london, a bustling metropolis with nearly 9 million residents, thousands of shops and streets, hundreds of landmarks, and a multitude of diverse neighborhoods. each year, around 15 million people visit this vibrant city. spanning an area of 1,572 square kilometers, there’s so much to explore that even the smallest corners hold something special. but where does one begin without feeling overwhelmed?

what if you're searching for more than just the crowds and international brands swarming oxford street? what if you already know london's iconic sights like the back of your hand—or want to redefine them for yourself? the tranquility of a sunday morning, authentic shops and small businesses, quiet cafés, and the comforting feeling of finding a little piece of home.

in november 2024, frank and i embarked on a heartfelt quest to discover these magical, one-of-a-kind places during our trip to london. and we found them! places that are uniquely "london", supporting small businesses and sparking dreams. on the opposite side of oxford street, you’ll find some of london’s most distinctive neighborhoods, brimming with character and charm:

what follows is a guide to the hidden gems that offer a different, more authentic side of london, waiting to be uncovered.

the eastern side of london

without a doubt, the east of london is the area we fell in love with the most and, as a result, spent the most time exploring. here, life and its residents thrive, with streets brimming with character, charm, and uniqueness. this is the london we had been searching for. below are some of the most beautiful places you must visit:

colombia road

frank and i consider columbia road to be the most beautiful street in london! located in the east end, it sits on the edge of the city, with shoreditch to the west and brick lane and spitalfields nearby. columbia road is one of the few streets in the country comprised of around sixty independent businesses. small art galleries nestle next to cupcake shops, vintage clothing stores, english and italian delis, gardening stores, and antique shops. you'll also find fantastic pubs, cafés, and restaurants. here, you can enjoy delicious bakeries, charming coffee spots, and purchase the most stunning vases. every sunday, the columbia road flower market transforms the street into a vibrant display of flowers and foliage. be sure to visit on a sunday to grab some flowers as souvenirs.

redchurch street

close to columbia road, you’ll find a lesser-known street called redchurch street. it’s also characterized by unique small businesses and is well worth a visit. one standout here is a bakery called jolene, which we found exceptional. offering homemade bread, pastries, sandwiches, cakes, and coffee, we loved it so much we visited twice. the bakery is popular among locals, so it’s best to avoid peak hours to skip long queues.

brick lane

*vintage find from 1920 - sadly evelyne missed her chance, it was gone the next day!*

adjacent to redchurch street is what we believe to be london’s coolest shopping street: brick lane. it’s the complete opposite of the well-known oxford street. if, like us, you adore secondhand and vintage finds, this street is paradise. the shops here, many of which are vintage-focused, sell high-quality, well-curated secondhand clothing. many have distinct themes, offering pieces from decades past.

in addition to its unique shops, brick lane boasts incredible food. one highlight is the legendary 24-hour beigel shop beigel bake that serves fresh bagels in countless combinations at great prices, always bustling with activity.

street vendors in brick lane sell incredible international cuisine, cooked and served right on the roadside. we had the best indian dish we’ve ever tasted here. the brick lane food hall offers something for everyone, with cuisines from around the globe. it’s very vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, ensuring everyone finds something to love. we tried vegan senegalese food and a traditional chinese bao bun, wishing our stomachs were three times larger!

if you love street art, brick lane and its surrounding areas won’t disappoint. beautiful murals, both large and small, are scattered throughout, giving the neighborhood its vibrant character.

brushfield street

for wildlife enthusiasts, brushfield street is a must-visit, especially for those like evelyne who are passionate about african wildlife. here, you’ll find life-sized statues of african elephants created by gillie and marc, two renowned artists once described as the "greatest creators of public art in new york’s history" by the new york times.

every day, around 55 elephants die due to ivory poaching, climate change, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict. this devastation impacts entire ecosystems. elephants are nature’s environmentalists, creating water pathways and maintaining habitats essential for other species and flora. during my ranger training in southern africa, i witnessed firsthand the tragic extent of their endangerment. gillie and marc’s sculptures aim to raise awareness about the plight of these gentle giants, whose existence is increasingly threatened.

to learn more about this project, click here.

or discover ecoexist, a small but very important not-for-profit NGO in botswana that deals with the challenges between humans and elephants.

the northern side of london

camden area

in the north of london lies the famous camden area, once the center of london’s alternative scene and celebrated for its unique independent vendors. unfortunately, over the years, the neighborhood has become increasingly “touristified”, resembling more of a market for cheaply made souvenirs. the markets are now so crowded that it can be difficult to appreciate their charm. of course, it’s a matter of personal preference—frank and i are more inclined toward quieter, cozier spots. depending on your tastes, it might still be worth taking a look at the market.

despite its transformation, camden has some truly beautiful places to explore. right next to the camden markets, the regents canal flows peacefully, inviting visitors for a relaxed walk along its banks.

a charming path leads to gloucester avenue, a quintessentially london street lined with smaller specialty shops. for those in search of beautiful tiles, the mandarin stone showroom offers a stunning selection worth visiting.

at the end of gloucester avenue, turning right onto regents park road unveils another elegant london street, complete with pastel-colored houses and authentic boutiques. book enthusiasts will love primrose hill books, a cozy independent bookstore.

