Hidden gems for a repeat visitor

The Banqueting House is a true gem, and is practically hidden in plan sight, right along Whitehall Street. The elaborate ceiling with paintings by Reubens, and being the only surviving part of the huge Whitehall palace that had dated back to Tudor times, and its convenient location between Westminster Abbey and the National Gallery made it a favorite sight when we visited just before the Pandemic hit. Since then, it’s been open only sporadically. From the Website, it looks like guided tours are being offered, but the schedule only mentions up through February. If you can fit it in during your two days in May, it would be a treat. Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/#gs.33kk2b

You haven’t been to either Tate gallery yet. Or I’d see what exhibitions are on at the museums and galleries and book one of them. That way even if you’ve been before you see something new.

The Wallace Collection is another small gallery.

Personally they're all worth return visits. Galleries get updated with new artifacts or technology and special exhibitions close and new ones open. Plus I've surely missed or overlooked something, so it's always been enjoyable to make return visits. I was especially pleased to make a return visit to the Museum of London before it closed for its move and will go again when it opens at its new location.

• Windsor Castle, which can fill up a whole day.

• Kew Gardens (site of Queen Charlotte's Cottage and Gardens and of course, Kew Palace and gardens galore) and maybe stop in nearby Richmond for some lovely walks afterward.

• See the Horse Guards parade (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/buckingham-palace-and-changing-of-the-guards)

• Enjoy some of the free lunchtime concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields (and have lunch amongst the tombstones at the wonderful Cafe in the Crypt).

• One of my favorite places is St. Paul's Church in Covent Garden (known as the Actors' Church), where you can visit a lovely church designed by Inigo Jones in the early 1600's, and see the memorials to the many actors. It's a beautiful and very peaceful place, especially if you visit the gardens. You can spot memorials to long-deceased actors and some have had their ashes interred here, including Dame Ellen Terry and Sir Michael Redgrave.

Thanks for the suggestions! I forgot about the Tates - might need to visit one or both. I do know exhibitions at museums and galleries change, but since I expect to be in London again within the year, I wanted to see something new this time around. Although I didn't get to view the Lindisfarne Gospels on my stop at the British Library, so if those are on display I'll be hightailing it there!

Eltham Palace is one of my favourite places to visit in the London area. Easily accessible from central London and well worth a visit.

National Portrait Gallery and Dulwich Picture Gallery (not large, and a gem).

Here's an odd suggestion. Although not related to British history or literature, The Churchill War Rooms offer a unique view of the dire times during WWII. Google it and see if it holds any interest.

We loved the Churchill War Rooms!

Leighton House Museum

Sambourne House Museum https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/

Kenwood House. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/

I’ve been in London countless times, but this time I visited the Wallace Collection, a small but great museum just off Oxford St.
Well worth it.

Wallace Collection, Sir John Sloane Museum, National Poetry Library, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leighton House Museum, Dennis Sever House, Maltby Market, Strawberry Hill House, Royal Naval Academy and the Painted Hall, Greenwich Observatory, Sambourne House, Brunel Museum and the Thames Tunnel, the Postal Museum, Bethlam Museum of the Mind.

Been traveling to and enjoying London for decades. Always discover somewhere new to explore each trip.

Have fun.

Thank you for your post. Just bookmarked it. We’ve visited most of the same attractions and I’m also looking for some hidden gems.
Happy travels!

There’s also the Imperial War Museum. So much to see there.

Great ideas. I have been to Dulwich and seen the Picture Gallery and the Horniman - both fabulous. Enjoyed the Royal Observatory, Naval Academy and Queen's House in Greenwich as well. Some of the smaller museums look very appealing, so I may choose one or two of those.

There are always special exhibits at the museums. Look into V&A, British Museum, Royal Academy, National Gallery etc. which may have something in your interest even if you have seen the regular collection on a previous visit. Or visit a section of a museum you didn't see before. Most in London are free so no reason not to stop in even if you spend just one hour or so.

See which London Walks are available. You might find one or more that interest you.

Postman’s Park near St Paul’s Cathedral

You have already received so many suggestions. I have been to London more than a dozen times, more recently this past December. Like you, I am looking for new areas to explore each time along with returning to a few favorites. Here are some suggestions. I tried not to replicate those that you have already received.

