A Guide to the Best Architecture in London

By Nicole Brewer

I absolutely loved everything about London when I trotted during the 2012 London Olympics. From the fresh fish and chips to taking the Tube, London holds its own unique lure for any traveler. It is such a dynamic city with plenty of things to do and see, no matter when you visit. As a huge architecture fan, London appealed to me even more because of the history and stunning buildings. Here are my picks for the best places to see if you are a fellow architecture fan like me.

The British Library

The British Library, which is located in the famous Kings Cross neighborhood, is home to a collection of over 150 million publications and archival items. It houses some of the most famous printed items, from drafts of the Magna Carta to a Beatles manuscript. While it houses some of the most amazing pieces of history, the building in itself is a stunning piece of architecture. It’s free to enter the permanent collection, and there’s a small fee to see some of the temporary works.

The British Library is located at 96 Euston Road. If you’re interested in staying near this landmark, consider a stay at the modern Thistle Euston Hotel, which is right near Euston Station on the Tube.

The Gherkin (St. Mary Axe)

The St. Mary Axe, also known as the Gherkin, is undoubtedly one of London’s finest contemporary buildings. Curved benches placed around the building are inscribed with lines from “Arcadian Dream Garden,” written by Scottish poet Ian Hamilton Finlay. This gorgeous building is generally closed to the public, but if you time your visit right you can tour the building during events like Open House London.

The St. Mary Axe is located at 30 St. Mary Axe, near the Bank or Liverpool Street Tube stations. If you’d like to stay near this wonderful masterpiece, the Apex City of London Hotel is a great option for you.

London pic via Trover.com.

The Historic House of Parliament

The House of Parliament or the Palace of Westminster is the actual meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament in the United Kingdom. Home to the House of Lords and the House of the Commons, this building lies on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames and is one of the most picturesque views in London. While most visitors just want to see Big Ben, seeing the entire House of Parliament will take your breath away.

This building has a rich history and was rebuilt after being damaged in a fire in 1834. Shortly thereafter, a competition sought a design for the new building that would hold the two houses of Parliament. Sir Charles Barry beat out over 90 other entries to design the complex in a fantastic Gothic Revival style that we admire today.

The House of Parliament is located at Bridge Street, SW1 at the Westminster Tube station. The contemporary Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London offers stunning views of this famous English landmark.

Whether you prefer historical buildings or cutting-edge design, don’t miss these picks for the best architecture in London.

**This is a sponsored post opportunity via Hipmunk with their #HipmunkCityLove Project. The content is my own.**