In fact, over 15,000 bodies were buried here over time, until inner city burials were banned in the Victorian times. As you approach the river’s edge, you’ll join the Thames Path National Trail, then turn right on Odessa Street. This cool, lesser-known section of the Capital Ring offers a mix of urban and green spaces, taking walkers through interesting residential streets, commons, and notable landmarks.

With all the kerfuffle about the Olympics, you might have missed the notice that Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has actually become an integrated part of many Londoners’ lives. If you want to go on this one, you can take a look at the route, map, photos, and video on my Islington walk blog post. While Leadenhall Market has slowly crept onto an increasing number of people’s radars, it’s still unknown enough to warrant a spot on any list of secret places to visit in London. Once you’ve got your reader’s card you can access all the previously inaccessible rooms. In them you’ll find plenty of empty desks and supreme quiet – something that’s missing from the BL’s main public areas.Greenwich already made it into this guide for The Tulip Stair. It’s about to make a second win for The Painted Hall. The place is a bit of a marvel of design, but if you’re into minimalism you’re not going to like it.

Each of the three volumes of London’s Hidden Walks is filled with detailed routes, maps, and photos. There’s lots of good information about the history of London in each one, too. They’re perfect if you love exploring secret parts of the UK capital. Those parks, St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens showcase the improbably lush and verdant centre of London at its very best. Turn into Penwith Road and cross the River Wandle. Continue through Ravensbury Terrace, Haslemere Avenue, and Lucien Road. The Golden Boy of Pye Corner - Once a sordid corner of Medieval London, it is perhaps rather ironic that this is also the spot where the Great Fire of London finally stopped! Want to find them? Read our handy guide (hint: there’s a map to help you along with the task) Mercato Mayfair

Secret Places in London: Map

If you want to go on this one, you can find the route, map, photos, and video on my Hampstead walk blog post. In fact, the city had such a problem with the clear stuff in the 18th Century that there’s a bonafide period in London’s history known as the Gin Craze (go look it up if you don’t believe us).