• Check out any special events, exhibitions that reflect your interests. Visit London and TimeOut are good sources. For example, this December, I was able to have a small group (less than 30) tour of Buckingham Palace. It was wonderful to see it decorated for Christmas and learn not only about the history, but some of the holiday traditions. It was one of the highlights of my trip.
• Visit London Walks: depending upon the day you are in town, they have walks regarding the period of history you are interested in along with walks that explore Shakespeare and Dickens.
• Take a Food Tour and explore a different area of London: I have taken the Eating Europe East End Tour: https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/east-end-food-tour/ twice now (in 2019 and this December). It is a great way to learn more about this area which is not only rich in history, but has some of the best street art in the city. You get to eat some really tasty treats, from the bacon sandwich to Pakistani food on Brick Lane. Not to be missed is the Humble Crumble. I am obsessed with this riff on this humble staple of stewed apples with crumble topping. Humble Crumble adds a Creme Anglaise, fresh brulied marshmallow topping with candied rose hips.

Besides Timeout and Visit London websites checkout London x London and a Lady in London.

Reviewing London Walks is a great idea. I take one each visit. Most recent was Inns of the Court.

I also like finding a street market. Not a shopper but simply enjoy the people watching and seeing what vendors are selling. Food offerings are plentiful.

I also look for street art ( Shoreditch neighborhood is known for it). Hipster neighborhoods these days include Peckam and Hackney Wick.

I took a tour of Spencer House and thoroughly enjoyed it.

https://www.spencerhouse.co.uk/tours

Yes, thanks for this post! We will be there in the beginning of May and it is our 3rd time.
So we appreciate all of these ideas.

We will be heading to Richmond, Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace.

I saw on the Smithsonian's Searching for Secrets: London, a feature on Banqueting House, as someone recommended. They only have one tour date in May, and it is already sold out, so others should plan ahead for that one.

Re: British Literature....In 2017 I decided to see two singular sites on this very topic... The house/museum of Charles Dickens and Dr. Johnson. Well worth it if you're interest is in that direction as is mine.

You've done well to see so many attractions in just a couple trips!

I'd recommend Shoreditch and Spitalfields as an afternoon trip, especially on a weekend. The area is filed with local vendors and some surprisingly complex history, as it's been home to almost every major immigrant group to arrive in London since the mid-17th century from the Huguenots to Jewish immigrants to now a thriving Bangladeshi population. Brick Lane on a Sunday especially is filled with music, neat vintage shops and some very interesting street food vendors.

We were in London for 11 days this past October and one of the things we really wanted to do was take the guided tour of the Parliament. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it work with our schedule, so we will just have to go back! You have gotten some great suggestions, so I’m taking notes as well!

Adding to the many excellent suggestions you’ve received do check to see if the cabman’s shelter in Chelsa is open and serving. Believe it has been renamed Cafe Pier.

Cabman shelters are a dying breed….so if this one is still operating check it out.

Any interest in the Petrie Museum?

Richmond Park to see the fallow deer.

A visit to The Griffin in Brentford to see the pub cat and enjoy a traditional pub. Go after exploring the nearby Syon House and Gardens.

Walk along the Richmond Canal path from the Coal Drop Yards at Kings Cross to Camden Lock.

The canals of Little Venice.

Chelsea Physic Garden

The walnut shrimp at Joy King Lau in Chinatown.

Splurge and have a meal or drink at the gorgeous Booking Office at St Pancras Station.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. You need to plan ahead for it, but well worth it.
~Darrel

There is The London Silver Vaults. Its not a museum. Its part shopping mall and vault. A bit like walking into Fort Knotts. The shop keepers are all great though, even if you have no interest in buying anything. I agree with anyone saying to do the KEW, especially, if you can arrange a boat ride up or down the Thames from London.

I'm late to the party but if you're still interested...

On my last trip to London (July 2023), I visited and recommend:
Keat's House in Hampstead, followed by a walk through Hampstead Heath and then on to a tour of Highgate Cemetery
Chelsea Physic Garden
A play at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
A river cruise to Kew Gardens, then on to Kelmscott House (William Morris) followed by a riverside pub dinner and drink
The Borough Market and then into Southwark Cathedral (actually attended a lecture on Anne Boleyn and QE1 by Tracy Borman) - was treated to several sightings of Hodge the Cathedral Cat! The Cathedral has some lovely small gardens surrounding it.
A long-overdue revisit to the V&A

I've already got a few things on my list for my next visit:
Charles Dickens House
Kenwood House
The Foundling Museum
The London Silver Vaults
The Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret

I've been to England/London about a dozen times and I, too, like to find a few different/unusual things to do whenever I visit.