London Tourism: Something Different

~ beetleypete

Away from the open-top buses and the packed touris magnets in the centre of the city, there are some unusual things to see there that justify making the extra effort to travel to see them.

St John’s Gate.
Built in 1504 as a monastic priory, this ancient gate in Clerkenwell remains to show us what London would have looked like at the time of Henry VII.
It is now the museum of The Order of St John, and entry is free. Opening times and more information can be found on the website.

The Museum of the Order of St John

Sir John Soane’s Museum.
The fascinating collection on display in the house where Sir John lived from 1792, in the historic district of Lincoln’s inn Fields.
Entry is free, and opening times can be found on the website.
https://www.soane.org/

The Horniman Museum.
This 1901-built museum will require an easy train journey to the south of the centre, but you will be rewarded with a collection of cultural artifacts and exhibits from the natural world. The gardens are also extensive.
Entry is free, with charges for some extra exhibitions. Details on the website.
https://www.horniman.ac.uk/

Kew Gardens: The Royal Botanic Gardens.
Located to the south west of London, this can be accessed via the London Underground. The world famous gardens and glasshouses contain botanical samples from all over the planet, situated in lovely peaceful grounds. You could easily spend a full day there, but allow at least a half-day for a visit. Tickets cost £15 per adult. More information on the website.
https://www.kew.org/

The Thames Barrier.
Accessed south of the river near the district of Woolwich, this engineering marvel saves London from being flooded by the River Thames, and is an amazing sight straddling the great river.
https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/information/product-catch-all/thames-barrier-information-centre-p1399241

The Painted Hall, Greenwich.
This amazing Painted Hall is part of the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich. Take a riverboat trip from Westminster to Greenwich Pier, and see London from the river on the way. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults, but last for a whole year of visits. More information on the website.

Painted Hall

Six unusual things to see that will not usually be on any tourist itinerary.

44 thoughts on “London Tourism: Something Different”

  2. Oh, i think i would be able spending a whole live in London only by strolling to and through all the interesting museums, bars and also nightclubs. If there would be a lottery for a free seat in the House of Lords, you will get me. Lol 🙂 xx Michael P.S.: I would even agree to be knighted. :-))

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  9. I never went to any of those places nor heard of some. I lived only 2 mile from Kew. It shows the depth of the beauty of London. Thanks for the wee tear drop Pete

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  13. Very, very long ago I went to Kew with my mum who adored flowers. While at boarding school I went on school trips to Montecute House, Glastonbury, Wells Cathedral. Later I saw York Minster and one or two others. Stonehenge and Avebury were enroute to Devizes. I did love it and in many ways I would love to have gone back but I had been made a stranger in my own country and going back would have involved too many complications. I love seeing posts like this.

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    1. Yes, it was built on the actual site of The Garden of Eden, in Forest Hill, South London The serpent is stuffed, and on display, and you can see the apple core in a glass case. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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