Ever wondered where Galadriel or Elrond would stash a ring of power if they were wandering around modern-day London? Secret London had fun with exactly that question, pairing the Amazon series' cast and characters with spots around the capital where each would plausibly hide their precious jewellery. It's a playful piece, but it doubles as a genuinely handy tour of London's most atmospheric corners — the sort of moody, historic places that feel halfway to Middle-earth anyway.
The charm of the idea is how well it works as a self-guided day out. Think of the spots that get wheeled out in every fantasy-movie location scout: fog-laden bridges, quiet Victorian cemeteries, shadowy alleyways in the City of London, grand old institutions stuffed with centuries of secrets. London has them in spades, and mapping them to fictional characters is a fun way to see the city with fresh eyes rather than ticking off the usual Big Ben-and-eye itinerary.
You can build your own version of the game pretty easily. Start somewhere dramatic and ancient — the City's medieval lanes around St Paul's, or the sprawling Gothic imagining that is Westminster. Add a watery element for that Elven mood: the Thames at dusk, Little Venice's calm canals, or Hampstead's ponds. Then finish in a dark, hushed space where nobody would ever think to look — Highgate Cemetery's overgrown grandeur or one of the capital's crypts does the job nicely. Swap in whichever characters and places appeal to you; the whole point is inventing your own lore for London.
It's also a nice excuse to explore neighbourhoods you'd normally skip. The areas that look most 'Middle-earth' — old cemeteries, hidden gardens, river walks — tend to be away from the crowds, in places like Highgate, Hampstead and the backstreets of Southwark. That means cheaper pubs, quieter pavements and a version of London most weekend visitors never see.
Why it matters for travellers: if you're visiting London and bored of the standard sightseeing loop, a themed route like this gives you structure without the price tag of an official tour. It costs nothing, it works in any weather (there's always a museum or crypt nearby when it rains), and it's especially good for families or fans of the show who want a shared mission for the day. Dress for walking, bring a camera, and don't blame us if you come home convinced you saw an Elf by the river.
