Top Fake London Landmarks

London's Faux-Pas: Unveiling the Top 5 Fake Landmarks...

By Eva de Valk | Updated Apr 8 2024

Looking for something unusual to do with the family in London this weekend? We reckon you can have some real fun with our offbeat guide to these fake London landmarks...

The Fake Fancy Houses

Within the refined streets of Bayswater, London's penchant for the peculiar takes center stage at numbers 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens. What appears as ordinary neoclassical facades harbors a delightful secret dating back to the 1860's. These 'Fake Fancy Houses' were ingeniously crafted to camouflage the unsightly steam vents of the Underground below. And oh, the tales they could tell! From cameo appearances in Sherlock to serving as the backdrop for impromptu 'charity balls,' these impostor houses have seen it all.

These Fake Fancy Houses are found at 23-24 Leinster Gardens, W2 3BH 

The Fake Front Door

Behold, 10 Adam Street—a deceptively charming façade that mirrors none other than the iconic 10 Downing Street. For those shutterbugs yearning for a snap outside the Prime Minister's domain, this clever doppelgänger offers the perfect photo op. With its distinguished Georgian architecture and a front door that could make even the most seasoned political pundit do a double-take, 10 Adam Street is the ultimate stand-in for its more illustrious counterpart. Built in the late 18th century, alongside the real McCoy, this architectural charlatan serves as a testament to the whimsy of fate and the uncanny coincidences that pepper London's rich tapestry of landmarks. 

The Fake Front Door can be found at 10 Adam Street, WC2N 6AA 

The Fake House of a Fictional Detective

Ah, the legendary 221B Baker Street—a shrine to the world's most beloved fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. But beware, dear sleuths, for finding this iconic address might prove more perplexing than solving Moriarty's most devious conundrum! While Westminster Council graciously permitted the Sherlock Holmes Museum to adopt the famous address, the true location lies nestled between numbers 237 and 241. Nevertheless, for those seeking a brush with Baker Street brilliance need only venture to the corner of North Gower Street and Tolmer’s Square, where the BBC's rendition of Sherlock Holmes found its home. The museum itself, although a charming diversion for holidaymakers, remains a  tribute to the sleuth's legendary exploits. From the attentive 'Bobbies' at the entrance to the costumed guides leading you through Holmes' meticulously preserved rooms, immerse yourself in the essence of a bygone era. 

The Fake House of a fictional detective can’t actually be found… but the Sherlock Holmes Museum is located at 221b Baker St, NW1 6XE 

The Fake Roman Bathhouse 

Built not by the toga-clad Romans, but by the shrewd Mr. James Smith in the 17th century, this "ancient" bathhouse found itself at the center of a marketing whirlwind under the guise of the "Old Roman Spring Baths." Oh, the audacity! Despite its murky origins, the bathhouse lured unsuspecting patrons with promises of rejuvenation, only to witness a string of unfortunate mishaps, including the demise of a hapless fare-dodger and an ill-fated MP. But alas, the charade persisted, bolstered by literary mentions and the unwitting endorsement of Charles Dickens himself. So, next time you find yourself wandering the misty alleyways of Westminster, keep an eye out for this relic of London's most scandalous hoaxes

The Fake Roman Baths are located at 5 Strand Lane, WC2R 2NA 

The Fake Head

An enigma wrapped in wax, padding, and a dash of preserved hair! Within UCL's Student Centre lies a glass case containing not just any old head, but a cunning replica of the famed philosopher's cranium. You see, Bentham, in all his utilitarian wisdom, foresaw the need to preserve his essence for posterity. But alas, the experiment to mummify his real head left it looking more nightmarish than noteworthy! Enter the trusty wax replica, lovingly adorned with Bentham's own locks, ensuring that even in death, his follicles remain forever in fashion. And while Bentham's Auto-Icon may not attend council meetings or cast votes (as the rumors suggest), it does serve as a perpetual reminder of the man who dared to challenge tradition from beyond the grave. S

The Fake Head can be found at University College London’s Student Centre, 27-28 Gordon Square, WC1H 0AW 

The London Stone

Tucked away in the unassuming confines of 111 Cannon Street, this seemingly innocuous slab of history boasts a tale as tall as the Tower of London. Some say it's London's enchanted heart, with the Mayor serving as its clandestine guardian—a duty more daunting than dragon-slaying, surely! Others whisper that London's very fate hangs in the balance, for should this stone budge an inch, the city's demise is nigh—talk about a rock and a hard place! From Druidic altars to Roman milestones, the Stone's resume reads like a who's who of ancient architecture. Yet, amidst the fog of folklore, one thing remains clear: the London Stone stands as a steadfast sentinel of the city's enigmatic past—a must-see for history buffs and conspiracy theorists alike!

The London Stone can be found at: 111 Cannon St, London EC4N 5AR