As one of the world’s oldest and most eclectic capital cities, London feels like it’s always evolving. Between the mass of museums, independent shops, culinary diversity, and alternative events, t’s the type of place you could visit several times a year and still feel like you’ve only just scratched the surface. To dig deeper and discover this side of London, the one that beyond the tourist trail, you need the insider info on the new coolest, quirkest, and most up-and-coming places to stay, shop, eat, and see.
In this Off the Beaten Path in London Guide 2025/2026, we spill all the city’s best-kept secrets so that you can explore it more authentically and experience it at a deeper, more rewarding level than you’d get by standing in line for the London Eye and Tower Bridge. We take you to beer tasting in Bermondsey, cycling in Hyde Park, and boutique shopping in Seven Dials among many other things. Plus, we share how to spend a day in London’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods.
Hotels off the beaten path in London
The Standard, King’s Cross
From London to Bangkok, The Standard is redefining the hotel experience as a stylish hub for the social traveler. The King’s Cross destination, located directly beside the iconic station, combines a retro-inspired modern design-forward interiors with a selection of distinctive restaurants and bars. While day-to-night restaurant Isla offers seasonal dining in an English garden setting, the giant disco ball in Sweeties late-night lounge and discotheque sets the scene for a dance. Leaning into its upscale millennial persona, The Standard also features a curated library for the modern intellectual, a recording studio and podcast space, and a gym hosting workout classes by renowned London fitness gurus.
The Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden
The Henrietta Hotel is a 40-room boutique hotel set in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse in Covent Garden: the idyllic setting for a romanticized city stay for the luxury traveler. While highlighted by stately Georgian features like high ceilings and bay windows, the interiors blend contemporary decor with a theatrical Art Deco influence. Promising a sophisticated, but low-key stay, the hotel keeps things homely with an intimate bistro-style restaurant, Henri, which boasts seasonal cuisine by renowned British chef Jackson Boxer, and an intimate cocktail lounge. From the inside out, The Henrietta is all about the lifestyle it affords between its stylish setting and upscale location.
Artist Residence London
Immerse in London’s exciting creative scene at the Artist Residence London, a 10-room bohemian boutique hotel in a converted pub in Pimlico. Each spacious room is individually decorated in a way that encapsulates London’s edgy side. Imagine eclectic reclaimed furniture, exposed brick, vintage radios, freestanding clawfoot baths, and statement art by UK creatives. Perfect for those who prefer to feel like they’re staying in an artist friend’s flat rather than a copy-paste hotel. Downstairs, the residence boasts an all-day restaurant and cocktail bar serving everything from a full English breakfast to draft beer.
Neighborhoods off the beaten path in London
Hackney Wick
Sitting beside one of London’s oldest canals, the Hackney Wick and the Hoxton Docks were part of a vital waterway during the Industrial Revolution. After becoming run down, the area was regenerated as one of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones, an initiative that provides affordable housing and studio spaces for creatives. This once run-down East London neighborhood has blossomed into one of the coolest spots in the city. The vibe? Warehouse chic. Find galleries, open studios, and murals in warehouses around every corner, plus an enviable line-up of breweries, micro-theaters, and bars. Here’s how to spend the day in Hackney Wick:
Morning: Wander around Hackney Wick and discover its galleries and open studios, including Stour Space, White Building, and The Yard, to immerse yourself in London’s freshest creative scene.
Noon: Walk along Regent’s Canal towpath to Hoxton Docks for a bite to eat on a traditional barge called Barge East. Afterward, kayak along the canal to see the warehouses and houseboats of Hackney before rewarding yourself with a few craft beers at Howling Hops Brewery & Tank Bar.
Night: Grab dinner at Nico’s and get ready to experience Hackney Wick’s creative scene at night. Head to The Courtyard, a former library turned theater to see what music, plays, or events are on. If you’re ready for more, continue late into the night at queer-favorute, the Colour Factory.
