18 places you had no idea existed in outer London

There's certainly something a bit foreboding about Ham House in Richmond, and the more spiritually attuned might pick up on the ghosts said to roam the halls of this stately home. Don't let that put you off, or you'll be missing out on one of Europe's finest houses and best collections of seventeenth-century art, textiles and furniture, not to mention one of the capital's prettiest picnic spots. 

HOW TO GET THERE: Get the District line to Richmond (Zone 4), then the 371 bus.

Eel Pie Island is a crumb of land in the middle of the Thames just outside Twickenham. In the 1970s, it was the UK's biggest hippie commune and it has a rich musical history. These days the island is home to working artists (and a lot of boats).

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the train from Waterloo to Twickenham (Zone 5), then it's a short walk.

The vast wetlands of Barnes are an ornithologist's wonderland: these flooded plains of west London play host to a variety of birds and other wildlife for those times when you tire of urban foxes, tube mice and pesky pigeons. Probably no alligators to contend with, although we can't guarantee it... 

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the train from Waterloo to Barnes Bridge station (Zone 3), then the 209 bus.

The lush Hollow Pond is in Snaresbrook, on the edge of Epping Forest. Take a wander around the pond, breathe in some decent air for a change, while composing an ode or two.

HOW TO GET THERE:  Take the Central line to Leytonstone or the Victoria line to Walthamstow Central (both Zone 3), then the 257 bus.

Angels Fancy Dress isn't in Hollywood, it's in the significantly less glamorous Hendon, but having provided outfits for blockbusters like 'Hugo' and 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves', its costume stock is no less impressive for that. With attentive staff on hand to help you perfect your costume, you'll knock 'em dead with bespoke outfits you can buy and hire from the fancy dress shop. 

HOW TO GET THERE: The Northern line to Hendon Central (Zone 3), then a quick jaunt on the number 83.

Once the boyhood home of Henry VIII, Eltham Palace got a shot of Jazz Age glam when the Courtauld family built an art deco mansion on the site in the 1920s. These days, English Heritage is probably less keen on wild parties than Gatsby was, but it was refurbed to the tune of £1.7m, with some nifty new additions like replica '30s frocks that you can try on and touchscreen guides.

HOW TO GET THERE: Train from Charing Cross to Eltham (Zone 4).

Did you know Wimbledon has its own windmill? It may not have ground anything since 1864, but its sails are in working order and it's host to a museum about windmills of all types. Sited on Wimbledon Common, it's worth factoring into a stroll.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the District line or train to Wimbledon (Zone 3), then the 93 bus.

You know what they say: life finds a way. In this case, it found a way to New Malden, where someone decided that what mini-golf courses lacked were near-life-size sculptures of dinosaurs. Prehistoric animatronic beasts watch over golfers as they putt their way around a fiendish, floodlit 18-hole course. And people say the suburbs are just boring...

HOW TO GET THERE: Train from Waterloo to Raynes Park (Zone 4), then the 152 bus

Out in the Mediterranean climate of Zone 6, Ruislip is home to a picturesque sandy beach, the likes of which you wouldn't have dreamed existed within the reach of your Oyster. At its peak in the '70s, the 60-acre reservoir rivalled Margate as a sunny-day destination for Londoners, before it fell into neglect. Now it's the subject of a renewal programme to get the boaters and swimmers back. You can take a trip on the narrow-gauge railway that runs around the reservoir, or just laze on the sand as the resident geese honk at you from the water. 

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the Metropolitan or Piccadilly line to Ruislip (Zone 6), then the H13 or 331 bus.

The Great Conservatory at Syon House brings neoclassical splendour to Brentford. Your mum's greenhouse it ain't. It used to be filled with exotic plants from far-flung locations, but today you're more likely to find a film shoot here (we're talking The Avengers and Killing Eve).

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the Piccadilly line to Boston Manor (Zone 4), then the E8 bus.

Kids and adults alike can swap monkey-barring it down the tube carriage for monkeying about through the treetops of north London. Amid the beautiful woods and lakes of Enfield's Trent Park are elevated walkways, zip wires and Tarzan swings. Don't worry, you get a full safety briefing before you're let loose on the course, and if you're bad with heights, spectators are welcome to watch from the forest floor. Just don't be surprised if you end up with a crick in your neck. 

HOW TO GET THERE:
The Piccadilly line to Cockfosters (Zone 5).

Walthamstow Wetlands are a lush haven for wildlife. They’re London’s newest and biggest wetlands, after opening to the public for the first time in 150 years in autumn 2017. Eagle-eyed ornithologists can spot all kinds of wetland bird species, including rare sightings of garganey, kingfisher and green sandpiper. There are peaceful walking routes and the Engine House Cafe for refuelling. Since it’s a nature reserve, there’s also a focus on conservation - such as their programme to support the swift (the urban birds, not Taylor).

HOW TO GET THERE:
The Victoria line to Tottenham Hale (Zone 3), then a short walk.

Didn’t realise London had caves? As you descend into the depths of this man-made wonder, the Chislehurst caverns aren’t as eerie as you might imagine. Originally chalk and flint mines, the tunnels stretch on (and on and on) for an astonishing 22 miles and are also home to some impressively ornate carvings. But what is creepy, are the slightly dilapidated mannequins that linger about the place, which you wouldn’t want to run into down a dark alley. Wait a minute...

HOW TO GET THERE:
National Rail to Chislehurst (Zone 5).

Strawberry Hill House is proof that Gothic Georgian architecture is alive and well in London. The all-white castle, built by Horace Walpole in the 1700s, is in the heart of Twickenham. From exhibitions of ancient treasures to a garden with a sweeping ‘serpentine wood’ and a shell seat, it’s a dream for history buffs with a penchant for art and ol’ mother nature. Visit in the Summer to enjoy the Strawb’s full fairytale splendor.

HOW TO GET THERE:
The Victoria Line to Vauxhall, then National Rail to Strawberry Hill (Zone 5)

Over the hills and far away (in Hounslow), this neoclassical Georgian country estate is a peaceful interlude from the hubbub of central London. Some of the historic vistas are still in restoration mode, but that doesn’t really detract from the striking scenes. The National Trust looks after the grand house, gardens and parkland, putting on exhibitions, tours, yoga classes, outdoor film screenings, after-hours tours and more. If you’re visiting in daylight, take a picnic and make a day of it.

HOW TO GET THERE:
The Piccadilly Line to Osterley (Zone 5), then a 15-minute walk.

Golders Hill Park Zoo is one of the city’s lesser-known spots to get up close with cute critters. It’s actually nestled away in the far reaches of Hampstead Heath, the wild mane of north London. Visitors can see deer and rare and exotic birds and mammals like kookaburras and ring-tailed lemurs, all for free. Stick around and there’s also a butterfly house, bandstand, cafe and bunch of cool sculptures dotted around in the greenery.

HOW TO GET THERE:
The Northern Line to Golders Green (Zone 5), then a 10 minute walk. 

London is home to the only public museum created in homage to famed Arts and Crafts designer William Morris. You’ll find a load of internationally-renowned collections and a whole world of awe-inspiring tapestries in the craftsman’s former family home. Fun fact: some of Morris’s wallpaper has been found to contain arsenic, so it’s technically toxic. We don’t think you’ll encounter much of that here, but don’t lick anything, yeah? Check the website for talks and workshops ahead of your visit.

HOW TO GET THERE:
The Victoria Line or Overground to Blackhorse Road (Zone 3), then the BE bus.