The best cities in the world are defined by their beautiful, iconic buildings. There is no greater evidence of this than London.
London has an eclectic range of buildings that show the cities past, history and indeed the future of the capital of England.
Whether you are visiting London or simply fascinated by the city itself some of these incredible British buildings in London are certainly worth exploring.
Buckingham Palace
As the Queen’s official resident in London and an actual fully working royal palace, this building is a must-see for tourists. The gorgeous architecture is famous around the world, and everything about the palace suggests an incredible level of wealth.
The palace was built in 1703, and at that time it was a townhouse. Since then, the palace has always been used as a residency for the royal family. However, there have been several notable constructions and renovations on the property to bring it into the 21st century.
The sheer size of the palace is staggering. It has the grandest garden in all of London and an incredible 775 rooms.
St Pauls Cathedral
A stunning, Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London St Pauls Cathedral can be found at Ludgate hill.
The Gorgeous cream shade ensures that the building stands out from the existing architecture and the dome has been part of the skyline for well over 300 years. Up until 1967, it was the tallest building in London.
Tower Of London
Over 900 years old, this great castle is located in the centre of the city. It has been used for a wide range of purposes over the years including holding the crown jewels and housing various prisoners.
It is for this reason that tourists hardly ever miss a chance to take a trip back in time and explore this medieval masterpiece.
Big Ben
While part of the Palace of Westminster, the clock tower is an icon unto itself. Designed by Augustus Pugin, it was once known as the largest and most accurate clock in the world.
Standing at 315 feet and with 334 steps up to the belfry, the size is certainly staggering.
Palace Of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster is perhaps best recognised as the hub or perhaps the heart of British politics, housing both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Located on the River Thames, this landmark is famous on an international level. The original palace was destroyed in 1834, but the current palace was built back up.
This took place somewhere between 1840 and 1870 with gothic revival a large part of the theme for the redesigns.
The building is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is also known as simply ‘Westminster.’
The Gherkin
Found at 30 St. Mary Axe, the Gherkin is unique in being one of the few modern buildings on this list. Many people are unaware that the original plan for this building was to construct a tower that rose 92 storeys, towering over the London Skyline.
Instead, the Gherkin was built up to just 40 storeys, and yet the design work is still incredible to behold. Completed in 2003, the tower is home to a number of international companies and has won the hearts of both locals and tourists.
British Museum
Easily, the largest museum in Britain, it is known for its massive stone pillars that make it look as though it has been ripped straight out of Rome.
While the exterior may look medieval, inside, there are some incredible modern features, and the layout is rather futuristic. It’s also interesting to note that the building is actually older than the United States.
Westminster Abbey
Famous for being the spot where coronations take place, Westminster Abbey is another tourist top spot. It’s a stunning, majestic building that has been around since 1090 when it was originally built.
Various monarchs have ensured the upkeep of the building, guaranteeing that Westminster Abbey continues to be one of the crown jewels of London.
Westminster Abbey has played host to some of the most famous weddings in the UK. Most recently, it was where Prince William and Princess Catherine Middleton were wed in 2011.
Royal Albert Hall
Widely known for its dome shape, the Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall in South Kensington. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, all the world’s most famed artists have performed here at one point or another. Annually, the hall hosts 390 shows.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is the second residential home of the British royal family on this list. While not nearly as impressive as its competition, Kensington Palace is still a remarkable building.
It has been the home of the royal family from the 17th century onwards and can be found the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Today, it is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as various other members of the royal family.
