Apr 3, 2025

London Chess Centre London

Pawn Shop

""London Chess Centre" is a charming chess shop that offers sets for every budget, as well as books, magazines and other board games. Check(mate) it out!"

Chess is a game that demands extreme patience, requires sharp foresight and commands cunning strategy. Sadly I have very few of these traits which makes me a poor chess player indeed. However this does not stop me from browsing the London Chess Centre on Baker Street (a street known for another crafty thinker, Sherlock Holmes).

This charming chess shop offers chess sets for every budget - from travel sized to grand budget-busting sets. There are also plenty of books, magazines, videos and computer study guides to help budding chess wizards improve their skills. For those fashion conscious chess fans, there are even trendy chess t-shirts on display. 

If chess is not your passion, the shop also offers other games including bridge, Carcassonne and even Jenga so no one should feel left out. When shopping for future birthday gifts, perhaps more traditional chess sets or board games will make a greater impact than just another DVD or video game? Check(mate) it out! 

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

About this spot

44 Baker Street

Chess Set:

£

29.99

+44

2074867015

Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

A tiny urban jungle

Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Geranium

The Barbican Centre’s best kept secret

Shelves run all around the edge of the shop, piled high with upmarket store cupboard essentials in addition to handmade soaps and eco-friendly products.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Sutton House

Hackney’s hidden Tudor gem

Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Eel Pie Island

An artists’ colony in the Thames

It was once the site of the Eel Pie Hotel, a 19th-century guesthouse turned jazz venue and now it’s been transformed into a hippie artists’ colony...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Leighton House

An architectural masterpiece

The domed Arab Hall – a glittering chamber inspired by the inside of the Castello della Zisa in Palermo – is what most visitors come for.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

The Cosmic House

A postmodernist masterpiece

Features of particular interest include the Architectural Library, the Solar Stair, a central spiral staircase with 52 steps for each week of the year...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Morocco Bound

Bermondsey’s secret cultural hub

Tucked away in Bermondsey, Morocco Bound does it all, it is at once a bookshop, café, co-working space, beer bar and intimate events venue.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

The Phoenix Garden

A secret leafy paradise

The Phoenix Garden is remarkably inconspicuous: a bombsite turned car park turned community garden hidden behind high hedges and wrought iron railings.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

London Fields Lido

Hackney riviera

"London Fields Lido" is for those rare days when it's actually hot and sunny. Beat the crowds, head over to this colourful pool and meet me there!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 25, 2025

Caravan

The traveler's choice

"Caravan" London is one of my favourite restaurants for having one of my favourite meals of the day: brunch. It's easy to savour every last bit here and...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 20, 2025

Chuku's

North London Nigerian tapas

"Chuku's" in North London serves Nigerian tapas that invites you to 'chop, chat and chill!'

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 19, 2025

Eltham Palace and Gardens

Art Deco haven

In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ellie

Swain

Apr 6, 2025

Heading to London?

222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to London?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

222 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite London

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
19
Filters