hidden London
 

I'm travelling to London next month and am interested in "Off the beaten track" experiences in London, particularly for families - any thoughts? <BR>thanks

a few ideas that come to mind are: <BR> <BR>1) Bushy park, near hampton court, not well known, the huge red dear are wonderful, especially in the rutting season <BR> <BR>2)Richmond through to putney on the thames, all lovely, plenty of pubs etc. <BR> <BR>3) There is a very good walk called "hidden London" advertised in time out, they take you places that I didn't know about and I live here. <BR> <BR>4)the Wren and Hawksmoor churches in the City, rarly visited, absolutely fabulous. <BR> <BR>5) Dulwich picture gallery <BR> <BR>6) Kenwood on Hampstead Heath, great art, great view (pretty well known though). <BR> <BR>7) Sir John Soane Museum, Lincolns Inn Fields, eclectic collection, make sure you buy the guide book. <BR> <BR>8) The view from the top of the Monument (thats its name - to the fire of london). High tower you can walk up. <BR> <BR>9) National Army museum in Chelsea (personal choice, not for every one). <BR> <BR>10) (best one) Kensall Green cemetery, very gothic cemetary, lots of fabulous tombs etc, famous people, royalty etc buried there (Freddie Mercury was cremated there). Best bit though, is on the first sunday of the month you can go into the catacombs. Not for young children, but for teenagers etc, perfect. <BR> <BR>If I think of others I'll post them.

Alexander (alexandra??) Palace in North London. <BR> <BR>I love this building. <BR> <BR>If you find the website you might find there is an exhibition or fair you are interested in held there during your visit. <BR> <BR>Gorgeous builing and fab giant organ inside and stained glass and gorgeous fabby bricks and things <BR>

I would second going to Dulwich. It is like a piece of rural England transplanted into the (almost) centre of a huge city. <BR>Take the 12 (from Whitehall or Regent Street) or 176 (from Aldwych or near Waterlood station) bus to the Dulwich Plough and walk thru the park (cross over Lordship Lane where the bus will deposit you, past the library and down Eynella Road into the park). You exit in the village near the art gallery. There are cafes and a Pizza Express as well as a few crafty shops and a pub. You will find few tourists there. The park itself is very English with open spaces and duck ponds etc.

How many people in your family? What age?