As the capital city of the UK, visitors from around the world flock to London throughout the year to see the many famous and historical sites. While there are many must-see attractions for first-time visitors, London is somewhere you could return to over and over again, always finding something new to explore. On a recent trip to London, I took my camera and uncovered some new areas that are often overlooked by visitors on their travels.
Small streets of London
When you think about the streets of London, Oxford Street and Regent Street might be two of the most popular areas that spring to mind. Many areas of London are filled with charming side streets, where you can discover small boutiques, historical sites, and local restaurants. I loved uncovering some of the smaller hidden streets. They reminded me that you should always try and take the less trodden path, as you never know what jewels will be hidden on your journey. Botolph Alley and Lovat Lane are two great examples of small atmospheric London streets.
Mouse in Philpot Lane
Although it’s wise to look where you are going in London, it’s also good to look up once in a while. The Philpot Lane mice are a fun example of this, although there appears to be no clear reason why they were placed here. There are many theories, but it may have been a joke by the construction team back in 1862, which still delights passersby today.
Lloyds building near Leadenhall Market
The Lloyd’s Building features Pompidou style modern architecture, highlighting the futuristic designs that are now so common in the City of London. While the building has been standing strong for a couple of decades now, it still wows visitors with its glass and stainless steel design. The external lifts offer you a glimpse into life here, allowing you to wonder what working inside is like.
The Royal Exchange
The Royal Exchange is home to these fun statues, which are located at the main entrance of the building. The Paparazzi Dogs greet visitors and were crafted from bronze by the creative duo of Gillie and Marc from New York. They’ve travelled the world and have now arrived here for the time being to welcome guests to the building.
More small streets
Still more small streets greeted me on my journey around London as I headed towards one of the most famous landmarks in the city, Saint Paul’s.
View of Saint Paul’s
Heading up onto the Roof Terrace at One New Change offered me this incredible view over Saint Paul’s. It’s open from sunrise to midnight, so it’s the perfect spot to head for sunset at the end of a busy day exploring the city.
Lunch at Borough Market
After all of this walking, I started to feel quite hungry. I headed to Borough Market for lunch, where you can find any type of food imaginable. The diversity of the stands here is incredible, with cheeses, baked goods, and street food to please anyone. It’s the ideal spot for a midday break before heading out to explore more of the city.
A Stroll Around Chinatown and Soho
Chinatown and Soho are two of the most popular spots in London with visitors, but they are still frequented by locals thanks to their fantastic range of bars and restaurants. Chinatown makes you feel like you’ve been transported to Asia, whereas Soho offers you a glimpse into local life here in London. This is another great spot for lunch or an evening meal before heading to a show at one of the nearby West End theatres. The food on offer here is incredibly authentic, allowing you to sample dishes that you might not have tried before.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a photographer’s dream, with something new going on every time you visit this area. I always find a new display for the season or new stands at the market to explore. The quaint stores are perfect for anyone hunting for a London souvenir, and there’s some of the top dining locations in the city in the area too. With a history dating back hundreds of years, I love that the tradition of street performers still continues to this day here.
The London Millennium Footbridge
The London Millennium Footbridge is a 325m long suspension bridge that crosses over the River Thames. Finishing off my tour for the day, I loved exploring the various bridges and admiring the boats down below on the water. This bridge only opened on June 10th 2000, and it links the Tate Modern with the City of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. As there hadn’t been a new bridge for over 100 years over the river, the modern design of the London Millennium Footbridge is something that impresses visitors.
Views of London from Various Bridges
I can never get enough of the incredible views over the River Thames. No matter what time of the day or night you are visiting, there’s always something to see. It’s well worth visiting the various bridges, as each of them offers you a unique perspective, as you can see from the photos I’ve shared here. Taking a picnic down to the riverfront would be the perfect way to spend an afternoon, and you’ll love watching the boats go up and down the river. I could simply spend all day walking along the bridges, taking in the different viewpoints of the city as I go.
My day in London offered me the chance to explore both some of the more touristic sites and some hidden treasures of the city. You’ll find that every time you visit the city, there’s something new to see. London is somewhere I could never get tired of, especially when wandering around with my camera in hand. I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into my day in London, and I can’t wait to return again soon to see what’s new in this city that never sleeps.
Header photo by Ming Jun Tan on Unsplash
Article photos by Silas Jenner ©2022