London is full of underrated and ‘hidden gem’ spots – you just need to know where to look (Picture: Getty Images) You’ve got your selfie outside Buckingham Palace. You’ve marvelled at St. Paul’s Cathedral. You’ve stuffed your face with pasties at London’s oldest food market. You look up to Big Ben to check the clock, only to realise you’ve still got loads of time to kill in the Big Smoke. Tourist traps aside, alternative London is where it’s at. The city is brimming with fun – and affordable – things to do, from game nights with friends to white water rafting. Yes, really. So, if you’re looking to make the most of your time in London, but don’t want to break the bank, Metro has rounded up 15 of the best alt activities the city has to offer. This Easter weekend, remember there’s so much more to the capital than meets the eye. 1. Phoenix Garden Desperate for a moment’s peace from the hustle and bustle of city life? Tranquillity is closer than you think. Hidden between the perpetually teeming Soho and Covent Garden, you’ll find Phoenix Garden. An oasis of calm amid chaos, this small community space is alive with brightly-coloured flowers, buzzy bees, and plenty of greenery, especially in spring. @urbanadventurerldn 🎥 Filming location: ‘Last Christmas’ | #filminglocations #lastchristmasmovie #emiliaclarke #movielocationsinrealife #filminglocation ♬ Last Christmas – Instrumental Champions As well as being a welcome retreat from the stresses of London, the gardens provide a valuable habitat for urban wildlife. Take a walk to gather your thoughts or eat your lunch on a bench — you’ll soon forget you’re surrounded by bustling shops and theatres. Netflix lovers will also recognise the gardens as a key filming location from the 2019 movie, Last Christmas. Price: Entry to Phoenix Garden is free. Donations are appreciated to support its maintenance. 2. Kenwood House If you’re into stately homes, Kenwood House should be on your weekend hit list. Located in the fashionable Hampstead area, it’s been described as one of London’s ‘hidden gems.’ The property dates back to the early 17th century. However, the building we see today was remodelled by British architect and furniture designer, Robert Adam, between 1764 and 1779. Kenwood House is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon (Picture: Getty Images) Boasting a neoclassical villa exterior and an interior brimming with paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, it’s a classic culture lover’s dream. Price: The house is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and it’s free to enter. 3. Get an Uber along the Thames While the term ‘tourist trap’ is debatable with this one, Metro‘s Jen Mills recommends it anyway. She says it’s one of the best and easiest ways to see classic sights along the River Thames, from Big Ben to the London Eye. It’s also affordable. The Uber Boat connects 24 piers between Putney and Barking Riverside. Like you would with a taxi version, you can book and pay for your trip on the app. Price: According to the Thames Clippers site, a single adult ticket costs between £5.90 and £10.80, depending on the zone. 4. Hidden City treasure hunt-style experience Immersive city treasure hunts have exploded in popularity in recent years. Hidden City – Real World Adventure Games is a London-based company offering treasure hunt-style experiences guided by your phone. Teams of two to six players select one of the four story-led adventures before receiving a trail of clues. Throughout the game – which usually takes between three to four hours – you’ll journey across the city, interacting with characters and the real world around you. To mark the Easter celebrations, all games completed in April will receive a free Easter egg. Plus, as a reward for clue-cracking and creativity, 20 giant eggs worth up to £225 each are up for grabs. Price: Depending on the game you pick, prices start from £19. You can get 10% off your first game. 5. Wimbledon Common Windmill Combine the outdoors with a bit of history at Wimbledon Common Windmill, a former working windmill which is now a museum. There’s also a cute cafe next door to grab a coffee before walking around ‘Womble’ territory. @georgeinlondon SAVE for where to visit in Wimbledon 🎾👇 🍻Wimbledon Village gives countryside vibes in London and has SO many amazing food and drink hotspots, including The Ivy Cafe for brunch, the Dog & Fox for drinks, and Bayley & Sage to pick up essentials for a picnic on the common. Have you tried the spenny strawbs? I NEED to know. *@The Ivy Collection @Young’s Pubs 🛍If you’re on the hunt for a charity shop hidden gem, I reckon you’ll hit the jackpot in Wimbledon Village. There are quite a few shops, and let’s just say you’ll be finding a LOT of designer bargains. 