9 Lesser-Known Historical Sites in London You Won't Want to Miss

Tucked away just a few minutes from the Tower of London, All Hallows By The Tower Church is the oldest church in London, boasting more than 1,300 years of history, including sustaining damage during Great Fire of London and World War II. The church offers free guided tours on most weekdays, or you can explore more of London's Roman-era history at nearby landmarks such as Guildhall. Don't miss the Crypt Museum beneath the church, which features Roman and Saxon artifacts, ancient registers, and a Roman tessellated floor.

When it comes to hidden historical gems in London, things don’t get much more fabulous than the Strawberry Hill House & Garden. Just a short train ride from London Waterloo, the 18th-century castle was the brainchild of Horace Walpole, who wrote The Castle of Otranto which has been hailed as the world’s first Gothic novel. The Strawberry Hill House has architecture to match its creator's Gothic sensibility: Highlights include rich, red-wine-colored walls beneath dramatically vaulted ceilings; stained glass windows; wooden Georgian features; manicured gardens; and bone-white Gothic turrets.

Home to more than 50,000 living plants, Kew Gardens spreads across 326 acres (121 hectares). This UNESCO World Heritage site's horticulture dates back 250 years, when British royalty founded it, but its far-flung location means it's often overlooked.

Highlights of the sprawling natural complex include a carnivorous plants section, a rose garden with hundreds of blooms, an arboretum home to 14,000 trees, and King William’s Temple, built in 1837 in homage to Queen Victoria. You can explore at your own pace on a self-guided tour to ensure you’re privy to the gardens' rich history.

Just across the water from the HMS Belfast is St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden, a secret garden in the heart of the bustling city of London. Christopher Wren, the architect responsible for London landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Kensington Palace, designed the church, but after the Blitz bombings, nature took over. Today, vines and branches wind themselves around the historic walls, and light pours through the paneless windows, making this unexplored historical attraction in London a photographer’s dream—and a perfect place to escape the crowds of central London.

Completing London’s quartet of UNESCO World Heritage sites is Maritime Greenwich, which houses a cluster of underrated historic London landmarks. Head to the Royal Observatorya100476, home to the famous Harrison’s Clocks that pioneered modern timekeeping, and admire the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College, which is sometimes called England’s answer to the Sistine Chapel. The parks surrounding the buildings are also a lovely spot for a picnic on a sunny day.

Insider tip: Pack in some exta sightseeing when you take the scenic route to this outlying royal borough on a Thames River cruise from Westminster.

Leadenhall Market’s stunning architecture dates back to the Roman era; no wonder it has been featured in movies ranging from Harry Potter to Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. While this 14th-century market includes plenty of historical highlights such as a Roman mosaic, and the burial spot of legendary goose Old Tom, the market is also still active today. Head here to explore a wealth of boutique stores and restaurants serving everything from fine wines and British cheese boards to Argentine steak and Mexican tacos.

On a side street off a busy stretch of road between Boxpark Shoreditch and Liverpool Street station sits Dennis Severs' House, a townhouse built in 1724 for a wealthy family of silk weavers. Brought back from the brink of dereliction, the house is now carefully designed to feel like someone has just departed from it, and the paintings, upholstery, and decor of each room are modeled on different historical periods. The house is only open Thursday–Sunday, so book your tickets in advance to secure a spot.

Tucked away near some of the capital’s most recognizable landmarks is one of the lesser-known historical venues in London. The Buxton Memorial Fountain, a 19th-century water fountain erected to celebrate the abolition of slavery, is covered in bright mosaics depicting fables and scenes of emancipation. You'll find it in the Victoria Tower Gardens on the banks of the Thames River. It is also an ideal place to snap crowd-free photos of the back of the Houses of Parliament, as travelers exploring Westminster often overlook this serene riverfront garden.

Last on the list of London's hidden historical treasures is the London Wall, a piece of original Roman architecture used to defend and demarcate the boundaries of Roman Britain's capital. Just outside of Tower Hill Station, you'll stumble across one of the last remaining sections of the wall, which dates all the way back to 200 AD. Historical walking tours take you right back to Roman times, hitting ancient sites such as the London Wall, London's Roman Amphitheater, the Tomb of the Unknown Roman Girl, and many more significant sites.