London After the Big Sights: Where to Go Next Without the Crowds

So, you’ve held your phone over your head to photograph the Changing of the Guard, craned your neck at the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, and maybe even squeezed in a few iconic red phone box photos. What’s next? Ready to discover the London spots most tourists miss?

After living in London decades ago and returning many times since, I’ve found that the real magic often hides just beyond the guidebook favorites.

Let’s get you off the tourist treadmill and into the parts of London that surprise, delight, and stay with you.

From a skeleton looming over a tomb in Westminster Abbey to brunch on a floating Aussie café, these 7 spots made me fall in love with the city all over again – and they’re perfect for solo travelers looking to explore deeper, not just wider.

1. Westminster Abbey – A “Who’s Who” of History

Closest Tube: Westminster (Jubilee, Circle, District lines) – 2–3 minute walk.
Alternative: St James’s Park (Circle, District lines) is also very close.

Alright, Westminster Abbey might be on a top sights in London list, but it also is something people tend to skip, thinking it's going to be boring or too expensive.

Yes, it’s shockingly pricey these days, a sign of the times, but it’s worth every one of the 30 pounds. On my last trip, I booked the audio tour in advance, which gave me a timed entry (a blessing when you see the line).

Unlike the cathedrals I’ve visited elsewhere in Europe, Westminster Abbey feels more like a memorial hall of the rich and famous than a pure place of worship. Everywhere you turn there’s another famous figure from history, poets, politicians, royals, often under elaborate statues. It’s like a real-life “Who’s Who” of the dearly departed.

This time, I splurged (5 pounds) on the extra ticket for the newly opened upper gallery. It’s a top secret, photography prohibited home to portraits of the Queen, royal artifacts, and best of all, a sweeping view down into the Abbey, the same spot where TV cameras are set up for coronations, royal weddings, yadda yadda.

Don't miss Westminster Abbey, it's a truly unique place!

Tip: Book online, aim for mid-morning, and pair it with Parliament next door.

Look at this terrifying statue: a skeleton of Death aiming his spear at the dying figure of the woman above. She is held up by her horrified husband who tries to ward off the stab of death.

Legend has it that one night a robber broke into the Church but was so horrified at seeing the figure of Death in the moonlight that he dropped his crowbar and fled in terror. The crowbar was kept on display for many years beside the monument.

2. Houses of Parliament – The Seat of British Drama

Closest Tube: Westminster (Jubilee, Circle, District lines) – directly outside the entrance.

Touring Parliament was like stepping into a building I already knew after seeing it in a hundred films and news clips…only better. My timed-entry ticket meant no wait, I grabbed a headset and joined a small group led by a guide who clearly loved the history here.

We began in the Great Hall, with floor plaques marking where the Queen stood during all sorts of significant events. Then came St. Stephen’s Hall, lined with portraits (and your last chance to take photos). Beyond that: no cameras, but plenty to remember.

We visited both chambers, learned about the annual tradition of using a log for banging on the door to open Parliament!? We also saw the monarch’s private entrance for the State Opening. The details, like the secret meanings of the carpet colors' and other centuries-old rituals, made it all feel a little magical. You have to go on the tour to find out. They swore us to secracy.

3. Sky Garden – London’s Tropical Rooftop

Closest Tube: Monument (Circle, District lines) – 5-minute walk.
Alternative: Bank (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City lines, DLR) also works.

At the top of the Walkie Talkie building, the Sky Garden is a lush, glass-enclosed world with 360 degree views of London. Entry is free, but you must book a time slot, especially in summer. Time slots open up about 3 months in advance.

Walking around the tropical plants with the Tower of London below and The Shard across the Thames never gets old. On my last visit, we timed dinner at the Darwin Brasserie for sunset, and watched the view just get prettier as the night went on. 

The food was good, the prices… very London, and the noise level wasn’t my favorite. But timing it for sunset? I broke my arm patting myself on the back.

BTW, if you have a reservation at one of the SkyGarden restaurants you don't need to reserve a separate entry time ticket.

Solo Tip: If you don’t want a full meal, grab a drink at one of the bars and claim a window spot. Or, heck, just wander around and don't spend any money!

4. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – Dickensian Pub Vibes

Closest Tube: Blackfriars (Circle, District lines) – 5-minute walk.
Alternative: Chancery Lane (Central line) is also within 7–8 minutes.

This historic pub on Fleet Street has been rebuilt since the Great Fire of 1666, ( so it's really only been there since 1667. Pffbt!) Stepping inside feels like time travel. Charles Dickens was a patron, and you half-expect him to walk in, order an ale, and start scribbling.

