London Landmarks: Must-See Architecture Around the City and Beyond

• 25 Apr 2025
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Standing by the River Thames and watching the London Eye spin, you can't really avoid London's most iconic buildings. From the sharp angles of The Shard to the gothic details on Westminster Abbey, the city is packed with spots that make even jaded locals pause for an extra look. But there’s more to these landmarks than just a quick selfie; knowing the trick to getting inside St. Paul’s Cathedral (book a weekday afternoon, it’s quieter), or where to snag the best view of Tower Bridge (hint: stroll over to Butler’s Wharf), makes a massive difference.

One thing you’ll notice living or working here—these buildings aren’t just for tourists. Londoners meet friends in the shadow of the Natural History Museum, or take families to the courtyard at Somerset House during summer for pop-up events. The architecture is woven into day-to-day life, and every building, from the blocky Barbican to the bright red buses skimming past Big Ben, feels like another character in the mix.

Travel tip: Most famous landmarks open earlier or stay open later a few times each month. If you’d rather skip endless queues and dodge school trips, check if St. Pancras station’s hotel tours or Garden at 120’s rooftop spots are available—and book ahead. Mobile apps like Citymapper easily slot in routes that take you past clusters of must-see London architecture, or you can hop on a Santander Cycle (the red ones everyone calls Boris Bikes) for a self-guided tour that skips the tube crowds. Trust me, it’s much more fun to take in these sites from a bike lane than pressed against a train window.

• London’s Most Iconic Landmarks
• Hidden Architectural Gems You Can’t Miss
• Tips for Visiting Like a Local
• Day Trips for Architecture Lovers

London’s Most Iconic Landmarks

Nothing says "you’re in London" quite like seeing Big Ben peek over the skyline or the sharp glass tip of The Shard. These London landmarks aren't just for tourists—they’re regular backdrops for commutes, after-work drinks, and even the odd film set. Westminster Abbey, for example, has been the scene of every coronation since 1066. If you want to avoid the crowds, try latenight Wednesday openings. The Abbey runs these a few times a year and the atmosphere changes completely once the day-trippers head out.

Tower Bridge gets its fair share of Instagram photos but the real fun comes from booking a slot on the high-level glass walkway. You can stare down at black cabs and buses passing 42 metres below. For locals, the best angle is actually from Potters Fields Park, which gives you the bridge and the modern skyline behind it.

St. Paul’s Cathedral isn’t just a dome on the horizon. Head inside (book online for fast entry) and climb the 528 steps up to the Golden Gallery. On a clear day you can spot Wembley Stadium’s arch. Remember no photography allowed inside the main cathedral, but the views at the top are all yours for the ‘Gram.

People love The Shard mainly for its height—it’s Western Europe’s tallest building at 310 metres. Londoners use it as a marker for getting lost in Southwark. For the View from The Shard, book tickets in advance: it saves you up to £10 compared to turning up. And yes, you can sip a G&T at one of its bars even without visiting the observation deck, just use the hotel entrance.

Some numbers to give you an idea how busy these must-see buildings get through the year:

Top tip: If you’ve got guests who don’t love queues, try the early entry tours at the Tower of London. You’ll get to see the Crown Jewels before the regular crowds rush in. And if you’re local, London Pass or National Rail 2-for-1 offers can save serious cash, even if you’re only ticking off one or two sites a year.

Hidden Architectural Gems You Can’t Miss

It’s easy to get caught up in the usual London landmarks—Buckingham Palace here, Big Ben there. But there’s a bunch of lesser-known buildings scattered across the city that blow most visitors away. Local Londoners love these spots because they’re usually less busy and offer up proper stories you won’t find in the standard guidebooks.

Leighton House Museum in Kensington looks normal from the outside, but step in and it’s packed with gold domes, dreamy tiles, and a staircase that belongs in a movie. This quirky Victorian villa was home to artist Lord Leighton, and is now filled with art and architectural surprises. Top tip: go on a Friday afternoon to avoid school trips.

A quick ride east and you’ll hit Wilton’s Music Hall near Tower Hill. It’s tucked down an ordinary street but once inside, you’ll see the oldest surviving music hall in the world, with its original wooden balconies and atmospheric bar. Not only are there late-night comedy shows and gigs, but guided tours dive deep into the building’s history every Thursday.

If you’re around the Barbican, check out the Ironmonger Row Baths. Built in the 1930s, this former public bathhouse has high-vaulted ceilings, an old-school swimming pool, and a Turkish hammam. You can still book a cheap swim or steam—much cheaper than fancy spas in the West End.

For pure Instagram value, you can’t skip God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow. It’s not your classic ‘old’ building, but this neon wonderland packs more glowing signage and quirky art than anywhere else in London. You’ll see locals sipping coffee among retro signs and even film props—Hollywood has borrowed from here for shoots!

