Secret London Itinerary

From an underground amphitheatre to a little-known room at the National Gallery, we help you uncover secret London.

Morning: London Stone and Roman Amphitheatre

Spend the morning exploring London's hidden history.

First, check out the mysterious London Stone at 111 Cannon Street (two doors down from the London Stone pub). According to legend, the stone was part of an altar in a temple built by Brutus of Troy. An ancient saying predicts "so long as the stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish". Today, the stone is visible from the street through a metal grill.

Next, head to the Guildhall Art Gallery, which harbours a secret in its basement: the remains of London's Roman amphitheatre. Entry to the amphitheatre is included in the price of your art gallery ticket. Once a month, the Museum of London runs a guided tour, bringing to life the gladiators, wild animals and baying crowds that once inhabited the building.

Lunch: Café in the Crypt & National Gallery's Secret Room

Enjoy lunch at Café in the Crypt underneath St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square, which serves reasonably-priced homemade food.

Between 2pm and 5.30pm on Wednesdays, you can pop across the square to the National Gallery for an exclusive look around Room A, a secret gallery that's normally closed to the public.

Afternoon: Chelsea Physic Garden

Spend the afternoon at Chelsea Physic Garden (open April to October). Located on the bank of the River Thames, this magical "secret garden" was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, and scientists there continue to research the properties of more than 5,000 plants.

Evening: Candlelit Tours and Quirky Cocktails

In the evening, take a candlelit tour of either Dennis Severs' House (Mondays) or Sir John Soane's Museum (first Tuesday of the month).

Dennis Severs' House is a time capsule created by artist Dennis Severs. The interior is designed to feel (and smell!) as though a family of Huguenot silk weavers still inhabit the rooms.

Sir John Soane's Museum was the home of architect John Soane (1753-1837), and contains his collection of art and antiques. Ask one of the guides to show you the secret wall panels, which open out to reveal more and more artworks. (Entry is free, but expect to queue.)

Finally, head to Callooh Callay, a quirky bar in Shoreditch, inspired by Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky. Once inside, you'll discover a cosy venue serving tempting cocktails and light bites. Lucky guests might even discover the hidden Jubjub bar behind a wardrobe door!