Little Venice
Stroll along the tranquil, leafy junction of the London canals between Grand Union and Regent's Canals next to Warwick Avenue Station to find a quirky narrowboat community known as Little Venice. While many of the narrowboats are tiny homes for Londoners who prefer alternative living, others have been converted into cafes, restaurants, and even theaters. Meanwhile, Regency-style houses and mansions line the canal, adding to its charm. Despite being in central London, this small pocket of the city allows visitors to feel like they have been transported to the quaint English countryside. Here’s how to spend a day in Little Venice:
Morning: Stroll from the grungy Camden Locks along the canal to Regent’s canals where Little Venice begins. Once you’re there, join one of the narrowboat tours to learn about the area’s intriguing history and experience narrowboating for yourself.
Noon: Stop for a leisurely afternoon tea at the Waterside Cafe and watch canal life drift past as you indulge in cream tea.
Night: Catch some comedy at the Canal Cafe Theatre before stopping for a couple of canalside pints at The Union Tavern.
Walthamstow
Sitting at the end of the line on the London Underground, few wander into Walthamstow, but those who do will be surprised by its edgy yet wholesome vibe. Named London’s Best Place to Live 2025, the neighborhood is known for its friendly atmosphere, vibrant community spirit, and fun event line-up. Nowhere offers a better glimpse into local life in London. Find creative classes such as pottery and woodwork in its creative studios; browse the stalls of Europe’s longest daily street market, and sample its diverse food scene. Here’s how to spend a day in Walthamstow:
Morning: Start the day by browsing everything from vintage clothing to spices at Walthamstow Market. Then stop to appreciate the life and works of William Morris, one of Britain’s most influential designer, in his former home, now the William Morris Gallery.
Noon: Stop to refuel at one of the six food vendors in community creative space CRATE Walthamstow before trying your hand at woodwork in Blackhorse Workshop.
Night: Continue the night with a cocktail at God’s Own Junkyard, the wackiest neon-lit neon sign shop/bar you’ve ever seen. If there’s energy to spare, end the night at Mother’s Ruin Gin Palace where the vibes are as funky as the drinks.
Things to do off the beaten path in London
Explore the city by Lime bike
Forget the London Underground, the new way to explore the city is by Lime bike. Download the Lime app to find your nearest bike and scan the QR code to unlock it and cycle around the city. While it’s possible to ride on the roads, we recommend taking the scenic route through London’s leafy parks. Start in St James’ Park and cycle past Buckingham Palace into Hyde Park where you can stop for a picnic and get a glimpse of Kensington Palace. Afterward, head south to the calm streets of Kensington and Chelsea to stop for lunch and explore the galleries.
Visit the V&A East Storehouse, Hackney Wick
Opened in May 2025, this new museum space by V&A, located in a four-storey warehouse in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, is a working storehouse for the museum’s archived collections. This unique concept offers visitors the opportunity to witness the behind-the-scenes activities of archivists as they organize the V&A’s extraordinary archival objects. Visitors even have the special opportunity to ‘Order an Object’ that they want to inspect more closely.
Paddleboard along the River Thames
Rather than get packed like sardines onto an overpriced Thames tour boat to explore London’s iconic river, hop on a paddleboard instead. Accompanied by an instructor who will teach you all the basics of paddleboarding if you don’t have prior experience, the paddleboarding session will give you the chance to learn a fun new skill whilst allowing you to see some of London’s best landmarks from the water. Meanwhile, experienced paddleboarders can hire a board and SUP on their own terms.
The Vaults, Waterloo
Instead of seeing a polished play in the West End, check out London’s underground arts scene in the London Underground itself. From immersive theatre to art exhibitions and experimental performances, The Vaults hosts creative and theatrical events that seriously inspire in the atmospheric darkness of the industrial tunnels. Events are frequently rotating so check what’s on during your stay. Previous events have included ‘Plied and Prejudice’, ‘Stranger Sings’ and ‘Serial Killer: An Exhibition’.
