How To Beat the Crowds in London

While London buzzes with suited-and-booted businesspeople on weekdays, the weekend tells a different story. Areas such as Fleet Street, Farringdon, Leadenhall Market, and the London Wall are usually deserted on Saturdays and Sundays, making it the ideal time to explore winding alleys and sites that are reputedly haunted.

You may find that some popular lunch chains are closed in these areas. But don’t worry—when it comes to dining, most of the area’s historic pubs (some of which are hundreds of years old) remain open on weekends.

Located on a serene stretch of the Regent’s Canal near Paddington (Maida Vale, to be exact), Little Venice is a quirky and quiet area home to canalside pubs, shops, theaters, and barges.

Follow the waterside route north for an hour or so, and you’ll find yourself in the iconic Camden Market (where London’s subcultures are at their most vibrant) via Regent’s Park and London Zoo. For another serene canalside stretch, start off at Broadway Market and follow the trail to Limehouse, a dockland area home to many riverside restaurants.

Related: London Do’s And Don’ts: 10 Unwritten Rules That Every Londoner Knows

Heading out to London’s furthest zones is a surefire way to encounter fewer people. Plus, using London’s super-fast and easy-to-navigate public transport system means it’ll take far less time than you’d expect.

Top picks on the city’s outskirts include the Chislehurst Caves, an artificial underground cave network on the cusp of the Kent border; the Painted Hall in Greenwich, featuring elaborately decorated ceilings reminiscent of Italy’s Sistine Chapel; and Epping Forest, a sprawling piece of woodland so large that you’re unlikely to encounter anybody else there.

Almost a fifth of London is green space. In fact, the capital is home to a whopping 3,000 parks, so it's much easier to find a quiet spot, even in the more centrally-located Hyde Park or Regent’s Park.

But if you want to enjoy a real moment of calm, head to Kyoto Garden in Holland Park will transport to straight to Japan, complete with trickling waterfalls and rock gardens. If you plan to face the crowds while shopping on Oxford Street, recover with some rest and relaxation at Phoenix Garden afterward, which is just off Shaftesbury Avenue. It’s the perfect secret space to unwind in one of London’s busiest areas.

While some parts of the city come alive after dark, like Soho and Shoreditch, two of the city’s nightlife hotspots, others get quieter. London’s landmarks look glorious when illuminated—take an evening tour to see icons such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge when lit up.

But for those that want to dive into the paranormal, spooky ghost tours are the way to go. You’ll lose most of the crowds as you delve into the haunted past of areas such as Whitechapel, where notorious Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper struck.

No matter what time of year you head to London, you’re sure to coincide with other visitors, but you still may encounter fewer people after the busy Christmas season.

Visit during the months of January and February to avoid big crowds. Though you should plan to bundle up, braving the winter season means you’ll likely find discounted rates on accommodation, and you can catch the London Chinese New Year parade, see the winter lights art installation at Canary Wharf, and beat the cold by visiting some of London’s world-class museums.

Make the most of Britain’s well-connected railways by escaping the busy city for the day. In fact, there’s a wealth of day trip destinations within easy reach from London.

While most people head to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle (take a day tour to see both if you’re tight on time), more off-the-beaten-path options include Hampton Court Palace, the former home of King Henry VIII; the serene villages of the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire; and Blenheim Palace, the filming location of hit TV show Downtown Abbey.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Stonehenge