Things to Do in London That Aren't in Every Guidebook

London has been one of the world's great cities for a thousand years. The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben are worth seeing. But the London that Londoners love is in the neighborhoods, the markets, the pubs, and the parks.

Beyond the Tourist Circuit

Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday mornings) — A narrow East London street explodes with flowers every Sunday from 8am to 3pm. The atmosphere is electric — vendors shouting, locals haggling, cafés overflowing.

Hampstead Heath — London's wildest park. Swimming ponds (open year-round if you are brave), hill with the best skyline panorama in the city, and a village atmosphere at the top with proper pubs.

Maltby Street Market — Borough Market's cooler, less touristy cousin. Under the railway arches in Bermondsey. Smaller vendors, better vibes, exceptional food.

Little Venice — Canal boats, weeping willows, waterside pubs. Take a narrowboat from here to Camden through Regent's Park. Feels nothing like London.

Sky Garden — Free rooftop garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie building. 360-degree views. Book free tickets online in advance (they go fast).

Where Londoners Eat

• Brick Lane — Curry houses, bagel shops (Beigel Bake, open 24/7, the salt beef bagel is legendary), street food on weekends
• Peckham — South London's most exciting food neighborhood. Nigerian, Vietnamese, Caribbean, all within a few blocks
• Chinatown — The dim sum restaurants on Gerrard Street are legitimate. Ignore the touts outside — the best places do not need them
• Dishoom — Bombay-style café that has become a London institution. The bacon naan roll at breakfast is a religious experience. Long waits but worth it

Pub Culture

The pub is the living room of London. Do not go to a theme pub near a tourist site. Find a local in a residential area.

• The Lamb and Flag (Covent Garden) — One of the oldest pubs in London, hidden in an alley
• The Churchill Arms (Kensington) — Covered in flowers outside, serves Thai food inside. Bizarre and wonderful
• Any pub in Hampstead — The Holly Bush, The Flask, The Spaniards Inn. All centuries old, all with real fires in winter

A Local Friend in London knows which pub has the best Sunday roast, which market stall does the thing everyone queues for, and which free museum gallery nobody visits.