Restaurants and bars off the beaten path in London
Bermondsey Beer Mile, Bermondsey
Try London’s best selection of craft beers on Bermondsey Beer Mile, a stretch of railway arches converted into a string of breweries, bottle shops, and taprooms, including Kernel, Anspach & Hobday, and Bianca Road.
Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey
This energetic curated street market celebrates international fare with a selection of gentrified street food stalls serving everything from cheese toasties to fresh oysters. Packed between railway arches, it’s smaller, more vibey, and far less crowded than Borough Market.
Peckham Levels Rooftop, Peckham
For casual food, drinks, and conversation in a social setting, head to Peckham Levels Rooftop. The reimagined multi-storey car park with creative studios below features food stalls, music, and event nights, accentuated by views of the London skyline.
Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials
Whether you’re looking for a quaint coffee break or a delicious dinner, Neal’s Yard will be one of the coolest spots you’ll stop at in London. The hidden courtyard in Covent Garden, easily spotted by its psychedelic facade, has been a hub for alternative living since the 70s, championing organic food, sustainability, and wellness. Try Wild Cafe for adaptogenic drinks and plant-based dishes.
Nightjar, Shoreditch
For the coolest cocktails in London, look no further than the Nightjar Shoreditch, an intimate, atmospheric speakeasy where live jazz lingers in the air as the drinks are poured. The cocktail menu is among the most inventive in the city, which isn’t hard to believe with drink names such as ‘Penicillin’, ‘Breakfast of Champions’, and ‘Naked & Famous’.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Head down the famous Fleet Street and look for a medieval sign that says ‘Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese’, and you’ll have found yourself at one of London’s oldest pubs, built in 1667 after the Great Fire of London. Grab yourself a real ale and find yourself a seat in one of the stuffy wood-paneled rooms and ponder the patrons that sat there before including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain.
Shopping off the beaten path in London
Find your next reads at Daunt Books
From the oak-paneled balconies to the bookworm staff, Daunt Books has everything you could want from an independent bookstore. While the outside looks small and unassuming, the inside is a Harry Potter-esque store that stretches far beyond your expectations. Adding to its quirks, the shelves are arranged by country instead of genre for a unique browsing experience.
Boutique shopping in Seven Dials
The quaint streets of Seven Dials in Central London are a cool girl’s haven for independent shopping and dining. Find everything from clothing and accessories to perfume and skincare in Instagrammable boutiques like Tatty Devine, Miller Harris, and Magma. When you get peckish, stop by Seven Dials Market to find over 20 food and drink vendors under one roof.
Redchurch Street
Everyone has heard of Brick Lane, a shopping street in East London known for its iconic vintage and alternative fashion, but most people overlook the adjacent Redchurch Street. While it has the same off-beat, eclectic essence as Brick Lane, Redchurch Street is focused on more refined fashion with curated boutiques, design stores, and creative concept shops. Must-stops include Labour & Wait, UJNG, and SCRT®.
Church Street Antiques
As one of the most historically influential design capitals of the world, there’s nowhere better to go antiquing than London. From upscale antiqueries to bric-a-brac, you’re never too far from antiques wherever you go, but Church Street in Marylebone is your safest bet for the best finds. It features a collective of 15 independent antique dealers, each specializing in their own niche. Head to Aaron Nejad Gallery for contemporary art and design, Dorian Caffot de Fawes for a range of fine art and antiques, and Les Trois Garçons for eclectic and vintage furniture.
Create your personalized London itinerary
Now that you’ve read our off-the-beaten-path guide to London 2025/2026, you’ll likely have a better idea of how to spend your time in the city. Whether you feel ready to create an itinerary or want more recommendations, our Tripsby Travel Planner is here to assist you. All you have to do is give us a rough summary about your travel style and preferences and in a matter of minutes, we will provide a bookable itinerary or recommendations. Extraordinary travel has never been so effortless! Get started now.
