Off the Beaten Path: London

“Oh, but you were trying to get us OUT of London,” I hear you say. Not necessarily! London is a maze of main street shopping, historic sites, hair raising crowds, car horns, and traffic of all kinds. I mainly try to stay OUT of London, but I’m usually there for at least a day coming and going. So, what do I do to escape the mayhem?

There are some out of the way sites that most folks don’t know about or think about when in London. Tired of the same old sites like Westminster Abbey or the Houses of Parliament? Let’s go for a walk, shall we?

Hotel: Reprise

I've mentioned this before, but a friend of mine turned me on to a budget hotel just outside Tower Hill underground. I’ll give you the name just because I like you and there’s no reason for me not to! It’s the Travelodge. Don’t expect frills, but the rate is cheap, the showers are large, and the rooms decently clean. It’s also located just outside the Tower of London! How convenient! Which brings me to my first off the beaten path moment.

My Favorite Pub

Just outside the Travelodge is my favorite pub in London called the Minories. It’s literally about 50 feet from the front door of the hotel. The fish n chips are darn good and it has a cozy atmosphere (hard to find in London). It’s cavernous and lies below shunting trains of the underground. Go in one door and walk up to the bar. Walk out the opposite door and the Tower of London is in front of you!

 

My Favorite Shopping

Everyone seems to like Covent Garden or Portobello Market for shopping. I’m never in on a weekend long enough to see what Portabello offers! However, I was pointed early on in my London adventures to Camden Market. I always try to visit when I can. Now, it’s still full of crowds and such, but you’ll find street after street and building after building of shops. All kinds of shops! From luggage to records and from antiques to custom art and jewelry… Camden has it all. You can even watch the canal boats as the slip through Camden Lock while you're resting from that spending spree! Just hop on the Northern line and alight at Camden town. Make a right and you’re at the market!

More out of the Way

Still in the Travelodge area? Get on the Docklands Light Rail at Tower Gateway Station, located adjacent to Tower Hill station. This underground/train takes you from the Tower to Greenwich (about 3.5 miles outside London). There are 12 stops and it takes about 22 minutes to arrive, but when there, feel free to visit the Cutty Sark moored there, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House, and the Royal Observatory. See where time actually starts, and stand on the Greenwich Mean Time/Meridian line! There’s also a lovely park as well a very twee little market. The best part? It’s included in your Oyster card pass and is in Zones 1 and 2.

Favorite New Thing

Sky Garden is a relatively new feature in London. Sitting high atop a skyscraper within a glass shell, you can view as much or more of London than you can purchasing a ticket for the London Eye. The rub is that you have to make reservations in advance if you’re just planning a visit with a few photo snaps. However, there is no entry fee and the views are to die for! You won’t be disappointed.

Favorite Out of the Way Museums

If you haven’t yet, try the British Library. The largest library in the world, it’s there that you can see priceless works of the “world’s knowledge” to include Persian manuscripts, a Gutenberg bible, and the Magna Carta. Fall into a time tunnel of the printed word and enjoy spending an hour or ten in the archives!

The Royal Airforce Museum located in North London is vast and will take you a day to see everything! There are over 100 aircraft on site and a calendar full of free events you’ll really enjoy this trip into Britain’s air history. Don’t forget to see the Battle of Britain Hall were you’ll get goosebumps thinking of how close Britain came to annihilation by the Luftwaffe. But for a few brave men, they would be speaking German in this country!

Summary

If this is not your first visit to London or you want to give the main sites a miss on your trip, these gems should keep you busy for a few days! You can also combine this with Chiswick to complete your experience with "off the Beaten Path" London.