London is popular for its iconic landmarks, from historic buildings to world-famous must-visit sites. Many London buildings are remarkable. Besides its unique structure and appealing design, there is also a history behind it, making these buildings a must-visit for tourists. Notably, London’s transportation system is also easy to use, making it easier for tourists to get around.
London buildings offer many experiences. You can enjoy its structure, interior design, and the events that some buildings have several occasions you can take part in. For example, the Royal Albert Hall is the home of many popular concert halls in London and all over the United Kingdom (UK).
Additionally, in the Royal Albert Hall, you may find orchestra, classical music and hip-hop shows in this building. Knowing this allows you to realise that even if the builders contracted this building many years ago, their existence can go well with modernisation. If you want to know more, let’s continue reading this article!
What kind of buildings are there in London?
London buildings have many kinds of landmarks, these are historic landmarks, royal palaces, religious sites, to modern skyscrapers. As an exciting metropolis city, London has already been popular for centuries due to its architecture successfully catching tourists’ attention. Hence, wherever you go, you will find many beautiful structures in London.
In addition to the kind of buildings in London, many architectural styles are also emerging to shape the city skyline beautifully. The variety of its style has continued to evolve, thanks to the work of internationally famous architects, such as Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and Thomas Heatherwick. One of its famous modern works is the London City Hall by Foster + Partners.
List of iconic London buildings
Famous London buildings are not only about historical places, even if they have a special preference for many tourists. However, London's tallest buildings also attract tourists to see the whole city from the skyline, thanks to the new technology evolving in this metropolis city. Thus, making The Shard, Horizon 22, the Sky Garden, and the Walkie-Talkie building popular for tourists.
Furthermore, in this section, we are going to share with you the complete list of iconic landmarks in London. From the most touristy must-visit, historical building, to the tallest building in London, here is the list for you!
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the London buildings you must visit once you arrive in this beautiful city. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Centres, where William the Conqueror built the tower around the White Tower to protect London and assert his power. Therefore, it has many layers of history, becoming the symbol of royalty.
Westminster Abbey
Another architectural masterpiece in London is Westminster Abbey. Builders constructed this royal church in the 13th to 16th centuries, and it still stands tall becoming a treasure house of artefacts. Moreover, Abbey is also the coronation church. Many of the most important figures in Britain’s history were buried or commemorated here.
The Shard
After knowing some notable historical landmarks, now let's move to the tallest London buildings. It is The Shard, next to London Bridge. This prominent structure is over 1,000 feet tall. This tall building is under a requirement of the Civil Aviation Authority for not interrupting low-flying aircraft. It has The View from The Shard where tourists can view an awe-inspiring 360 panoramic landscape. By this, you will enjoy a close-up and see a different view of London's most iconic buildings.
The Walkie Talkie
The Walkie-Talkie is another prominent modern London buildings. It has the Sky Garden as the one and only London’s highest public garden. It offers the same as The View from The Shard where you can see the city’s iconic skyline. However, it is a more relaxed and budget-friendly option, where you can enter freely.
The BT Tower
The BT Tower was once the tallest London buildings. Builders completed this building in the early 1960s to host a famous revolving restaurant. Now, it has been sold and closed to the public for redevelopment as a hotel. However, this iconic landmark still stands tall, making tourists want to take a picture with this building's background.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a famous theatre to commemorate a notable writer and playwright in England, William Shakespeare. This theatre has become an education centre and cultural landmark, as it welcomes over 1.25 million visitors a year from all over the world. It makes this building have its own charm to enjoy Shakespeare's masterpieces, such as Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet.
Old Royal Naval College
Old Royal Naval College is one of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It has celebrated a 600-year history, making it London’s most popular visitor attraction as it welcomes over 700,000 visitors every year. Notably, as one of London buildings, it has a statement of environmental sustainability to conserve its rich heritage for current and future generations.
Royal Courts of Justice
Royal Courts of Justice or Law Courts is another iconic London buildings, designed by George Edmund Street. It is a complex of courtrooms, halls, and offices. Builders constructed this complex in a Gothic Revival style, making this course with pointed arches and spires for a cathedral-like appearance. Inside, it has a grand labyrinthine with over 1,000 rooms, along with a high vaulted ceiling.
Alexandra Palace
Surrounded by Alexandra Park, Alexandra Palace is also well-known as “Ally Pally”. It was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, becoming Queen Alexandra when her husband, Edward VII, took the throne. Originally built for recreation and entertainment, it now hosts concerts and exhibitions. Notably, it also has an ice rink that is open for public skating and lessons. This palace is also surrounded by a boating lake, making it a great spot for picnics and walks.
Lloyds building
As it has modern design and architecture, Lloyd's building is also another prominent London buildings in this era. It is the home of the insurance institution, Lloyd’s of London. However, it is still an iconic London landmark. This building is famous due to pioneering an example of high-tech architecture in the early modern days.
How old are the oldest London buildings?
The oldest London buildings are AD 314, which means 1,700 years ago and AD 675, which means 1,350 years ago. The first one is St. Pancras Old Church, meanwhile the second is All Hallows by the Tower. St. Pancras Old Church is believed to be the oldest Christian worship site in London, right after Christianity was first legalised in the Roman Empire.
On the other hand, All Hallows by the Tower is believed to be the oldest surviving church building in the City of London. It survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 even though it was badly damaged. Today, it is still an active Anglican church that is very welcoming to tourists.
Conclusion
London buildings are very aesthetically appealing because of their structure and architecture. It has a broad array of historical landmarks, modern buildings, and religious sites. The style is also different, regarding the time it was built and who the architect was behind it. Thus, the city attracts visitors easily due to its charm and beauty.
If you are eager to learn more about architecture and how it can create such unique yet modern designs in buildings, the College of Contract Management offers many courses for you. Whether it is in construction, engineering, or architecture, you can take part based on your interests and preferences. The College collaborates with professionals in specific industries to ensure you have a great learning experience. Wait no more and enrol now!
