London & Partners

Historic royal Greenwich
London’s Compass
Whether central, north, south, east or west, all of London’s regions have hidden gems to offer
CENTRAL LONDON
London’s heart is made up of many
boroughs including Camden, Islington,
the City Of Westminster, and the City
Of London. This buzzing region has
a dense concentration of offices,
embassies, museums, theatres,
nightspots, shops and state buildings,
as well as the home of the Queen. It’s
also famed for its entertainment and
dining hubs, such as the West End.
Hidden Gem: St. Paul’s Church,
Covent Garden.
Inigo Jones built this beautiful
church, which stands at the western
end of Covent Garden Piazza, in
1633. It’s known as ‘The Actors’
Church’ because of its close ties
with the theatre community. Admire
the many memorials to theatre folk
and find peace and quiet in the
courtyard garden. Mon-Fri 08.30-
17.00, Sun 09.00-13.00.
Bedford Street, WC2. 020 7836
5221. actorschurch.org
Ë Covent Garden. Map C6.
NORTH LONDON
More than 120 languages are
spoken in this vibrant region, which
is renowned for its culture and
steeped in history. Areas of interest
include Hampstead Heath and the
spectacular views from Primrose
Hill (p. 29).
Hidden Gem: Highgate Cemetary.
Built in the 19th century, this
atmospheric graveyard is the
everlasting home of some of the
most illustrious personalities of the
Victorian era and early 20th century.
In the East Cemetery you’ll find the
graves of George Eliot and Karl
Marx (Mon-Fri 10.00-16.00, Sat-
Sun 11.00-16.00. Admission £3),
while the family of Charles Dickens
are buried in the West Cemetery
(accessible by tour only, daily Mon-Fri
13.45, Sat-Sun hourly 11.00-15.00.
Admission £7, child £3).
Swain’s Lane, N6.
020 8340 1834.
highgate-cemetery.org
Ë Archway. Off map.
SOUTH LONDON
This area is less built up than the
north and loved for its open spaces
such as Clapham Common and
Richmond Park (p. 29). It’s popular
for sporting attractions including
the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis
Museum (p. 36). It’s also home
to the royal borough of Greenwich,
the UK’s most famous maritime
site (pictured).
Hidden Gem: Dulwich Picture
Gallery. England’s first public
art gallery was founded in 1811
and today holds one of the finest
collections of Old Masters in the UK.
The imposing building was designed
by 19th-century architect Sir John
Soane. Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun
11.00-17.00. Admission £5, child
free. Exhibitions £11, child free.
Gallery Road, SE21. 020 8693
5254. dulwichpicturegallery.org.
uk t Herne Hill. Off map.
EAST LONDON
Once the heart of working-class
London, the east has gone through
a period of regeneration thanks to
the recent London 2012 Olympic
Games and Paralympic Games.
Factories and docks have given way
to a funky arts and nightlife scene,
plus markets like Old Spitalfields
(p. 64), and The O 2 complex – home
to shops, bars, restaurants and the
British Music Experience (p. 56).
Hidden Gem: Columbia Road
Flower Market.
Whether you’re looking for cut
flowers, plants, or just a stroll to
soak up the atmosphere, there’s
nowhere better on a sunny Sunday
than this busy east London market.
Arrive before 10.00 if you want to
beat the crowds. Sun 08.00-15.00.
Columbia Road, E2. columbia
road.info Ë Bethnal Green.
Off map.
WEST LONDON
Parts of this affluent area run
alongside the western end of
the River Thames and Regent’s
Canal. Here you’ll find elegant
districts including Chelsea and
Knightsbridge. It’s also home
to Notting Hill’s fashionable
shops and restaurants, plus
Portobello Road, site of the
famous market (p. 65).
Hidden Gem: The Bush Theatre.
This fringe theatre in a converted
library is highly acclaimed for its
productions of new British and
international plays. Times vary.
Tickets from £10.
7 Uxbridge Road, W12.
020 8743 5050. bushtheatre.
co.uk Ë Shepherd’s Bush Market.
Off map.
GREENWICH IMAGE © ISTOCKPHOTO
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| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|January 2013