London is one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world, and this applies to the architecture as well. If you live in London, you will of course recognise the buildings on this list, but you will also have a number of other buildings, both large and small, that are your personal favourites.
London is dotted with iconic, masterfully created buildings and the city’s willingness to experiment with different styles, techniques and aesthetics throughout the last few centuries has resulted in some of the most innovative architectural styles in the world all coexisting in this one city. Below are some of the most iconic buildings in central London, but of course, this list is far from exhaustive.
The Gherkin
Although at first a controversial building, The Gherkin has grown into a favourite of many Londoners and tourists alike. Although the official name of the building is 30 St Mary Axe, the building has become known as The Gherkin because, well, it looks like a pickle. Others think that the building looks more similar to a bullet or a lipstick, but the association with a pickle is what has stood the test of time. If you’d like to visit The Gherkin, you can travel up to the restaurant and bar at the top of the building to enjoy the panoramic views.
The Walkie Talkie
Just like The Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie is not this building’s real name. The building’s official name is 20 Fenchurch Street, but because the building appears to look like a walkie talkie, it has earned this peculiar moniker. This building has an odd shape and many Londoners were at first sceptical of how it would fit in to the London skyline – these feelings were heightened when the building started inadvertently melting objects due to its particular curvature. However, most London denizens have grown to love this oddball building.
If you also love the Walkie Talkie, you can book a free visit up to the top of the building, which features a lush, peaceful garden. You can have a drink, enjoy a coffee or eat lunch up in the garden and you will feel as if you had ascended through the clouds into heaven.
Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are tourist favourites for a reason. These gorgeous buildings are not quite as tall as some of their central London counterparts, but they were crafted with skill, dedication and concern, and it shows in the exquisite masonry. For those who have never been to London before or had the chance to tour these buildings, the experience is unforgettable and will impress upon every visitor the significance of the space they are in.
Westminster Abbey is particularly worth a visit – the building itself dates back to 1539, although construction began in 1080. It is not every day that you get to walk through a millennium of history and feel its weight and impact, so it is definitely worth taking the time to walk through Westminster Abbey to enjoy the atmosphere and consider the inescapable passage of time as you do so.
The Hippodrome Casino, London
If you have ever been in Leicester Square, you will know that the Hippodrome Casino is the jewel of the Square. This casino arguably boasts the most glamorous casino floor in Great Britain, with its high, vaulted ceiling and chandeliers, and terraces for spectators to take in the action below. The Hippodrome was opened in 1900 as a venue for circus performances, musical shows and other events.
If you want to bring some of the glamour of the Hippodrome Casino home, you can try playing an online casino game. Online casinos have grown in popularity over the course of the last few years and there are now hundreds of different online casino platforms to choose from. Slot machine games are some of the most popular games to play on online casinos and slot games come in different types with various styles, aesthetics and prizes available for gamblers. Online casinos such as Rizk Online Casino help to bring the fun, excitement and glamour of the casino floor to your home through the use of a convenient online gambling platform.
Listed above are just a few of the most iconic buildings in central London. There are assuredly hundreds more buildings in central London that are beautiful, historic and iconic in their own way. The seemingly continual personal discovery of new, noteworthy buildings in London is just one of many reasons why we all love this city so much.
Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!