Afternoon tea is a uniquely British experience. There are no shortage of venues that serve it, but this hotel’s special take outdoes its top rivals’. Tucked away in a hidden, tree-lined courtyard behind the throng of Piccadilly Circus, the Ham Yard has a funky “modern British” interior designed by Kit Kemp, with a 1950s bowling alley and a private cinema.

There is no greater start to a Sunday in London. Traders are here each week, come rain or shine, at this inner-city floral oasis. Not to worry if you’re just passing through, though; you don’t need a vase or a window box to enjoy one of London’s most colorful and fragrant attractions. This supercool destination has plenty of great shopping and dining.

With a much lower profile than the big London museums, the Horniman is no less worthy of a visit. Somewhat farther afield in south London’s Forest Hill, the museum was set up by Frederick John Horniman, a Victorian tea trader and philanthropist. Explore the manicured gardens and urban wildlife, as well as the eclectic collection of artifacts relating to natural history, anthropology and musical instruments.

Stretching from the edge of Camden Town in the north to Baker Street in the southwest corner, Regent’s Park is hugely popular with exercise fiends, young families and visitors from all over. Covering 395 acres, it is home to mesmerizing rose gardens, a boating lake, an outdoor theater that stages top productions in the summer, excellent sports facilities and the London Zoo.

Not every city can boast a cemetery among its hidden attractions. In the leafy northern suburb of Highgate, this beautiful graveyard contains the remains of historical figures including Karl Marx and authors George Eliot and Douglas Adams. Singer-songwriter George Michael is one of the more recent high-profile celebrities to be buried there.

Somerset House, a former Tudor palace, is as much an outdoor venue as indoor one, with its fabulous walled courtyard a star attraction in winter — when it’s an ice rink — and summer, when squealing children splash in the spray jets. Indoors, it hosts cultural events and cutting-edge exhibitions.

Beigel Bake is a treasured East End institution and a surviving remnant of the district’s former Jewish past. While the area has evolved rapidly, the 24-hour bakery remains popular with early-morning workers and late-night clubbers alike. The signature salt beef-and-mustard bagel (a.k.a. beigel) might be a tall order if you’re just starting your day, but other favorites include the smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, and apple strudel or the cheesecake for a sweeter alternative.

Whether you’re exploring the South Bank or heading up the Shard for a bird’s-eye view of the capital, it’s worth taking a mealtime detour to bustling Borough Market. A true feast for the senses, it offers a huge variety of delicious street food made fresh on-site. From vegan burgers to meat pie and mash, you’ll be spoiled for choice. While there, don’t miss out on the culinary shopping or free cooking demonstrations. The market has a modified schedule, so check their website before going.

It’s well worth venturing beyond the confines of central London to the city’s northwestern suburb of Colindale to this huge and happening Asian food court. Catering to every taste and budget, it features more than 20 concessions cooking up an eclectic mix of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Malaysian cuisines. Translated from Mandarin as “Good Good,” Bang Bang offers a wide selection of sushi, dim sum, curry, bubble tea and more.

Edgware Road, otherwise known as Little Beirut, has no shortage of top-quality shawarma and shisha joints. Among them is Ranoush Juice, which stays open until 3 a.m. Part of the long-established Maroush brand, which has eateries across the capital, Ranoush is a smaller, fast-food-style operation serving some of the best drinks and dishes from the Middle East, including hummus, falafel, moussaka and, needless to say, a fine late-night kebab.