Prettiest Places

Where did you think London's pretties places are? Here are our top choices! Tell us ideas on Instagram here.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at St Dunstan In The East. This quiet church garden is built in the ruins of Wren church which was destroyed during both the Great Fire Of London and the Blitz in World War 2. It's overgrown gothic atmosphere makes it the perfect place to take photos.

There are so many wonders to discover in Painshill Park but the Crystal Grotto has to be the prettiest. Located on the lake in the centre of the park, this man-made grotto is covered in spiky stalactites bejewelled with crystals which sparkle in the sunlight. It's got a very magical feeling and looks amazing in photos.

A sewage pumping station may sound like an odd choice for a pretty places guide but Crossness Pumping Station ticks all the boxes with it's ornate Victorian style. It was designed by architect Charles Henry Driver for the Metropolitan Board in 1865 and is now being restored by volunteers for the Crossness Engines Trust. They run open days for the public several times of year with Steaming Days and special events.

Located in the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, the Painted Hall is described as "Britain's Sistine Chapel". Designed by Sir James Thornhill in 1707, the painting took 19 years to complete with Baroque murals covering over 3,700 square meters of wall and ceiling. The hall really does take your breath away when you enter and look up at the ceiling. One of the best way to admire the work is to lay on the floor and luckily, there are special chairs just for that!

Read our article about the Murder Mystery Experience at the Painted Hall »

Little Venice is a beautiful, leafy and peaceful area to explore at the junction where the Regent's Canal meets the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Basin. Feed the ducks, walk the canal paths, have a bite to eat aboard a barge at the Waterside Cafe or on a bridge at Cafe Laville, or catch a boat to Camden Lock. It's our little piece of Italy in W9!

The Mosaic House is the home and art project of Carrie Reichardt. It's a stunning display covering the whole facade of the house, including a few cars outside - you could stand for an hour admiring all the little details. It was completed in 2017 and was a collaboration with mosaic artists from around the world. It's located at 4-6 Fairlawn Grove in Chiswick and they're very happy for you to come and take photos, but please be respectful as it is a home.

Free to enter, The Hill Garden and Pergola in Hampstead is one of the prettiest parks and possibly most secret too. It looks like something from Game Of Thrones with overgrown flowers and branches covering the terraces of the raised walkway. It's the perfect spot for a picnic in the summer. 

Not so much of a secret, Leadenhall Market is a gorgeous Victorian covered shopping arcade located on Gracechurch Street. It's filled with pretty boutiques, pubs and restaurants and was used as the filming location for the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.