8 Hidden Gems In London’s West End (Plus Iconic Spots) You Must Visit Now

Everyone knows London’s iconic sights. But what about the local secrets spots only locals know? Here’s a guide to some of the top hidden gems in London’s West End, including little-known places most visitors miss.

When you think of London’s West End, chances are that theatre and musicals come to mind. The area is known as Theatreland after all. And with a great proportion of London’s main attractions here, it’s also considered the beating heart of the city, for both locals and visitors alike.

But when you have so many famous sites in a relatively small area, it’s very easy to miss the hidden gems in London’s West End.

So I’ve put together a list of the top ten secret spots in London’s West End, so you don’t miss them when you’re exploring this vibrant part of the city.

Top hidden gems in London’s West End

Cecil Court, Covent Garden

Cecil Court is a narrow alleyway located between Covent Garden and Leicester Square that is full of old bookshops. The Victorian shop fronts give this London hidden gem a quaint feel and it will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a bygone era.

It is said to have been J. K. Rowling’s inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, so it has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of the world’s favourite magician.

Covent Garden Infinity Chamber

Hidden away in Conduit Court, just off Floral Street, you will find the Covent Garden Infinity Chamber, a tunnel of light and mirrors that will bring out the playful side in you.

Made with thousands of LED lights, it’s a great spot to keep coming back to, as the lights will change throughout the year. You never know what you’re going to find – an all-white light or a rainbow tunnel.

Even though it’s become a very popular photo spot, you have to know where to look, so I count it as one of London’s hidden gems. And I love that it’s open 24 hours and it’s free!

Kingly Court, Soho

Kingly Court is one of my favourite spots in Soho. Even though I’ve lived here most of my life, I only discovered it a few years ago, so in my eyes it’s one of the top hidden gems of London.

It’s a three-storey food and drink hub that’s hidden away within the streets of Soho. It has three entrances, one from Carnaby Street, one from Kingly Street and a third one from Beak Street. Look out for what looks like an alley through the buildings and you’ll find it.

There are lots of choices for food and drink here, from delicious pizza and healthy poke bowls, to comforting ramen and Mexican food like vegan tacos. A great place to stop for lunch when you’re exploring the West End.

Mayfair Shopping Arcades

The shopping arcades in Mayfair, the ones you find in Leeds, are the original department store. They are hidden passageways that were built in the 19th century for the wives of the aristocracy and other genteel folk to shop safely.

Today, they still maintain their original grandeur and they house very exclusive shops with beautiful original fronts.

The Burlington Arcade, off Piccadilly, is one of the longest shopping arcades in Britain. It’s the only place in the world where you’ll find a Manolo Blahnik men’s shoe boutique. A unique feature of the Burlington Arcade is its Beadles, or guards, who still wear Regency inspired uniforms.

The Royal Arcade is off Old Bond Street, and it’s London’s oldest purpose-built shopping arcade, and the prettiest in my opinion, with its coral and pink arches. It has kept its original Victorian features, and it’s called Royal Arcade because Queen Victoria used to shop here.

Another beautiful arcade to visit is the Piccadilly Arcade, joining Jermyn Street and Piccadilly, with its vaulted ceilings and the glass bowed shop windows.

Feya Cafe, Mayfair

The West End has its fair share of cool eateries – from vegan restaurants to flower cafes, and there are many to choose from. Some have even become famous thanks to instagram. But I’d like to recommend one that is still a bit under the radar – Feya Cafe.

Feya Cafe has all the elements that every instagrammable cafe offers – pink walls and pink seats, a beautiful design that complements the colour palette and an impressive floral display.

They also offer beautiful and delicious cakes and all sorts of treats, and fun colourful drinks that add the perfect touch to your photo. 

But what I really love about Feya is that behind this pretty look there is a programme with a mission to close the gender gap by educating and providing valuable skills to young girls and women. A beautiful cafe on the outside but also on the inside.

Sketch, Mayfair

Is Sketch a secret spot in London? Probably not. But I think it’s worth highlighting in case you’ve been living in an instagram-free world.

Sketch is a quirky tea room during the day and a cocktail lounge in the evenings, housed within an 18th century Mayfair townhouse. It is often referred to as the most photogenic restaurant in London, and it’s famous for its futuristic toilet pods. 

