Written From… my flat in London one dark winter evening
Living in London teaches you one thing fast — this city is never just one thing. It’s layered. The landmarks everyone rushes to see are only the surface; the real city hums underneath — in its neighbourhood cafés, its late-night food spots, and the pockets of quiet that appear when you least expect them.
I’ve spent my life getting lost here, finding the places that don’t make it into guidebooks but tell the real story of London. So if you’ve already ticked off places like the London Eye and Tower Bridge, this one’s for you.
This is 48 hours in London off the tourist path — a mix of local places, unexpected green spaces, and corners that show just how much more there is to this city when you look past the obvious.
Prefer the short version? You’ll find a Quick Guide to all the stops and highlights at the end of this article.
Day One: Central & East London – The Local Side
Mornings in London feel different depending on where you are. On this first day in London off the tourist path, start somewhere that actually feels alive — not crowded with tourists or loud buses, but buzzing with locals who make the city tick.
Begin in Clerkenwell, wandering the quiet streets just as cafés start opening. Prufrock Coffee is a great starting place — a café that somehow manages to feel like both a community hub and a cycling hangout. The aroma of fresh coffee fills the street, and the soft hum of conversation makes you realise that the best way to experience London off the beaten path is simply to observe it slowly — the way locals do. A quick breakfast and you’ll be ready to move on.
By mid-morning, head east. Exmouth Market and the surrounding streets offer an explosion of colour, small shops, and unexpected street art. Make sure to duck down alleys lined with independent galleries and boutiques, far from the usual tourist routes. Even in areas like Spitalfields, there’s a side of the city that rarely makes it onto Instagram — quiet streets, old brick buildings, and cafés where you might hear a Londoner practising their first phrases in a new language.
At lunchtime, head to Broadway Market — a weekday visit works best, when it feels more like a local market than a crowded spectacle. Here, people browse fresh produce, sample street food, and stop for a chat with the stallholders. The energy is real, unscripted, and reminds you that London off the beaten path isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about noticing the small, vibrant details of everyday life.
The afternoon is for walking. Follow the Regent’s Canal from Angel to Hackney Wick, weaving past painted murals, canal boats, and cafés where locals linger over long lunches. The walk feels endless in the best way, each turn revealing a new corner of the city. You can even duck into Hackney City Farm, a tiny slice of calm in the middle of the city, where the smell of hay and the chatter of animals feel like a secret known only to the people who live here. Or if you fancy something a little different you can try kayaking through the canals and experience the area from a completely new point of view.
Evening means dinner and a taste of London nightlife — but still local. Head to The Wenlock Arms in Hoxton, a pub that feels authentic and unpolished, where regulars chat over pints and the atmosphere is impossibly welcoming. Alternatively, for a slightly fancier local experience, Dishoom Shoreditch offers a mix of spice, chatter, and the kind of energy you only find when a restaurant is loved by locals.
By the end of the day, you’ll feel like you’ve had a real sense of London beyond the postcards. The streets, the cafés, the markets, and the unexpected quiet corners will all remind you why it’s worth exploring this city the way locals do.
Day Two: Green Spaces, Galleries, and Hidden Corners
Your second day off the tourist path starts in Dulwich Village — one of those places that feels like it shouldn’t exist inside London. Quiet streets lined with Georgian houses, local delis, and leafy parks make it feel more like the countryside than the capital. Stop by Gail’s Bakery or Romeo Jones for coffee and breakfast before wandering to the Dulwich Picture Gallery, England’s first purpose-built public art gallery. Even if you’re not into art, the surrounding gardens and the peaceful atmosphere make it a perfect slow start to the day.
From Dulwich, take a short bus ride over to Peckham. It’s a completely different energy — creative, colourful, and proudly local. Explore Peckham Levels, a converted car park turned community space with studios, food stalls, and rooftop views across the city. If you’re visiting on a sunny day, head up to Frank’s Café, the open-air rooftop bar that locals love in summer. The view alone makes it worth the detour.
For lunch, Peckham Bazaar or Kudu are brilliant local spots serving food inspired by Southern Europe and South Africa.
After lunch, make your way west — and if you’ve got time, take the Overground to Kew Gardens. Even though Kew is technically known, it’s a world away from the city bustle and has a magic that locals appreciate most on quieter afternoons. Wander through the glasshouses, grab coffee by the Palm House Pond, and just take it slow.
If you prefer to stay central, an alternative is to spend your afternoon in Little Venice, walking along the canals toward Paddington Basin — another calm, unexpected pocket of the city that most visitors miss.
As the sun starts to set, head towards Notting Hill or Maida Vale for dinner. Skip the overly polished spots and instead try The Cow (a cosy pub with excellent seafood) or Gold Notting Hill for something livelier but still local.
End your evening wandering through the pastel-coloured streets of Notting Hill, when most of the crowds have disappeared. It’s a completely different world at night — quiet, reflective, and just the right way to close out 48 hours in London like a local.
Living in London means it’s easy to forget how much there is beyond the landmarks. Writing this reminded me that some of my favourite moments here aren’t the big ones — they’re the quiet mornings, the conversations over coffee, and the corners that feel like they belong just to you.
Quick Guide: 48 Hours Off the Tourist Path in London
Day 1 → Clerkenwell • Exmouth Market • Broadway Market • Regent’s Canal Walk • Hackney Wick
Day 2 → Dulwich Village • Peckham • Kew Gardens or Little Venice • Notting Hill
Highlights → Local cafés, canal walks, art galleries, and real neighbourhood pubs
Best For → Travellers who want to experience London like a local
Getting Around → Tube, Overground, or by foot — each route adds to the experience