Here’s a simple list to make sure you’ve got these must-see buildings on your radar:

• Leighton House Museum (Victorian artsy with Middle Eastern flair)
• Wilton’s Music Hall (historic entertainment in East London)
• Ironmonger Row Baths (affordable relaxation in a classic setting)
• God’s Own Junkyard (neon art haven, not just for design fans)

Many of these places offer discounted entry with a National Art Pass or Museum Association card—worth considering if you love exploring London’s architecture and plan to see several sites.

Tips for Visiting Like a Local

Want to get the most out of London landmarks without getting stuck in crowds or paying top tourist prices? Here’s how locals do it.

• Skip the weekend rush. Plan to visit heavy-hitters like Westminster Abbey or Tower of London midweek. Early mornings or late afternoons are quieter, especially outside of school holidays.
• Buy tickets online. Most places (yes, even the Sky Garden and The Shard) have timed entry and often cheaper tickets online. Showing up without pre-booking means you’re rolling the dice on long waits.
• Use an Oyster or contactless card. Getting around to all the must-see buildings is far cheaper this way. Zones 1–2 cover a huge chunk of central London; don’t bother paying more unless you’re heading to, say, Kew Gardens or Hampton Court.
• Picnic like a pro. Don’t fork out for overpriced café food at big attractions. M&S Foodhall, Pret, and Tesco Express are everywhere—grab a meal deal, then eat in Regent’s Park or along the South Bank by the river.
• Look for local events and open days. Buildings like the Houses of Parliament have guided tours (and sometimes resident-only open houses—worth checking if you’ve got the right postcode). The annual Open House Festival lets you peek inside places like 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin) for free.

To help you plan, here’s a handy table showing rough queue times at peak and off-peak hours for some of the top architecture spots:

And here’s a trick: free walking tours (look for brands like Free Tours by Foot or Strawberry Tours) cover a bunch of iconic sites and even a few oddball ones like post-modern Crossrail Place. Just remember, tipping your guide is the friendly thing to do.

Finally, grab your camera for golden hour—London’s architecture looks best lit up just before sunset, especially places like Big Ben or St. Paul’s across the Millennium Bridge. You’ll dodge the worst of the crowds and get proper brag-worthy shots.

Day Trips for Architecture Lovers

If you’ve already ticked off the big London landmarks and want a change of scenery, there’s a surprising array of must-see buildings just outside the city. These places are easy to reach by train or car, and you don’t need to be an architecture student to enjoy them—just a bit of curiosity and a free day.

Windsor Castle is only about a 30-minute train ride from London Paddington. The world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, it’s the kind of place where you can spot details from Norman times right up to the changing of the Guard today. Try to arrive just before opening, especially on weekends, to avoid long lines crawling through the State Apartments. Also, don’t skip St George’s Chapel—a classic example of gothic style and a royal wedding hotspot.

If modern vibes are your thing, check out Bexhill's De La Warr Pavilion. Hop on a train from London Victoria, switch at Eastbourne, and in a couple of hours you’re at the British birthplace of modernist architecture. With its sea views, smooth white lines, and sun-drenched terrace, the Pavilion looks just as fresh today as it did in the 1930s. Entry is free, but check ahead for exhibitions and live gigs if you want to time your visit just right.

Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, deserves a spot on any must-see buildings list. Located near Oxford, it’s an hour from London Marylebone by train (and then a short cab or bus from Oxford station). More than just a birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim is pure English baroque—grand halls, sweeping staircases, and sprawling gardens. If you love UK travel tips, know that Blenheim’s Park and Gardens ticket is cheaper than the full palace tour and still gets you amazing views of the architecture.

• Canterbury Cathedral—The classic structure that shaped English gothic. From London St Pancras, the high-speed train gets you there in under an hour. Book ahead and try a late afternoon weekday spot when it’s quieter and sunlight floods the nave.
• Strawberry Hill House—Just 35 minutes from Waterloo, this quirky gothic revival mansion looks plucked from a fairytale. Big windows, crazy details, and guided tours that let you hear about ghosts and literary parties.
• Hatfield House—Another quick ride from King’s Cross. The Jacobean mansion looks straight out of a Netflix period drama (because it often is). You get both grand interiors and pretty gardens—plus an easy walk into the nearby village for a pub lunch after.

Here’s a quick look at how long each spot takes to reach from central London:

Toss a reusable bottle and snacks in your bag—most of these trips can be done in half a day, but the runs to Oxford or Bexhill are better with a little planning. And don’t forget your phone charger; you’ll want plenty of photos. These iconic sites make great escapes from the city, showing just how much stunning architecture you can pack into a single weekend near London.