It has several rooms, all decorated in completely different styles. The Glade is an enchanted forest with a carpet that looks like moss. The Lecture Room will wow you with its sunset tones and its Michelin-starred food.

The Gallery is a pink lover’s paradise, with its fluffy pink chairs and sofas that look like they’re made of candy floss. And the Parlour will intrigue you with chairs wearing ballet shoes.

But let’s talk about the toilets! Clean white lines and a primary colours stained glass ceiling, with pods that look like they’ve been taken from a sci-fi film, you’ll want to visit the toilet with your camera in hand.

South Molton Street, Mayfair

South Molton Street is a pedestrianised shopping street lined up with small exclusive shops set within original Georgian buildings. If you love a bit of luxury shopping, you can find all sorts of lovely items here – from lingerie to cocktail dresses and jewellery.

This lovely street has been made more interesting with the addition of colourful benches and planters by the famous artist Camille Walala.

This set of street furniture is made in bold geometric and colourful designs characteristic of the artist. It is known as Walala Lounge. It’s a great place to stop for a few minutes and watch the world go by.

Daunt Books, Marylebone

Everyone loves an old bookshop and Daunt Books is everything a bookshop lover would wish for, and one of my favourite hidden spots in London.

It is actually a small chain with a number of shops across the city, but the one located in Marylebone High Street is the one that is worth a special trip to visit (and buy a book or two).

It is housed within a former Edwardian bookshop built in 1910 and believed to be the first purpose-built bookshop in the world.

It specialises in literature and travel books, which are organised by country rather than by genre. It makes browsing fun and interesting, and is bound to induce some serious wanderlust.

The bookshop has a long oak gallery and bright skylights that make it really light despite all the traditional wood. The arched window at the end of the shop is a thing of beauty with its decorated glass.

Iconic sites to visit while you’re in the West End

While you’re exploring the West End and these London secret places, why not spend some time enjoying a few of the iconic sites in the city too? Here are my top five.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is as iconic as it gets in London. Whether you’re looking to go shopping in one of the designer shops or in the market, dine al fresco or indoors, have a drink or two in one of the city’s top cocktail bars, or simply people watch, Covent Garden is a great place to hang out no matter whether you’re a local or a tourist.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is one of the top art galleries in the world, and an obligatory visit for both Londoners and tourists alike, and it’s now open again and ready to welcome visitors.

The only difference between visiting now and before lockdown is that in order to manage the number of people within the Gallery and ensure social distance can be maintained, you now have to book in advance. It is, of course, still one of the best free things to do in London, but now you need to plan ahead.

Chinatown

Exploring London’s Chinatown is one of my favourite things to do, as there’s always something exciting going on here. Established in the 1950s, it is home to a large East Asian community, and the place to go if you are looking for authentic Chinese flavours.

It was great to see a buzz of activity in Chinatown so early from businesses getting ready to open. There were quite a few delivery vehicles coming and going.

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly was the very first spot I visited in London when I first moved here. It is such a classic London sight, that it had to be the first one I saw (followed by the Big Ben, of course!).

Over 20 years later it’s looking very different, but it still feels like the heart of London and where big things happen.

Carnaby Street

History, music, fashion – there’s been a lot going on in Carnaby Street for almost 70 years. It’s gone from being the birthplace of the Swinging 60s, the home of Mods, Skinheads, Punks and New Romantics, to being one of the main centres of style, fashion and food for the Londoners of today. 

If you are in London’s West End over Christmas, make sure you don’t miss the iconic decorations in Carnaby Street.

Map of hidden gems in London’s West End

Are there any other hidden gems in London’s West End that I may have missed?
Let me know in the comments!

Exploring London? Check out my other London articles

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• 11 Things to Do in Greenwich, London
• Eltham Palace, An Art Deco Gem in London
• Where to See Magnolia and Cherry Blossom in London (With Printable Map)

How about some London day trip ideas?

• Best Day Trips from London By Train – 30 Awesome Ideas for a Day Out
• Hiking Near London – The Most Beautiful Hikes You Can Reach By Train
• Day Trip from London to Brighton: Taking a Microgap to Switch Off

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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Westminster City Council. As always, all views are my own.