Non-touristy London: 6 places you should visit

I love England endlessly, and the most common question I hear is, "What should I see in London that has fewer tourists?" Of course, I can't tell you everything today, but I'll share the things that are definitely not to be missed.

Brick Lane

So, let's start our walk with Brick Lane. This is the name of a street that borders the hipster district of Shoreditch on one side and Whitechapel Road on the other. You can go there any day, but on Sundays, unlike other days, everything is open: the antique market, vintage shops, street food market, cafes, and clubs. It's best to enter from Old Spitalfields Market (which is quite interesting in itself, although it's a very touristy place) and head north.

St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden

St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden is my favorite place! Believe me, it's simply my favorite and most incredible place. That's the name of a small oasis of greenery in the City district. Perhaps there is no garden in London sadder and quieter than this one, nestled on a hill.

Lush greenery peeks out from the window openings in the walls surrounding the garden. Inside, there are paved paths, benches, and a small fountain. To the north and south, the garden is surrounded by tall old walls thickly covered with ivy. It is not immediately apparent that these are the walls of an ancient church that stood for nine centuries and was destroyed in one terrible night. Here was the altar, here were the pews. Now the townspeople come here to breathe the air, talk, read, or simply be silent.

Covent Garden

You will fall in love with London's Covent Garden at first sight. This area of the city is so lively and distinctive that it is sure to impress anyone. And if you get tired of the hustle and bustle, just step aside a little and enjoy a stroll through the quiet and peaceful streets. I also love the market here — it's unusual, with two levels and often live music. Of course, the main attraction of the area is the huge Covent Garden Piazza (it's officially called "piazza"). Incidentally, it was the first modern square in London, laid out in 1630.

Thames Barrier

The Thames Barrier is a grandiose structure that protects London from flooding. In the 20th century, floods with human casualties struck the British capital twice, in 1928 and 1953. So take a walk to the northeast of the city, to the place where the River Thames flows into the North Sea. It seems that these structures were built by aliens.

Sky Gardens

Sky Gardens is a panoramic platform located at the top of the 160-meter Walkie Talkie building. Admission is free, and the gardens are open all day. You just need to book a ticket in advance and scan it at the entrance. So you can visit at sunrise or sunset. It's beautiful.

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

The last thing you would expect to see in London is a Hindu temple. However, there it is – Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. The domes of this architectural masterpiece literally make people freeze in amazement. It is a relatively new building (the temple was built in 1995), but it is truly unique.

There is no other Hindu temple of this size anywhere else in the world outside India. Once inside the temple, you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere and philosophy of Hinduism.

I dream that one day everyone will be able to see the country that I love so much. To drink a cup of tea with the British, feed the ducks in the park, look at the incredibly beautiful buildings, stroll through the streets of the city, and finally leave your heart there.