London is certainly one of the best places to visit in the world. History just oozes out of every brick and everyone wants to see those grand sites, such as the Tower of London, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. But if you have an adventurous spirit, you might want to check out the little unknown parts of the nation’s capital. I compiled a list for all seekers of the unknown who love to find hidden gems around London.
Check out my suggestions here.
WHERE TO STAY
If you like a bit of crime and punishment history then you can do no better than to stay at the courthouse hotel in Shoreditch. The name kind of gives it away that it was once the main courthouse in the area and several notorious characters have stayed at her majesty’s pleasure whilst awaiting their sentences. The infamous Kray Twins, Ronnie and Reggie spent the night in the cells before being their court appearance back in the 1960’s. The cells have now been converted into little cosy rooms where you can enjoy a cocktail or two.
THE OLD JEWISH QUARTER
Take a wander over to East London and check out the remains of the old Jewish culture which once thrived on the streets of Brick lane and Whitechapel. Here you will find many of the old Edwardian houses looking pretty much the same as they did when they were first built. Points of interest include Wilkes Street and Sandy Rows Synagogue. The latter is almost hidden away but remains the oldest example of its kind in the East End.
TAKE A JACK THE RIPPER TOUR
This is probably one of the best ways to see the old parts of Victorian London and you get to be part of a modern day hunt for the world’s most elusive serial killer. The area where Jack the Ripper once walked the streets has rapidly changed over the years, as you would expect, but there are still pockets of the world of 1888 hidden around the Spitalfields area. Expect to see cobblestoned streets, the old gas lamps and buildings associated with this infamous Victorian phantom.
WILTONS MUSIC HALL
Wilton’s is a real treat for those wanting to step back in time to an era of song and dance, variety acts and the old music hall era. This unique building comprising a mid-19th Century grand music hall attached to an 18th-century terrace of three houses and of course a pub.
This little gem first started off life in the mid-1700’s as a beer house, serving the sea merchants from the Thames and it still has a grand Mahogany Bar, from 1836 sitting in its front entrance. John Wilton bought the building in the 1850’s and decided to create a space for magnificent new music acts. Here on any given night you would have acts including circus, ballet and fairground. Some of the best-remembered acts of early popular entertainment performed here, from George Ware who wrote ‘The Boy I love is up in the Gallery’, to Arthur Lloyd and George Leybourne (Champagne Charlie) two of the first music hall stars to perform for royalty.
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