London's Best Winter Visits

Visitors Often Miss London's Fascinating, Hidden Attractions

Sep 19, 2008

These spots are known to many locals but will delight visitors from outside the capital, offering something historic, something tasty or something fun for curious kids...

Borough Market

A covered space and the capital’s oldest food market. It’s a fabulous place to explore, eat and shop. Organic produce, cheese, wines, bottled beers, European delicacies, breads, fresh fish and meat, pubs, delicious snack stands, cafes and restaurants – Borough Market offers it all. Situated off the London Bridge end of Southwark Street. Tube: London Bridge, Borough.

Viaduct Tavern

This pub’s a reminder that you’re never far from London’s chilling Victorian past. It stands on the site of an old sheriff’s prison and gallows, where prisoners from Newgate, which was over the road, were hung. In its cellars are some of the sheriff’s original cells and you can ask for a tour of these creepy chambers, found down rickety steps. Have a cheering drink on your way out. Closed at weekends.

Churchill’s War Rooms

Experience a little of Britain’s darkest hour by visiting the secret nerve centre of Churchill’s war effort against Hitler. The restored Cabinet War Rooms are richly detailed and reveal where Churchill lived, held meetings and phoned Roosevelt. After, visit the museum dedicated to Churchill's life. Tickets (under-16s go free) give access to the War Rooms and museum. Open: 9.30am-6pm

Churchill Museum/War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1. Tube: Westminster, St James’s Park (+44) 020 7930 6961 http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/

Sir John Soane's Museum

A hidden gem, this spectacular collection of art and sculpture gathered by architect Sir John Soane is in a house he built around the turn of the 19th century. Paintings by Canaletto and Turner and treasures such as the Sarcophagus of Seti I (1370BC) and the Naseby jewel (apparently dropped by Charles I at the famous battle) are housed here. Entry free. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2. Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10-5pm; special candlelit opening first Tuesday of every month 6-9pm. www.soane.org. Take a 360-degree tour of the museum's dome here

Tate Modern Restaurant

Visitors will love one of the best panoramic views of London from Level 7 while quaffing a glass of good wine. The restaurant menu is based on seasonal produce and a wine list focusing on innovative producers. It’s open for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea daily and for dinner on Friday and Saturday. Open: 10am-6pm Sunday-Thursday, 10am-11pm Friday and Saturday. Top exhibition autumn 2008: Mark Rothko.

The Old Operating Theatre

Hidden behind boards for a century, this time capsule from the era before anaesthetics was rediscovered in 1956. Visitors can see where surgeons performed rapid operations (amputations in a minute), there are fun questionnaires for kids and an apothecary showing how herbal remedies were prepared.

Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret, 9a St Thomas Street, SE1. Open: daily 10.30am-5pm (closed 15th Dec-5 Jan).

Eurostar Champagne Bar

Europe’s longest champagne bar is more than a rendezvous for departing travellers, it’s also a stylish setting to indulge yourself and meet a friend. It runs alongside the Eurostar platform, separated by glass, in the stunningly restored St Pancras Station and there are cubicles in addition to the bar. Champagne breakfasts and teas, with champagne available by the bottle or glass, though don’t order the Dom Pérignon White Jeroboam by accident – it’s £6500. Euston Road, N1.

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