London, United Kingdom

Photo spots in London

• Tower BridgeBridges
  Gothic Revival bascule bridge, photograph from both sides for contrast and reflections
• Big Ben & ParliamentHistoric
  Neo-Gothic Palace of Westminster, best framed across river or from nearby gardens
• Tower of LondonHistoric
  Medieval fortress with crown jewels, dramatic architecture and architectural details
• Westminster AbbeyReligious sites
  Stunning Gothic abbey church, ornate facade and interior with centuries of history
• Buckingham PalaceHistoric
  Official royal residence, photograph from gates or across park for best framing
• London EyeArchitecture
  Giant observation wheel on South Bank, stunning city views and night illumination
• The ShardArchitecture
  Europe's tallest building with glass design, reflection photography and panoramic views
• St Paul's CathedralReligious sites
  Iconic baroque cathedral with massive dome, stunning from Millennium Bridge at dawn
• Trafalgar SquareNeighborhoods
  Historic square with Nelson Column and surrounding architecture, evening atmosphere lively
• Piccadilly CircusNeighborhoods
  Neon-lit London icon with energy and crowds, photography best at night when illuminated
• Borough MarketMarkets
  Historic food market under railway arch with vibrant morning activity and atmosphere
• Millennium BridgeBridges
  Modern steel footbridge between St Paul's and Tate, stunning reflections in Thames
• Shakespeare's GlobeCulture
  Reconstructed Elizabethan theater with characteristic circular wooden design and thatching
• British MuseumMuseums
  Neoclassical building with iconic grand steps and columns, architectural photography gem
• Harrods Department StoreMarkets
  Iconic luxury store with illuminated Edwardian building, night photography spectacular
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour LondonTheme parks
  Timed entry only and slots go weeks ahead; the shuttle from Watford Junction is the practical way there. It is all tungsten and set lighting, so bring a fast lens rather than a flash, which is banned in the Great Hall.
• ZSL London ZooZoos & aquariums
  Lubetkin's 1934 Penguin Pool and the Snowdon Aviary are listed modernist architecture and shoot better than most of the animals. Arrive at opening, because by midday the Regent's Park crowds kill any wide shot.
• Sea Life London AquariumZoos & aquariums
  In the County Hall basement beside the London Eye, which makes it the obvious rainy-day pivot. The glass walkway over the shark tank is the one frame: shoot straight down with the lens flat on the surface.
• Kew GardensParks
  The Palm House curves are the classic, but the Temperate House holds more even light and the Treetop Walkway puts you 18 m above the canopy. A frosty winter morning with low sun beats anything summer offers.
• Hampton Court PalaceHistoric
  Half Tudor brick and half Wren baroque, plus the Great Vine and the hedge maze, 35 minutes from Waterloo. Go on a weekday and shoot the west front before the coach groups land around 11.
• Kensington PalaceHistoric
  The King's Staircase mural and the Sunken Garden are the two shots, and the garden is free to walk without a ticket. Interiors are dim and tripod-free, so plan on 1/60s handheld.
• IFS Cloud Cable CarTransit
  Ten minutes across the Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks with Canary Wharf broadside the whole way. Buy the return, sit on the west side heading north, and check hours first because it shuts early in winter.
• Royal Observatory GreenwichMuseums
  Flamsteed House and the meridian line sit on the hill above Greenwich Park, and the view down the Queen's House axis to Canary Wharf is why you climb. That viewpoint is outside the paid area, so shoot it at blue hour after the observatory closes.
• Churchill War RoomsMuseums
  The underground Cabinet Rooms sit at roughly 20 lux, preserved as left in 1945, with no flash and no tripods allowed. Book the first slot of the day, since the corridors are narrow and one tour group blocks every sightline.
• TeamSport Go Karting West London ActonGo-karting
  Indoor karting - part of the TeamSport chain.
• TeamSport Go Karting Docklands East LondonGo-karting
  Indoor karting - part of the TeamSport chain.
• TeamSport Go Karting & Bowling Brent CrossGo-karting
  Indoor karting - part of the TeamSport chain.
• TeamSport Go Karting North London EdmontonGo-karting
  Indoor karting - part of the TeamSport chain.
• TeamSport Go Karting Watford Greater LondonGo-karting
  Indoor karting - part of the TeamSport chain.
• TeamSport Go Karting Mitcham South LondonGo-karting
  Indoor karting - part of the TeamSport chain.
• Coral Reef WaterworldWater parks
  Indoor waterpark.

Where to stay

Hotels near these spots are shown on the map as bed pins, grouped into three price bands, with a booking link for each one. Open the map and tick “Hotels” in the legend.