5 landmarks in London you probably didn’t know about

The popular tourist traps around London are always packed full of excited travellers trying to snap photos but some of the best places in the city often go undiscovered and overlooked.

Try something different when you visit the Montcalm hotel and explore an alternative side to the city. Near our Boutique Hotels London, you’ll find some of these underrated landmarks and attractions that will set your holiday photo album apart from everyone else’s.

Crossness Pumping Station

Bazalgette Way, London

A trip to a sewage works may not sound like the most exciting day out but this Victorian landmark has a lot to offer for tourists. At the height of the Victorian era, the Crossness Pumping station helped clear the city of sewage and was considered to be a modern mechanical marvel. Today, the former sewage pumping station is open to the public as a museum. Discover the history of the city’s waterworks and admire the beautiful metalwork and architecture.

The Rolling Bridge

South Wharf Road, London

There are plenty of famous bridges dotted around London but you won’t see any others quite like this. The mechanical bridge was created as a design and engineering project in Paddington. It consists of separate sections that are connected together through a hydraulic system that allows it to roll up into a drum and straighten out when needed.

Wilton’s Music Hall

Graces Alley, London

If you didn’t already know about this place, you may have just walked past it under the assumption it is an old abandoned building but Wilton’s Music Hall is one of the best, undiscovered venues in London. The building makes use of its original iron pillars and still has a lot of its original brickwork which is what sets it apart from the modern stadiums and venues in London. There’s never a dull night at Wilton’s and the performances are some of the best in the city.

Noses of Soho

Soho, London

If you’re a fan of mystery and you fancy a challenge, head over to the bustling area of Soho and try to hunt down the seven noses. In 1997, the renowned alternative artist, Rick Buckley became increasingly aware of the rising number of CCTV cameras in London. He decided to create a project around this concept and placed a number of plaster of Paris nose castings underneath cameras all around Soho. It’s believed that there were originally over 30 noses but today there are only seven. Join other hunters and try to track down all seven for a fun day out.

St Dunstan in the East

St Dunstan’s Hill, London

This retired church has a long history of destruction and restoration which spans the Great Fire of London and both World Wars but today offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the city. At St Dunstan in the East, nature has merged with the gothic architecture to create something out of a fantasy film. Be sure to take your camera along and get some great photos.