Beyond Big Ben: London's secret boroughs you’ve never heard of

When we cast our minds to the English capital, it’s easy to picture Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, but there are a whole 32 boroughs throughout Greater London that encapsulate the soul of a city that’s steeped in history.

Spanning an area of 607 square miles, exploring London can be a challenge in itself. But fear not; with GuruWalk's London tours on foot, it’s possible to see the very best of the city’s brightest boroughs with expert guidance.

London is so much more than its central attractions, and exploring the city’s sprawling boroughs is the perfect way to see a city that has plenty to offer beyond its impressive landmarks.

While boroughs like the City of London, Westminster, and Camden tend to steal the show when it comes to tourism, there are many areas that you may have never heard of before that can wholly enrich your next trip to the capital. With this in mind, let’s take a look at five London boroughs that could transform your future visits:

1. Embrace the Vibrancy of Islington

Islington is one of the capital’s most vibrant cultural hubs, bursting with a rich culinary pedigree and hip nightlife.

Running through the heart of Islington is Upper Street, a leafy shopping and foodie haven that runs from Angel station towards Highbury Fields. Away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city, Upper Street is the perfect location for a relaxing weekend stroll. Alternatively, the Regent’s Canal Walk also offers a serene background for a walk by the water.

In the evenings, Islington boasts a bustling nightlife with bars and clubs in Angel providing locations to suit the tastes of all revelers.

However, there’s still plenty to discover if you’re looking for a more soothing evening experience, and a trip to the Screen on the Green, a 1913 single-screen cinema that allows you to watch blockbusters and art house films alike from the luxury of sofa seating and table service, could be the ideal dwelling for a couple of hours.

2. Get Arty in Southwark

There’s perhaps no better place to experience the best of London’s strong bonds with the arts than in Southwark.

The borough is home to the world-renowned Tate Modern gallery, which is home to an extensive collection of the United Kingdom’s national collections of modern and contemporary art. With free and premium exhibitions available, a trip to the Tate Modern can suit all levels of curiosity.

If you’re looking for more traditional approaches to the arts, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is just a stone’s throw away and has become one of the city’s most unsung attractions. Painstakingly reconstructed in 1997 based on its 16th Century designs, a visit to The Globe feels as though you’re stepping back in time to Elizabethan England.

Southwark also hosts an unmissable food scene, with Borough Market serving the very best of the capital’s diverse range of culinary delights.

3. Step Through History in Greenwich

While Greenwich may be best known for the O2 arena today, the borough is also an excellent time capsule for Britain’s rich naval history and scientific prowess.

On the bank of the Thames stands the Royal Observatory, which features London’s only planetarium and rooms designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built in 1676. The Royal Observatory also features the Prime Meridian Line, which is used to split the planet’s eastern and western hemispheres.

One of the most beautiful attractions in Greenwich is the Cutty Sark, the fastest sailing ship of its time, which is lovingly preserved and open to visitors. The nearby National Maritime Museum and Old Royal Naval College mean that you can get your fix of seafaring vessels throughout the borough.

4. Enjoy Leafy London in Kingston Upon Thames

Moving a little further afield, Kingston upon Thames showcases the very best of West London with plenty of tranquil greenery and lots of thrifty flea markets.

Kingston is best known for its beautiful riverside walks, where visitors can take a stroll along the banks of the Thames away from the busy surroundings of Central London.

With huge green spaces like Hampton Wick and Richmond Park on either side, Kingston is an ideal location to unwind within London. It’s also a major art hub, featuring the iconic installation ‘Out of Order’ by David Mach, consisting of tumbling telephone boxes, on the Old London Road.

For a more immersive artsy experience, a visit to the Rose Theatre Kingston can provide you with one of the best tickets in town to see some of the capital’s best shows without the business of the West End’s Theatreland.

5. Look Through Lewisham’s Museums

Lewisham is another underappreciated London borough that’s bursting with cultural experiences and a rich range of museums to cater to different tastes.

In the centre of the borough is the Horniman Museum and Gardens, which is free to visit and features a wide range of natural history exhibitions along with one of the world’s leading collections of musical instruments.

Exhibitions at the Horniman can range from robots to plant fairs and monthly late-night events that take on different areas of focus.

If you’re looking to let your creative juices flow, Lewisham Arthouse allows you to get to grips with different workshops that can allow London’s inspirations to guide you to make your very own creations.

Off The Beaten Path

London is much more than its central boroughs, and going off the beaten path on your next visit can serve as a highly rewarding journey through some of the capital’s most enjoyable and engaging attractions.

There are very few cities in the world that can compete with London’s rich art, culinary, and historical pedigree, and looking to more of the capital’s boroughs can be a rewarding way to experience the soul of a city that has plenty to offer.