There are few cities that have as many different sides to them as London, which perhaps befits a city that has existed for over a millennium. There is a very public-facing London filled with some of the most popular attractions in the world and one that is far more exclusive and befits a private tour.
It is impossible to see everything London has to offer during a single holiday. Even if you stick to the tourist traps there are dozens of involved events, museums, attractions and exciting places to see and activities to do.
A great illustration of this can be seen in a survey that shows the most popular attractions in and around London, but this shows the most popular tourist traps out there.
In the spirit of showcasing an alternative, luxurious, exclusive side of London, here are some alternative places to visit instead of the top three most popular attractions in London.
Instead Of The Tower Of London
It is perhaps no surprise that the Tower Of London, as one of the oldest surviving buildings in London, is also the most popular tourist attraction.
It has been at the centre of English history, is the home of the Crown Jewels and is home to a remarkable amount of both incredible and rather shocking artefacts that reflect the Tower’s multifaceted life as a palace, a fortress and a dungeon.
Visiting the Tower and enjoying a guided Beefeater tour is almost a rite of passage for many tourists visiting London, but if you want a more exclusive collection to visit, here is an alternative.
Visit The Wallace Collection
Occupying Hertford House in Manchester Square, just north of Selfridges, the Wallace Collection is an extensive collection of some of the most fascinating works of art, armour and furniture in the world.
It is a very different trip back in time compared to the Tower of London, and a celebration not only of the richest fineries of the landed gentry but also a collection of immaculate works from the ancien regime before the Storming of the Bastille caused the nobility of France to flee the guillotine.
It is a beautiful trip, especially if you travel there with a guide who can help explain just how far these priceless artefacts have travelled.
Instead Of Covent Garden
Home to some of the finest covered markets in the world, Covent Garden is the heart of London in so many respects, filled with beautiful fine dining establishments, shopping arcades, street entertainment and the Royal Opera House.
It is a hugely popular tourist site and often a great place to start a trip through London as it is an incredibly important central point for seeing so many different attractions.
However, if you are interested in a taste of historic culture, there is only one place that can provide a truly authentic taste of mid-19th-century entertainment.
Visit Wilton’s Music Hall
The only surviving example of a giant pub hall during a revolutionary period in the entertainment world, Wilton’s Music Hall is one of the most important pieces of musical and cultural heritage in London, having survived largely untouched for nearly two centuries despite several flirtations with demolition.
It is not only a wonderful place to have a relaxing drink or book onto their extensive historical tours, but they also host hundreds of performances and 80 productions each year, retaining its status as an extraordinary home of extraordinary culture.
Instead Of Buckingham Palace
The most famous home of the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace almost needs no introduction, which is a double-edged sword when it comes to showing an exclusive, luxurious side to London.
A fascinating historical quirk is that despite being known as the home of King Charles III and the ruling monarchs before him, the first reigning King or Queen to actually live there was Queen Victoria in 1837.
Visiting the State Rooms is another rite of passage for so many tourists, but as the summer season is often so popular, many people instead take the famous picture in front of those imposing gates.
However, whilst there are some other incredible palaces to visit, there is one in particular that needs to be seen to be believed.
Visit Eltham Palace
The story of Eltham Palace is perfect for any tour that focuses on luxury and exclusivity and involves two very different and exceptionally striking buildings.
One of these is one of the most well-preserved 13th-century medieval great halls and royal manors in the entire country, but the other is a fascinatingly unusual 1930s art deco house and garden under the supervision of its rather unique owners, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld.
