London is a beautiful city full of historical landmarks, vibrant exteriors, spectacular views and much more! In this guide you will learn lots of tips, tricks and techniques to capture the beauty of this Amazing City!. Most of these locations are free and are very accessible.

The best time to visit London to get the best weather would be between June – September time. England isn’t known for its glorious weathers but if we are lucky we get some beautiful days of sunshine! However, in the winter evenings London has some breathtakingly beautiful sunsets that should keep an eye out for if you ever visit!

Getting Around:

London is the place for transport! There are so many options of public transport in London from the underground to Tuk Tuk’s. You are almost spoilt for choice! You will never find yourself stuck in London trying to find an option of public transport that’s for sure.

1. The View From The Shard

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The views from The Shard is definitely my favourite spot to view London. I think for sure it is one of the best photography spots in the city. The best views are located on floors 68, 69 and 72. Be warned, Floor 72 is an open-air Skydeck and can get very chilly so wrap up warm if you plan on going to the top!

Getting There:

The View from The Shard is located within a few minutes’ walk from London Bridge Underground Station (Northern and Jubilee lines) and London Bridge Station (Southern and South Eastern trains).

When exiting the underground station, follow the signs for The Shard or Joiner Street. If you are exiting from London Bridge Station, turn left and go down the escalator, this will take you to Joiner Street where our entrance is located.

If travelling by car, please note there are no parking facilities on site. There are privately owned car parks nearby within a 10 minute walk.

Best Time To Go:

I would say all year round is great to visit The View from the Shard, however sunset and blue hour would be the best time to visit. Here is a link to opening times as times vary from day to day.

Entrance Fee:

To visit The view From The Shard you need to buy a ticket which costs £28pp.

Photo Tip:

One tip would be to bring something to wrap around your Lens due to reflections of people and lighting. They don’t allow tripods or lens skirts so a jumper would be ideal to use! I would also bring a lens that has a focal length of 50-150mm.

Tip:

ShardView is much better value if you visit as part of the LondonPass. This pass allows access to over 80 attractions and is a great option if you want to see lots of paid attractions while you visit.

2. One New Change (St Paul’s Cathedral)

Above is one of the most famous photos from One New Change of St Paul’s Cathedral that you have most likely seen on instagram. Behind, is a lift which can take you to a floor where there are some chain restaurants such as Zizzi’s and Nando’s. However if you visit the top, there is The Rooftop Bar and Tapas restaurant with a Roof Terrace.

Getting There:

There are multiple tube stations to get here including St Paul’s (Central line) and Mansion House (Circle and District Lines). St Paul’s is a minute walk from One New Change. Once out of St Paul’s Tube Station turn right and stay right until you see two blocks of glass buildings and a bus station opposite.

Best Time To Go:

Anytime of the year is amazing to go, Summer to have cocktails in the sun with friends and winter to capture some amazing sunsets, both a win win!

Entrance Fee:

There is no entrance fee to visit One New Change.

Photo Tip:

Use the glass of the buildings to create a great reflection of St Pauls!

Tip:

Buy the London pass to enjoy access to St Paul’s including the Nave, the Dome, High Altar, Grand Organ and Crypt.

3. Tower Bridge

This is arguably one of Londons most famous Landmarks and instantly recognisable structures in the entire world. It was built with a giant movable roadway that lifts up for passing ships and is to this day considered an engineering marvel.

Getting There:

Tower Bridge has to stations close to it, London Bridge Station, Fenchurch Street National Rail Station, or Tower Gateway DLR station. If you fancy a lovely walk along the Thames, you can also walk from Blackfriars, Cannon Street or City Thameslink Station to Tower Bridge.

You can also access Tower Bridge via the London Underground. Tower Hill station is a seven minute walk from Tower Bridge and can be accessed from the Circle and District Lines. London Bridge Station is also just a short walk away and can also be accessed from the Northern and Jubilee Lines.

There are also plenty of buses that will take you to Tower Bridge.

Bus Routes 15, 42, 78,100, 343

Best Time To Go:

I would say the best time to go is early mornings or late evening to avoid crowds. Sunrise and sunset are ideal times to go so you can capture the beautiful colours in the sky. Night time is also a beautiful time to capture Tower Bridge lit up!

Entrance Fee:

It is free to look at Tower Bridge, however you can go and visit the Towers for a fee. Tower Bridge Tickets offer exploring Tower Bridge’s iconic Walkway, Towers and Engine Rooms.

Photo Tip:

Bring a tripod and ND filters with you if you have them to capture long exposures of the Thames water but also light trails on the bridge itself! Also photographing from The Scoop area is a great composition of Tower Bridge!

Tip:

Buy the London pass if you are planning on adventuring around London and visiting different attractions as this also includes access to Tower Bridge.

Also look at the times when the Bridge lifts up when you are in London because you do not want to miss it! It is Incredible.

4. London Eye

At 135m, The London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel. It has also become the UK’s most popular paid for visitor attraction.

Getting There:

Waterloo Station is the closest tube station to The London Eye and is about a 5 minute walk. Waterloo can be accessed from the Bakerloo line, Jubilee line, Northern line and Waterloo and city line. When exiting the station, follow signs for ‘South Bank’. Embankment, Charing Cross and Westminster are also within easy walking distance from The London Eye.

There are also bus routes that take you to The London Eye; 1, 12, 59, 68, 76, 77, 139, 148, 159, 168, 176, 188, 211, 243, 77 and 381, 507, 521.

Best Time To Go:

At night is a great time to visit The London Eye because it illuminates every night, usually red because it is sponsored by Coca Cola. However, depending on the occasion it may illuminate different colours.

Entrance Fee:

Viewing the London Eye is free, however you can go in one of the pods and enjoy a 360 view of London for a fee.

Photo Tip:

The London Eye is often moving slowly, so if you want to capture the motion use a long exposure (with an ND filter and Tripod if during the day). However, if you want to capture a clean, detailed photo of The London Eye then use a fast shutter speed and an F stop of around 6.7 – 8 and adjust ISO accordingly.

Tip:

Explore around The London Eye as there are great views of it all the way around, especially the other side of the Thames and from Westminster Bridge.

5. Houses of Parliament / Big Ben

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are also arguably one of the most famous landmarks in London. I would say the best spot to take photos of them both is opposite, down the steps off Westminster Bridge. There is also a cute archway that frames the buildings well which you have probably seen on instagram!

Getting There:

Westminster Tube Station is the closest tube station to Westminster and Big Ben. If you come out of the tube station, walk across the bridge to the ‘London Eye’ side and take a right turn down the steps, there is a beautiful view of Westminster and Big Ben.

There are also bus routes that will get you there; 12, 148, 159, 211, 453, N53, N109, N155, and N381.

Best Time To Go:

Sunrise or Sunset I would say would be the best time to photograph. When the sun rises, the sun hits the front of the buildings and when the sun sets it sets behind so you get beautiful colours behind.

Entrance Fee:

There is no entrance fee to view The houses of Parliament or Big Ben from Outside.

Photo Tip:

Take an ND filter because it is an ideal spot to capture a long exposure with silky looking water and beautiful skies!

Tip:

Underneath the steps down from Westminster bridge is a beautiful archway where it frames Westminster and Big Ben beautifully!

6. The Garden at 120