Best hidden gems in London
Discover the city's best-kept secrets and uncover hidden gems in London that will leave you amazed. Find solace in the serene ambiance of The Hill Garden and Pergola in Hampstead. Take in the breathtaking city views from The Garden at 120, situated 15 storeys high. These remarkable locations offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and peacefulness in London.
The Garden at 120

Image: The Garden at 120, Fen Court Building. Β© MTotoe
#FLODown: The Garden at 120, situated atop the Fen Court building on 120 Fenchurch Street, is the largest public rooftop space in the City of London. In recent years, as London's skyline has continued to evolve, offering many extraordinary viewpoints, The Garden at 120 stands out as a must-see destination. Located 15-storeys high, visitors can experience 360-degree views of the City and the greater London area for free.
Opening hours: Summer: 1 April β 30 September (Monday to Friday 10am β 9pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm) Winter: 1 October β 31 March (Monday to Friday 10am β 6.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am -5pm). Closed on Bank holidays. Location: 120 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5BA. Price: Free . Website: thegardenat120.com
Crossrail Place Roof Garden

Image: Crossrail Place Roof Garden. June 2023. Β© MTotoe
#FLODown: Crossrail Place Roof Garden in Canary Wharf offers a serene oasis amidst the skyscrapers. Designed by Foster + Partners, the garden showcases diverse plants reflecting the area's history. Divided into hemispheres, it also features an amphitheatre where an exciting program of festivals, performances, and music is offered. The unique structure creates a microclimate for delicate plants. Visitors can explore pathways, relax, and enjoy free access until evening.
Opening hours: open daily until 9pm or sunset in summer. Location: Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB. Nearest station is Canary Wharf. Website: canarywharf.com
Kenwood House

