in for a cuppa lol

patrick0

Have you been to Borough Food Market on a Saturday morning? Get there by 10am though as it gets very busy later. If you get the northern line then go to London Bridge and take the Borough High St exit from the tube station - watch the people and you'll see the entrance (there are about 10 different entrances). It's open on Thursday and Friday but there's not many stallholders on those days.

Or the Sir John Soane museum - I've not been there but have heard quite a few people saying it's well worth visiting.