🌳I’m always hunting for the next best picnic spot, and Cannizzaro Park has SO many gorgeous areas for you to choose from. It’s only a short walk from the village if you just fancy a wander, and it’s free. 🐾Wimbledon Common and the Windmill is a MUST if you’re in the area. The Windmill is also a museum and open on the weekends. Be sure to pick up a Jude’s ice cream for your pooch afterward in the cafe next door. Have you been to Wimbledon before? Let me know your fave spots below ✨ *Gifted meal #wimbledon #wimbledonvillage #wimbledoncommon #wimbledonwindmill #cannizaropark #whattodoinlondon #thingstodoinlondon #londonguide #summerinlondon #londonareaguide #londonfoodie #londonpubs #southwestlondon ♬ original sound – George In London To avoid paying extortionate taxi fees or jumping on an overcrowded tube, you can then walk from the Windmill to Pen Ponds in Richmond Park. The journey takes 45 minutes, and on a sunny day, it allows you to take in the beauty of both parks. Price: Entry is free. 6. Spitalfields City Farm and Hackney City Farm These are firm Metro newsroom favourites. Our very own Audience Editor Ellie Hutchings describes both farms as ‘lovely days out.’ However, if you’re keen to avoid crowds, she notes that the latter can get quite busy. Described as an ‘oasis in the city with rare breed and rescue animals,’ Spitalfields City Farm offers fun and environmental education. @k0pibing FREE things to do in London ✨ → Feeding donkeys at Spitalfields City Farm 🌾🦃👩🏻‍🌾 📍Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton St, London E1 5AR #london #movingabroad #Unitedkingdom #tiktoksg #singapore #thingstodoinlondon london things to do, hackney, brick lane, nature, uk itinerary ♬ nhạc nền – Chán….. – Sóc🐿️ From Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green (Mainline), it’s an eight-minute walk to the farm, where goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, rabbits and other animals are waiting to greet you. Price: Entry to both farms is free. 7. Electric Shuffleboard If you and your friends love a good game session, be sure to check this gem out. Metro’s food guru Courtney Pochin says: ‘If you’ve got a couple of hours to kill with several friends or relatives in London, Electric Shuffle is a great way to spend the time – especially if you’re the competitive sort. ‘The venues look pretty funky inside, they serve tasty cocktails and nibbles and the games are really fun. You might get lucky and discover a hidden talent for it, but at the very least you’ll definitely have a laugh.’ Price: £11 per person. 8. Chislehurst Caves Fancy a school trip-style experience? Knock yourself out with nostalgia at Chislehurst Caves, a network of caves carved out over hundreds of years. The history of this place is diverse; during the 1900s, guides told stories of Romans, Druids and Saxons, smuggling and murder. During World War I, the caves were used to store munitions. Chislehurst Caves is arguably one of the most unique music venues to ever exist (Picture: Getty Images) In the 1920s and 30s, mushroom-growing took over, while during the Blitz, the caves provided shelter for over 15,000 people every night. Before opening to the public as a museum, the last known use for the caves was as a music venue. In the 50s, 60s and 70s, jazz, skiffle and folk gigs were held deep below ground, with some of the most famous names in music having played a set here. Price: Adult tickets are £8 each, children and seniors are £6 each. 9. God’s Own Junkyard Metro’s Eleanor Noyce highly recommends this neon paradise. Based in Walthamstow, the venue celebrates the life and work of the late artist Chris Bracey. Eleanor says: ‘If you want an edgy snap for your Instagram page, this is sure to provide one. God’s Own Junkyard is set amongst an array of craft ale shops in an unsuspecting old industrial estate. Love neon? God’s Own Junkyard is calling your name (Picture: Getty Images) ‘There’s more to do here than just gaze at vintage neon signs though, as there’s a cafe where you can sit and read or catch up with a friend over coffee. ‘Nearby, there’s also Walthamstow Village which is home to loads of fantastic pubs, including The Nags Head and The Castle (which does a delicious roast dinner).’ Price: Entry is free. 10. White water rapids White water rapids? In London? But where? At the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, of course. The London 2012 legacy venue will host you for the day and kit you out in a wetsuit, boots, helmet and a buoyancy aid before letting you loose on the rapids. As well as white water rafting, the centre offers a whole host of adrenaline-inducing activities from kayaking and canoeing, to Hydrospeeding and Hot Dog kayaking. @visitlondon Welcome to Lee Valley White Water Centre, one of the many London 2012 Olympic venues still open for you to enjoy! 🌊 #LetsDoLondon #VisitLondon #London2012 #olympics #paralympics #whitewaterrafting #londontiktok #thingstodoinlondon ♬ original sound – Visit London Price: Granted, this isn’t the cheapest day out – an individual ticket for 90 minutes costs £70. But whether you decide to tackle it solo, with a friend, or in a group, it’s guaranteed to be a day to remember. 11. New River Path Fancy a good walk or a breezy cycle? Metro’s Craig Munro says the New River Path is the place to explore on a weekend off. ‘I did the New River Path between Clerkenwell and the M25 at Enfield,’ he said. ‘It’s really beautiful at many points, particularly with the spring blossom. There’s also plenty of nice pubs and food spots along the way.’ The 28-mile footpath connects Hertfordshire with Islington in North London. It was designed with leisurely walks in mind, featuring flat, grassed trails. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of green spaces, nature reserves and urban environments. Price: Free. 12. Fulham Palace Jen Mills also recommends Fulham Palace, ‘the home of the bishops of London.’ ‘It has a lovely walled garden and museum, and entry is free. There’s also a tearoom and natural playground for kids, and it’s within Bishop’s Park, which is a big green area alongside the Thames,’ she says. @azalemmer fulham palace a hidden gem in london vlog architecture british art interior ♬ Epilogue – Jóhann Jóhannsson Fulham Palace also combines a bit of education, too. According to the site, it hosts ‘paintings, archaeology and artefacts tracing the history of the Palace site from prehistoric times.’ Price: Free. 13. Little Venice As the real-life Venice continues to tackle the effects of overtourism, perhaps now isn’t the best time to visit the Italian city. Not to worry, though, because Little Venice, the affluent residential district in West London, is just as Instagrammable. With beautiful waterways and canals, quirky cafes, cosy pubs and charming restaurants, it’s the perfect spot for a springtime stroll. London’s ‘Little Venice’ is charming, picturesque, and utterly Instagrammable (Picture: Getty Images) Once you’ve explored the quaint Little Venice, a 2.5-mile canal walk will take you to vibrant Camden. Price: Free. 14. Maltby Street Market When you think of London food markets, the first ones that spring to mind are likely Borough or Spitalfields. But have you ever tried Maltby Street Market? @andria.eats I love Maltby Street Market 💛 #maltbystreet #streetfood #steak #hiddengems #londonfood ♬ Oogum Boogum Song – Brenton Wood A compact alley enveloped by railway arches and colourful flags awaits you, while the smell of freshly cooked street food is inescapable. The market has been a local Bermondsey gem since 2010. Price: Entry is free. 15. Raffles London at The OWO (Old War Office) secret basement bar If you like a cocktail with a twist, Courtney Pochin insists you head to Raffles London at The OWO (Old War Office), which has recently been named as one of the top luxury hotels in the world by Forbes. Hidden in the basement is the 007-inspired The Spy Bar, a ‘speakeasy that’s got an impressive history and is potentially the most secretive drinking spot in the UK.’ While a vintage cocktail menu contains drinks ranging from £200 to £350 in price, there is a regular list with beverages a little cheaper. Disclaimer: the stiff ‘Writer’s Club’ cocktail, inspired by a martini, still costs £23. But, if you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the place to go! Price: Entry to the hotel itself is free, but if you want to sit in the Spy Bar, you’ll need to be a guest.