Image: Kenwood House. June 2023. Β© MTotoe
#FLODown: Experience the charm of Kenwood House, a historic mansion in Hampstead, North West London. Admire impressive art collections, including works by renowned artists. Explore the opulent interiors, magnificent gardens, and picturesque lake. Engage with the history of past residents and enjoy guided tours, family activities, and delightful cafes. Don't miss special events or the opportunity for a relaxing picnic. Kenwood House offers a captivating blend of art, history, and natural beauty.
Location: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JR. Website: english-heritage.org.uk.
The Hill Garden and Pergola
Image: The Hill Garden and Pergola. June 2023. Β© MTotoe
#FLODown: Discover the serene beauty of The Hill Garden and Pergola, an enchanting oasis tucked away in Hampstead Heath. Designed by William H Lever and landscape architect Thomas Mawson, this hidden gem offers breathtaking views and impeccably landscaped gardens. Whether you seek a peaceful escape, a picturesque picnic spot, or a unique venue for special occasions, this tranquil sanctuary caters to all. Best of all, entry is free, welcoming nature enthusiasts and admirers of architectural wonders alike.
Location: Inverforth Close, North End Way, London, NW3 7EX.
From roaring dinosaurs to lively discos and creative workshops, London is bursting with family fun this October half-term. Whether youβre exploring Regentβs Parkβs open-air art, dancing at Sadlerβs Wells, or watching classic films at the Barbican, thereβs something to entertain every age and interest across the cityβ¦
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The fifth season of The Gallery, Itβs Not Easy Being Green, opens across the UK on 7 October 2025 and in Brazil on 14 October, ahead of COP30 in BelΓ©m. Sixteen international artists, including Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Hannah Starkey, and UΓ½ra Sodoma, bring the climate crisis directly into public view. Instead of traditional galleries, their artworks appear on thousands of billboardsβ¦
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We spoke to visionary director Εukasz Twarkowski ahead of the UK premiere of ROHTKO, a groundbreaking production that takes inspiration from the infamous Rothko forgery scandal to ask urgent questions about originality, truth and value in art today. Combining theatre, cinema, sound and digital technology, the work challengesβ¦
Iranian-born British curator and producer Tima Jam is the Founder of Art Voyage, a new migrant-led cultural platform committed to building a dynamic, equitable, and globally connected arts ecosystem through novel initiatives comprising exhibitions, public art, summits, residences, and community engagement to create a lasting cultural and social impactβ¦
Caroline Guiela Nguyenβs LACRIMA is a staggeringly ambitious, searing expose of exploitation in the fashion industry and what people are prepared to sacrifice in the pursuit of beauty. At almost three hours in length it is a bold undertaking, but the result is a powerfulβ¦
Absolut Vodka celebrated the launch of its Keith Haring Artist-Edition bottle with a public art takeover, transforming Londonβs Charing Cross station into βHaring Crossβ on 17β18 September. We spoke with Deb Dasgupta, Absolutβs Vice President of Global Marketingβ¦
Maya Gurung-Russell Campbell is an artist working across sculpture, image, and text, exploring personal and collective memory. She is currently studying at the Royal Academy Schools (graduating 2026) and holds a BA in Photography from the London College of Communicationβ¦
Maltaβs cultural life has levelled up. The newly opened MICAS dazzles on the international art stage, while independent galleries are showcasing bold contemporary voices. Heritage remains at the core, with the National Museum of Archaeology and the ancient walled city of Mdina reminding visitors of Maltaβs millennia of rich and colourful historyβ¦
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley lives and works between Berlin and London. Working predominantly in animation, sound, performance and video game development, and with a background in DIY print media and activism, the artistβs practice focuses on intertwining lived experience with fiction to imaginatively retell and archive the stories of Black Trans peopleβ¦
Get ready to lace up your skates because something magical is coming to Leicester Square this November. For the first time ever, the heart of Londonβs West End will host an outdoor ice rink, bringing festive fun to life with sparkling lights, music, and seasonal activities for all agesβ¦
Ibiza isnβt just beaches and nightlife, itβs a cultural hotspot. Discover the best art galleries and museums on the island, from contemporary exhibitions to historic collections, and explore Ibizaβs vibrant creative sceneβ¦
YARA + DAVINA make social practice artwork, creating ambitious public artworks that respond to site, context and audience. Unfailingly inventive, they use formats from within popular culture to make works which are accessible and playfulβ¦
There are electronic music festivals, and then thereβs Houghton. Tucked away in the forests of Houghton Hall in Norfolk, this artist-led weekender has built a cult reputation since its debut in 2017 thanks to its unique 24-hour music licence, carefully curated lineup, and the absence of phone signalβ¦
Tate Modern will open the largest survey exhibition of Dame Tracey Eminβs career, A Second Life, in February 2026. Spanning more than 40 years of her practice, the show highlights Eminβs fearless exploration of passion, pain, and healing, with a focus on the female body and personal experienceβ¦
Como Garden is a casual Italian restaurant on a side street off High Street Kensington, marked by a bright red awning and outdoor tablesβ¦
London offers a week of culture and creativity with events including Somerset House opening its doors to the public for Step Inside 25, the Last Night of the Proms, London Design Festival, new art shows from Helen Cammock, and the opening of the David Bowie Centre, architectural discoveries at Open House Festivalβ¦
Touted as the dance event of the year, we set off with great anticipation to attend We Should Have Never Walked on the Moon, a title borrowed from a quote reportedly spoken by Gene Kelly to Buzz Aldrin. The performance brought together dancers from powerhouse companies Rambert and the Ballet National de Marseille under the direction of (La)Hordeβ¦
Drumsheds returns to its Tottenham warehouse this September for the Autumn/Winter 2025β26 season, featuring over 30 shows across bass, techno, house, garage, and alternative electronic music. Including performances by Adam Beyer, Peggy Gou, DJ Snake, Amelie Lensβ¦
Born and raised on the island of Ibiza, Marc Costa has spent over 15 years building a career that bridges nightlife and real estate. We sat down with Marc to talk about his journey, the unique identity of Chinois, and what it takes to create unforgettable experiences in Ibizaβs world-renowned nightlife sceneβ¦
Aaron Wright is a curator of contemporary performing arts, originally from the Midlands, and currently serves as Head of Performance & Dance at Londonβs Southbank Centre, a role he took on in 2023. Alongside his work at the Southbank Centre, he runs the queer performance club night Knickerbocker at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wickβ¦
Itβs a great week in London for dance, with exciting performances and immersive shows taking place across the city. Alongside this, there are new exhibitions opening, live music events, and outdoor festivals to enjoy. Here is our pick of things to do in London this weekβ¦
Mandy Yin, the Malaysian-born chef behind Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar, is returning as ambassador for celebrASIA, taking place at Battersea Power Station from 5β7 September 2025. Yin has created an exclusive chicken satay burger with ChickβNβSours, combining traditional Malaysian flavours with a modern twist, and we spoke to her about sharing her cuisine and culture with festival-goersβ¦
Riviera is touted as La Cote DβAzur in the heart of London and with this weekβs scorching weather we could very well have been on the French Riviera. Ideally located amongst several art venues and London Landmarks this Mediterranean-influenced restaurant in St James from the Zandi brothersβ Emerald Hospitality Groupβ¦
Discover 25 of Londonβs must-see events this September 2025, from world-class festivals, art exhibitions, and theatre premieres to live music, immersive performances, and family-friendly experiences across the cityβ¦
There are electronic music festivals, and then thereβs Houghton. Tucked away in the forests of Houghton Hall in Norfolk, this artist-led weekender has built a cult reputation since its debut in 2017 thanks to its unique 24-hour music licence, carefully curated lineup, and the absence of phone signalβ¦