At the end of the street lies the stunning Primrose Hill Park, offering visitors a view of London’s skyline and inviting them to linger and relax.

northern parks

directly connected to primrose hill park lies the iconic regent’s park, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts like us. if you share our passion for observing animals in their natural habitats, this park is an absolute must-visit. in the early morning hours, with a bit of patience and luck, you can spot rare bird species such as reed warblers, peregrine falcons, and green woodpeckers. the park is also alive with waterfowl, grey herons, and squirrels, offering countless opportunities to connect with nature.

most notably, regent’s park is home to the last confirmed breeding population of hedgehogs in central london, a rare and precious presence in the heart of the city. for cherry blossom lovers, springtime in regent’s park is an enchanting experience, and the park even features ancient tree trunks estimated to be around 30 million years old.

the western side of london

notting hill

the west, particularly the notting hill area, offers stunning upper-class neighborhoods filled with picturesque spots perfect for dreaming and relaxing. the houses in this area look like they belong in a painting, and the atmosphere provides a sense of calm and rejuvenation. the heart of this charming area is portobello road, known for its lovely homes and a wide variety of quaint shops. depending on the time of day, portobello attracts a mix of visitors. in our opinion, it's best to visit early in the morning when the shops are just opening to avoid the hustle and bustle.

if you're a fan of exclusive cuisine, holy carrot on portobello road is an excellent choice. this restaurant offers vegetable-forward dining, a chic and sophisticated ambience, and a strong commitment to low waste and sustainability. we celebrated frank's birthday here and felt as though we were in seventh heaven.

portobello road intersects with another fascinating street, westbourne grove. while quieter than portobello, westbourne grove also features unique photography spots, delightful shops, and fantastic dining options.

western parks

in west london lies the iconic and royal hyde park. it has hosted legendary figures like nelson mandela and the rolling stones, and was the starting point for the uk’s first pride march. nicknamed "the people’s park," hyde park is also a haven for wildlife. at its center is the serpentine, offering scenic lakeside paths, waterfront cafés, the royal parks shop, and even hardy swimmers at the lido, home to britain’s oldest swimming club.

*hyde park family photo - Our most beloved photo we’ve ever taken!*

support wildlife and us by purchasing our digital postcard in our etsy shop, hummel & bear. we donate 5% of all proceeds directly to wildlife conservation.

visit our etsy shop: hummel & bear

*aquarelle squirrels of the world postcard painted by evelyne*

furthermore, there is st. jame’s park right next to hyde park. its centerpiece is a tranquil lake where swans, geese, and an iconic colony of pelicans resid. duck island, a sanctuary within the park, attracts birdwatchers with its waterfowl and other wildlife.

the southern side of london

for the south of london, we unfortunately didn’t have much time during our stay. however, there’s one place we’d love to recommend to you, which we visited specifically and that greatly enriched our perception of london.

nola coffee

since the opening of this café, frank has dreamed of one day sitting here, sipping coffee at his leisure. nola was founded by the english band oh wonder, who have been among frank’s favorite musicians since his youth. so, why not stop by on his 28th birthday? in fact, nola was the main reason we decided to travel to london. and the café, along with its surroundings, did not disappoint.

the café is located slightly outside the city center in an area called peckham rye, accessible by train. peckham rye offers a glimpse of an english residential neighborhood and showcases a culturally diverse, authentic london. it’s characterized by numerous international grocery stores and small, independent spots like nola.

at nola, we enjoyed a long and delightful brunch. the menu has something for everyone, and the staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. unfortunately, the musicians of oh wonder were not present during our visit. nonetheless, we believe that a trip to this neighborhood outside the city center is absolutely worth it.

the centre of london

last but not least, we also discovered some unique locations in the city center that are truly worth a visit. the heart of the city is defined by its charming landmarks, but we won't list those here since there are already plenty of resources about them. instead, we want to highlight a few hidden gems that you can find right in central london:

breakfast places

a wonderful bakery we first came across during our roadtrip to sweden is fabrique bakery. they use only fresh, natural ingredients, and traditional methods to craft their artisanal sourdough bread and pastries. this bakery is a gem in london, stockholm, and new york, and offers one of the best cinnamon rolls we've ever tasted.

another cozy coffee spot is prufrock coffee. we proudly award prufrock the title of cutest logo of the year! the coffee is outstanding, and their adorable rabbit mascot is even available as a sticker for purchase.

the prufrock coffee

bunny stickers!

frank's bite into heaven

for a warm, homey breakfast, 26 grains offers a beautiful and intimate atmosphere. serving both sweet and savory dishes, this spot, with its candlelit ambience and fresh bread aromas, provides a magical and comforting start to your day, especially in the colder months.

colorful alleyways

an english porridge

in front of 26 grains

lunch places

if you're craving traditional, authentic chinese food at unbeatable prices, look no further than lanzhou lamian noodle bar. the restaurant is so authentic that much of the menu is in chinese. as true china enthusiasts, we can confidently say the food here is phenomenal!

visiting china town

inside lanzhou lamian noodle bar

special streets

even in the center of london, you'll find streets full of vintage and second-hand shops. the st. giles area is home to several such gems, including short gardens, neal street, and shelton street. unlike the more famous brick lane, these streets feel a little less discovered, offering great chances to find hidden treasures.

mural art

cool rain pants

docs everywhere!

art specials

dinner places

a truly exceptional restaurant in central london is sagar, an indian restaurant that serves incredibly delicious and authentically indian dishes. this spot was so special it even managed to cure evelyne’s sudden fever! with its warm hospitality and beautifully presented plates, sagar is an unforgettable dining experience.

one of the most stunning bars in the city is mr. fogg’s treehouse, which offers both drinks and smaller bites like classic canapés and bowl food. the bar features botanical-inspired artwork throughout and can be accessed through mrs. fogg’s botanical tavern, where you’ll need to climb the stairs to the first floor. while the tavern is lively and bustling, the treehouse is a peaceful retreat to relax and wind down.

and that’s it! we hope we’ve shared some fresh tips and inspiration for your next visit to london. feel free to leave a comment or reach out if you have any questions about these spots.

with 🐝 frank and evelyne

On the Opposite Side of Oxford Street