It’s like something out of Harry Potter with low ceilings, half timber walls and a strange maze of little dining room rooms to sit in. We sat in the Main dining room which had a fireplace. Lots of fun and thick with history. 

Solo Tip: Go mid-afternoon to avoid the after-work rush and to snag one of the cozier corners.

5. Abbey Road – Your Beatles Moment

Closest Tube: St. John’s Wood (Jubilee line) – about a 7–10 minute walk to the crossing.
Alternative: Maida Vale (Bakerloo line) works but is slightly farther.

Who can resist stepping into one of the most famous crosswalks in music history? At Abbey Road, you get to channel your inner John, Paul, George, or Ringo: stiff arms, serious faces, and all.

The wall outside Abbey Road Studios is covered in graffiti tributes from fans around the world. Bring a pen or marker and add your own, just know it’s painted over regularly to make space for new messages.

While you can’t go inside the studios themselves, there’s a small building to the right with a gift shop and a mini-museum. Inside, you’ll find a timeline of artists who’ve recorded here, from the Beatles to modern-day legends.

If you’ve got time, take the 15-minute walk to Cavendish Avenue, where Paul McCartney bought a home in the mid-1960s. Back then, he could stroll to the studio in the mornings. My intel (ie. the internet) tells me he still owns it, and rumor has it he’s occasionally spotted in the neighborhood!

Click here for a live view of the Abbey Road crossing!

Closest Tube: Paddington (Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City lines) – directly next to the canal.
Alternative: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) is a short walk away.

For a slower-paced London morning, head to Little Venice near Paddington Station. Then check out the Australian restaurant on a boat, Darcie & May Green! Why wouldn't you?

I had no idea what an Australian brunch would consist of, Vegemite waffles? Turned out the food was not shocking, but fresh, just a little different, and fun to try.

The walk along the canals afterward was just as delightful, even though somehow I managed to not take any pictures!

While You’re Here

Go Boat Self-Drive Rentals – If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a small electric boat and captain yourself along the canals. Perfect for a sunny afternoon with a picnic.

Walk the Regent’s Canal to Camden Market – It’s about an hour’s stroll from Little Venice along a scenic towpath lined with colorful boats and quirky cafés. Once you reach Camden, dive into the market’s vintage stalls, global street food, and live music. You've earned it, you just walked for an hour!

7. Borough Market – A Feast for the Senses

Closest Tube: London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern lines) – 2–3 minute walk.

If you love food (and I mean really love food), Borough Market will feel like paradise. This sprawling market, one of the oldest in London, is crammed with stalls selling everything from French cheese to Turkish delight to Ethiopian coffee, and that’s just what I left with last time.

Give yourself at least a couple of hours here, because you’ll want to wander, sample, and circle back for “just one more bite.” The aromas alone are intoxicating…sizzling street food, fresh-baked bread, spices from every corner of the world.

Sue’s Tip: Go early in the day to avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder lunchtime crush. And yes, you might as well consider this both breakfast and lunch.

Where to Stay: The Belgrave Hotel

If you like the idea of a charming, smaller hotel that still feels polished and comfortable, I recommend The Belgrave Hotel in Pimlico. Housed in a row of classic white townhouses, it’s clean, modern, and surprisingly affordable for central London.

Rooms are on the smaller side (as is typical in London), but they make great use of space. Beds are comfy, showers have good pressure, and my room was spotless. The staff were friendly without being overbearing, and I loved that it felt more like a boutique stay than a big chain.

Why I liked it for solo travel:

• Located on a quiet residential street, but only a 5-minute walk to Pimlico Station (Victoria Line).
• Much easier to navigate than the chaos of Victoria Station. At first I thought Victoria Station was where I should go, but I got lost in there every time! And I'm actually pretty good with directions! Trust me, use Pimlico Station instead.
• Surrounded by neighborhood cafés and a short walk to the Thames Path for evening strolls.

Tip: Ask for a higher floor room facing the street for a little extra London atmosphere – the view of the Georgian facades is lovely with a morning coffee.

Check out my video tour of the Belgrave Hotel and my room here:

Bonus: A Royal Finish in Windsor

If you have a little extra time before your flight home, Windsor makes the perfect day trip from London or final stop before heading to Heathrow. Just 40 minutes by train from central London – and about 20 minutes from the airport – this postcard-perfect town has everything: the grandeur of Windsor Castle, charming cobblestone streets, and riverside strolls that feel worlds away from the city.

I spent two nights here at the end of a Europe trip and loved the calmer pace. It’s also incredibly practical – waking up just a short drive from Heathrow meant my last day was relaxed instead of a mad dash across the city.

Read my full guide: Why Windsor is the Perfect End to a European Trip

Map of Mentioned Sights