Voice of London

From Big Ben to The London Eye, and from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, we’ve all been there and taken tonnes of obligatory photos to show our friends and followers the many historical sights that London has to offer.  However there are countless less popular spots in the city that are just as photogenic and interesting to visit.

Below, we’ve gathered 10 underrated spots in London that will help you to explore the capital to its fullest potential:

1. Warren Mews

Background: Located within the Borough of Camden, the eye-catching Warren Mews is an old-fashioned impasse accessible through an entrance under a building on Warren Street. Its original purpose was to provide coach house accommodation for the main houses on surrounding streets, but it’s now mainly used for commercial purposes and has become one of the area’s most attractive buildings, loved by hundreds of tourists and professional photographers.

Closest Tube Stations: Great Portland Street, Warren Street and Euston Square

2. Liberty London

Background: Liberty is a well-established department store planted near Carnaby on Regent Street in the West End of London. It sells luxury goods including men and women’s fashion, fragrances, cosmetics and jewellery, but is particularly notable for its wide range of fresh flowers displayed at the entrance of the store.  The colourful blooms sitting in their shiny tin buckets will have you itching to get your camera out.

Closest Tube Station: Oxford Circus

3. Bywater Street, Chelsea

Background: This attractive terrace in West London is simply a residential rainbow. They are one of the most expensive properties in the city, selling for up to £3.5 million per house. We tourists may never be able to step inside, but just strolling down and snapping a few photos of this colourful street gives your feed a touch of London’s luxury.

Closest Tube Stations: South Kensington and Sloane Square

4. Biscuiteers Boutique and Icing Café

Background: Situated within the heart of Notting Hill, this picturesque cafe is completely dedicated to the art of icing biscuits and cakes. Whether you’re stopping by for afternoon tea or just for a quick photo, Biscuiteers is bound to up your Instagram game and have your followers admiring you.

Closest Tube Station: Westbourne Park

5. The Creaky Shed

Background: The Creaky Shed is an organic greengrocer located on Royal Hill in Greenwich. The independent supermarket has been providing freshly sourced fruit and vegetables to the local community since 2002. It’s vintage outlook and colourful produce has gradually been attracting more and more visitors and photographers over the years, making it increasingly popular on Instagram.

Closest Railway Station: Greenwich

6. Paper and Cup

Background: A small coffee shop based in Shoreditch in London’s East, selling not only food and drink but also second-hand books and artists’ works. The sharp and clean design of the exterior will add an instant modern look to your digital gallery.

Closest Tube Station: Old Street

7. Daunt Books

Background: Daunt Books is an Edwardian bookseller that has stores in six different locations in London. The original shop based in Marylebone, was founded in 1990 by British businessman James Daunt. At the heart of the store is an astonishing main room, arranging books of all genres, including fiction, non-fiction, travel, biography, cookery, novel and history. The beautifully symmetrical arched window at the centre of the room, partly glazed with stained glass, will make photography an absolute winner.

Closest Tube Station: Marylebone

8. The Chipping Forecast

Background: The Chipping Forecast is a delectable fish and chip restaurant planted in Notting Hill. Its eye-catching exterior consists of clean blue and white stripes, along with welcoming tables and chairs for al fresco dining. Great for some natural light on your Instagram feed.

Closest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove

9. Royal Opera House Telephone Boxes

Background: Let’s admit, it’s both frustrating and tiring having to wait for your turn to take photos by the telephone boxes in Parliament Square. And once it’s your chance, there’s a ton of pressure to get the perfect shot as a crowd of other tourists wait for their turn. Many tend to forget that the iconic telephone boxes are dotted around the entire city and not just outside Big Ben. In fact, there’s five of them lined up just outside the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. The blazing colour of red against the beige buildings are an instant game-changer for your photography and will have your Instagram followers completely mesmerised.

Closest Tube Station: Covent Garden

10. Interiors of the Natural History Museum

Background: The Natural History Museum is in itself a sensational work of art. It’s an instant attraction when the ice rink opens up during the festive season, but the interior of the building that is what truly stands out. On entering the museum and walking up a few flights of stairs, you’ll be presented with astonishing architecture that cannot be found anywhere else in London. The wide, circular arches that bend majestically across the building are exactly the magic touch that your photography feed is craving.

Closest Tube Station: South Kensington

So are you proud to be a Londoner? Yes, you should be!

Words: Jessica Kwan | Subbing: Olivia Herring | All pictures by their credited owners.