It's no wonder that London is among the most-visited cities in Europe. The sprawling urban center retains its natural charm with an abundance of beautiful gardens. A melting pot of cultures comes alive in vibrant neighborhoods filled with art and diverse cuisine. History lives on every street, uniting the past with the present in an unforgettable way.

It would be easy to spend an entire trip to London hitting the most-visited tourist spots like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Travelers would be doing themselves a disservice by not exploring the unique London spots that often fly under the radar. From history and mystery to kitschy and glitzy, the city is loaded with attractions worth getting excited about. Keep calm and carry on with this list of hidden gems worth visiting in London.

10 God's Own Junkyard

Sink into the creative side of London at God's Own Junkyard. Part gallery and part bar, the space is lit up by neon signs dreamt up by artist Chris Bracey. From brand new creations to repurposed items, every corner is aglow in a cozy, neon haze. Chris passed in 2014, but visitors can feel his spirit and continue to admire his work in this hip London spot.

9 Brick Lane

Brick Lane ticks every box for travelers looking for an authentic and modern London experience. Complex and beautiful murals decorate the buildings. The scent of curry pours from street stalls and fills the air. Vintage shops line the streets, filled with treasures waiting to be uncovered by thrifting connoisseurs. Locals and tourists alike love Brick Lane for its friendly, laid-back atmosphere, noting a vibe that can't be found anywhere else in the city.

Related: London's Street Food Markets Are Some Of The Best In The World, And You Should Go With An Appetite

8 Chelsea Physic Garden

In a city known for its beautiful gardens, visitors can't miss the Chelsea Physic Garden. Located in a quiet nook near the River Thames, the park continues to blossom hundreds of years after its start. It was initially opened in the 17th century as an apothecary to grow medicinal plants. It's the oldest botanic garden in London, still growing over 5,000 varieties of plants heralded for their healing properties.

Today, guests can stroll the four acres at their leisure, taking in the restorative effects of being surrounded by nature. The on-site cafe serves fresh, seasonal meals and delicious drinks, making the Chelsea Physic Garden an ideal place to spend a relaxing afternoon.

7 House of Dreams

It might be hard to believe anyone could live in such chaos, but the owner of The House of Dreams, Steven Wright, feels at home in his live-in art gallery. The disillusioned former textile designer became fascinated with outsider art and spent years filling every nook and cranny of his house with found objects, including false teeth, doll parts, and wigs. The items are complemented by Wright's memory boards, handwritten recollections of important moments in his life. The whimsical attraction is like walking into Wright's imagination and is sure to inspire guests to recall their own dreams and memories.

6 Daunt Books On Marylebone High Street

Bibliophiles and architecture buffs will love exploring Daunt books, a fanciful bookstore serving some serious Harry Potter vibes. Polished oak shelves filled with books line the walls of the Edwardian building, the thin skylight letting in just the right amount of natural light. Daunt Books specializes in travel, so visitors can expect to be inspired to plan their next vacation while browsing the store.

5 The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town

Located in the East End of London in the Spitalfields neighborhood is a hip cafe called The Breakfast Club. If visitors play their cards right and inform the staff they are there to see the mayor, they'll be directed to a refrigerator door that leads to a hidden speakeasy bar. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town serves creative cocktails in a candlelit wonderland decorated with kitschy wall-art and vintage furniture.

Related: 10 Of Chicago's Best Hidden Speakeasys

4 Eltham Palace

It's normal to redecorate after buying a new home, but millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld took their redesign to the next level with Eltham Palace. As far back as the 1300s, the palace was used as a residence and housed notable royals like Edward II and Henry VIII. After many years, large portions of the palace fell into disrepair, and in came the Courtaulds.

In the 1930s, the couple leased the property and built a modern home, incorporating what they could of the original structure. The great medieval hall blends into the reborn palace, the interior an eclectic mix of Art Deco and historical flair. Today, visitors can walk across the original 15th-century bridge and take in the sights of award-winning gardens before exploring the halls of a palace steeped in history.

3 St. Dunstans In The East

There is something beautiful about how nature grows through the ruins of abandoned places, and St. Dunstans in the East is the perfect way to absorb the eerie yet mystical feel. The Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz of 1941 damaged the former church, and the remnants have since been transformed into a gorgeous public garden.

Greenery drapes over the burnt walls, and vining flowers weave through the windows and around the archways. St. Dunstans has grown in popularity in recent years, so guests are encouraged to come early to beat the droves of Instagrammers looking for the perfect place to pose.

2 Highgate Cemetery & Holly Village

It might feel a little strange to roam a cemetery during a trip to London, but Highgate Cemetery is a must for travelers hunting for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. The historic cemetery is beautifully overgrown and features several styles echoing the evolution of funerary practices in England. Guests can stroll the Egyptian-style tombs, visit the headstone of Karl Marx, and admire the intricately detailed statues and monuments.

Just a short walk from the cemetery is Holly Village, a work of Neo-Gothic architecture dreamt up by the second richest woman in 19th-century Britain, Angela Burdett-Coutts, and her good friends, writer Charles Dickens and architect Henry Darbishire. Several cottages sit behind the ornate gated archway to form a village within a village. Though Holly Village is private property, visitors can peep the beautiful statues and brickwork adorning the archway.

1 Ballie Ballerson

Growing up doesn't have to mean abandoning the best parts of being a kid, like having an unabashed good time. Ballie Ballerson encourages adults to live out their childhood dreams in a giant ball pit with their favorite cocktail in hand. The music's pumping, the lights are flashing, and the balls are flying. Right down to the decor, every aspect of Ballie Ballersons begs its guests to abandon their inhibitions and have a night to remember.

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