Six iconic shots: where to take unforgettable photos in London

From monumental historic architecture to soaring modern skyscrapers; from the green calm of Royal Parks to neon-splashed street art; and from the landmark-lined sweep of the River Thames to an ever-evolving skyline, London offers endless opportunities for photographers. But with so much to see, finding the best London photo spots can be overwhelming and challenging. 

There’s too much choice! The weather’s unpredictable! Famous viewpoints can be swamped by crowds! And you might find yourself pounding out 10,000 steps before lunch in pursuit of the most Instagrammable London photo. But the good news is, you don’t need a fancy camera to photograph London – just a smartphone and a pair of comfy walking shoes. From postcard classics to colourful spots that most tourists miss, here are six London photo locations that’ll make your travel images stand out from the rest. 

Red phone box and St Paul’s Cathedral

London’s red phone boxes may not be in use anymore but they’re still synonymous with the city. You can find them dotted all over, but if you want to capture one alongside another London icon, head to Festival Gardens at the southeast corner of St Paul’s Cathedral. Away from the main entrance and the tube station, this is the quietest side, where you’ll find a red phone box tucked away amid the green of the gardens, with Sir Christopher Wren’s famous dome lined up behind. The phone box’s red paintwork is a little tired, but if you shoot from a low angle to emphasise the dome peeping through the leaves, you’ll barely notice.

Nearest tube: St Paul’s

The Churchill Arms in Kensington

Dripping in flowers, pots and hanging baskets, the Churchill Arms pub in Kensington has become a social media sensation. Add a picture of legendary Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on the sign, about two dozen Union Jack flags, and craft pints for sale inside, and you’ve got a classic trifecta of Britishness. Its look changes throughout the year, too – bursting with blooms in early summer, or lit up with fairy lights at Christmas. Stand on the corner of Campden Street and use your smartphone’s wide-angle lens to capture the whole building. If you arrive early in the evening, you can capture it as the light softens, and then head inside for a pint after your busy day exploring London’s photo spots. 

Nearest tube: Notting Hill Gate

The City of London

For London skyline photos, many people head to the London Eye (expensive) or the Sky Garden (free but crowded). But if you want the views without the queues, head to 120 Fenchurch Street in the heart of the business district. Here you’ll find a much-less famous and free hidden rooftop garden which, while not as high up as Sky Garden, offers a peaceful retreat with incredible views over the river towards Tower Bridge and the Tower of London on one side, and into the heart of the City’s skyscrapers on the other. The garden’s clean lines make a great foreground, especially with a hint of green framing the iconic Gherkin. The high glass walls make photographing the river without reflections a little tricky, but here’s where a phone is better than a big camera: hold it up high and position the tiny lens in one of the gaps between the glass panels for a clear shot.

Nearest tube: Monument / Fenchurch St 

Colourful houses in Notting Hill

Candy-coloured terraced houses are a Notting Hill signature and you’ll find plenty to choose from if you wander around the neighbourhood. St Luke’s Mews and Elgin Crescent are famous photo spots, but another cute (and less visited) corner is where Callcott Street meets Uxbridge Street, with a perfect pastel row of pink, green, yellow and blue.

Aim for mid-morning or early afternoon if you want the sun on your subject. Try framing the shot creatively: wait for a passerby to walk through or look for reflections in the windows of parked cars. But please remember to be respectful – these are people’s homes, so keep your voice down, and no sitting on the front steps or peering in through the windows. 

Nearest tube: Notting Hill Gate

The River Thames 

Top of the list of London icons are the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster. If you want to capture both in a single image, the place to go is the Golden Jubilee footbridges, which hug the north and south sides of the Hungerford railway bridge between Waterloo and Embankment stations. Stand on the south side and you get a panoramic view of the London Eye, Big Ben, and the river in one sweeping shot. If it’s a clear day, get there about an hour before sunset – Waterloo sunsets are so famous that The Kinks even wrote a song about them. Catch the reflections in the water as the orange glow gleams off the towers of Vauxhall, or try using Live mode and turn on long exposure to smooth out the water.

Nearest tube: Embankment

Leake Street Arches in Waterloo

For colour and character, the Leake Street Arches graffiti tunnel under Waterloo Station is hard to beat – an underground side of London that provides a grittier urban contrast to all the city’s historic monuments. Artists paint over each other’s creations daily, so it’s a living work of art that’s different every time you visit. It's dim inside, so you may need to use Night mode and hold your camera steady. Use your wide angle setting to get as much in as you can, and don’t forget to look up – the ceilings are amazing, too. Let the straight lines of the walls lead the eye into the shot, and try including people silhouetted against the light at the end of the tunnel for a focal point. 

Nearest tube: Waterloo