London’s Best-Kept Secrets

London is one of the world's leading tourist destinations, with a wealth of world-class attractions - more than any other city in the world - which draw millions of visitors a year, including amazing museums and galleries, beautiful parks and gardens, glorious churches and cathedrals, stunning palaces and grand houses, and much, much more. These are covered in numerous excellent tourist guides and need no introduction here. What aren't so well known are London's numerous smaller - but no less interesting - attractions, most of which are largely neglected by visitors and Londoners alike. What our London's Secrets series of books does is take you off the beaten path - side-stepping the city's tourist-clogged major sights - to seek out its lesser-known, more off-beat and mysterious side. London's Best-Kept Secrets brings together the very best attractions - the 'greatest hits' - that we have discovered over the last five years. It includes some of the city's loveliest hidden gardens and parks, absorbing and poignant small museums, great art and architecture, beautiful ancient buildings, magnificent Victorian cemeteries, historic pubs, fascinating markets and much more. Entries range from the enchanting Hill Garden to the magical canals of Little Venice, from the home of Britain's greatest naturalist to Dennis Severs' haunting home, from the moving Foundling Museum to the birthplace of Big Ben (and the Liberty Bell), the splendor of some of Wren's greatest churches to a lovely house designed by William Morris, and from the spectacular treasures of Syon House to atmospheric Kensal Green cemetery. London's Best-Kept Secrets isn't intended as a walking guide, although many of the places covered are close to one another, particularly in central London and the City, where you can easily stroll between them, while some are situated in the suburbs. However, most are close to public transport links and relatively easy to get to. What's more the vast majority are free, so there's no excuse for not getting out there and exploring. With a copy of London's Best-Kept Secrets to hand to inspire you, you need never be bored of London (or life). We hope you enjoy discovering the city's hidden secrets as much as we did.

Author David Hampshire’s career has taken him around the world and he lived and worked in many countries before taking up writing full-time in the ’80s. He’s the author, co-author or editor of some 25 titles, including London for Foodies, Gourmets & Gluttons, Living and Working in London, London’s Secret Places, London’s Secrets: Museums & Galleries, London’s Secrets: Parks & Gardens, London’s Secrets: Peaceful Places and A Year in London. David was born in Surrey but lived and worked in London for many years and still considers himself a Londoner. He now divides his time between London and Bath.