London is filled with postcard-worthy views. As a Londoner and a photographer myself, I’m here to share all the best London photography spots and provide helpful photo tips, such as how to avoid crowds in your shots and capture the most eye-catching pictures.
In this list of the most Instagrammable places in London, you’ll come across lots of unique hidden gems, such as secret gardens, roof terraces, and spectacular buildings in the city centre that have probably never even caught your attention before.
So without further ado, here are the top London Instagram spots you have to visit on your trip to the UK, from the famous must-see sights to the most underrated ones.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can learn more about this in my disclosure policy.
⭐ Top 10 Most Epic London Photography Spots
- 🌹 Hampstead Pergola — One of the best photo spots in London for portraits
- ⛪ Westminster Cathedral — One of the best secret photography spots in London
- 🌿 Sky Garden — One of the top places in London to take pictures at sunset
- 🍹 Madison Roof Terrace — One of the most underrated places in London for photos
- 🏨 St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel — One of the most Instagrammable places in London
- ⛲️ Tower Bridge — One of the best places to take pictures in London in the morning
- 🧁 Belgravia — One of the best London Instagram spots for floral decorations
- 🌈 Notting Hill — One of the best London photo spots for colourful houses
- 🏯 Royal Courts of Justice — One of the best hidden photography spots in London
- 🌉 Millennium Bridge — One of the best photography spots in London to go for a stroll
📸 Recommended Gear for London Photo Spots
This is the gear I use to do photography in London. You can also see my article on the best cameras for bloggers for more options other than the ones listed below.
- Cameras: Nikon D610 + Sony A6400 (check out the best Sony lenses)
- Main lens: Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8
- Wide-angle lens: Tokina AF 16-28mm f/2.8
- Prime lens: Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G
- Tripod: Manfrotto Element Traveller Tripod (Ball Head)
🇬🇧 22 Most Instagrammable Places in London
1. Hampstead Pergola & Hill Garden
The Hampstead Pergola & Hill Garden is not only one of the best places to take photos in London; it’s also one of the city’s most stunning hidden gems. Nestled inside Hampstead Heath — a large green space in the northern part of London — this garden exudes a fairytale vibe and a mysterious allure all at once.
Strolling the pergola is both calming and slightly eerie at the same time; the quiet and serene atmosphere of this place gives it a very mystic vibe. If you visit in the spring or summer, you’ll also come across lots of beautiful vines, wisteria, and blossoming flowers — the perfect backdrop for your photos.
Even without the plants, the simple architecture of the pergola makes a great backdrop for portrait photography, and you can really get creative with all the different angles and perspectives you can find! After your photoshoot, you can relax with a picnic or book in the peaceful green space right outside the garden.
📸 Photography Tip: This is one of the best London photo spots for portrait photography as you get some really cool backdrops with the architecture and plants in this complex. I recommend bringing a good prime lens for portraits, such as the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G.
☀️ Best time to visit: On weekdays for the least amount of people. During the spring and summer for wisteria and colorful blossoms, although this place is equally beautiful when covered in autumn leaves or winter snow!
🗺️ Address: The Pergola, Inverforth Cl, London NW3 7EX 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Hampstead Station (in Zones 2+3 on the Northern line) and then walk for 15 mins
2. Westminster Cathedral — One of the Best Secret Photography Spots in London
If you’re looking for good places to take pictures in London and want to avoid tourists at the same time, then head over to the beautiful Westminster Cathedral. This beautiful building is surprisingly unknown to most tourists despite its proximity to popular attractions.
This cathedral is only a 10-minute walk from the famous Westminster Abbey. It is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, and its architecture is absolutely breathtaking. After snapping photos of its charming exterior, don’t forget to step inside to see its Neo-Byzantine mosaics.
☀️ Best time to visit: Although mornings are always better for photography (soft lighting and the least amount of crowds), this place is quite empty even during the day. I would check mass times before visiting as that’s when more people will show up.
🗺️ Address: Victoria St, Westminster, London SW1P 1LT 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Victoria Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle, District, and Victoria lines) and then walk for 5 mins
3. Sky Garden
If you’re looking for sunset Instagram places, London gives you Sky Garden — a fancy public garden and bar that offers a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the city, especially when the sun puts on a show. Located on the 37th floor of the Walkie Talkie building, this unique bar will take your breath away from the moment you walk in.
Its large glass windows go from floor to ceiling, revealing a spectacular view of the London skyline. As you stroll around, you’ll feel as though you’re not even in London anymore; covered with lush, exotic plants, this place has a complete different vibe from the rest of the city.
Explore the entire garden to soak up and capture the city view from different angles. Then, you can relax with a drink on one of the many lounge chairs around (be warned, though — prices are steep here).
While visiting right before sunset will allow you to capture the best colours of the sky, it’s also a good idea to come back late at night to get a fancy/high-end clubbing experience. That’s right, there will be a DJ, and one thing is for sure — dancing to a spectacular aerial view of London is an experience you won’t forget!
🎫 Top Tip: Entrance to the Sky Garden is free, but there are limited spots available per day, so you must book your visit before you go. Be sure to reserve your timeslot 2-3 weeks in advance as tickets tend to get snatched up really quickly! If you don’t have a reserved ticket, you can enter only after 6 pm on weekdays and 9 pm on weekends after queuing.
🗺️ Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Monument Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 3 mins
4. Tower Bridge
One cannot talk about London photography spots without mentioning Tower Bridge, one of the most famous landmarks in the city. As you can imagine, this place is practically always tourist-packed. However, there’s a trick to getting good crowd-less shots here: arrive early in the morning, as soon as the sun rises!
Most tourists are still in bed at that time, and you’ll see just a few bikers on the bridge itself. Plus, it’s quite a special experience to have London’s most iconic monument all to yourself for a little bit! For convenience, you can simply stay in this area, which is home to some of the best UK Airbnbs.
📸 Photography Tip: The best angles to take photos of Tower Bridge are: on the bridge itself, by the Girl with a Dolphin Fountain near the northern entrance of the bridge, and right in front of Potter Fields Park on the walkway by the Thames (the exact spot is here).
🗺️ Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Tower Hill Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 8 mins
5. Madison Roof Terrace (One New Change)
St. Paul’s Cathedral is definitely one of the most beautiful places in London, which is why it’s also typically filled with tourists. The good news, though, is that right next to the cathedral, there’s a shopping mall called One New Change, and it has an incredible secret viewpoint.
If you go up to the 6th floor of the mall, you’ll reach the restaurant Madison. Simply walk through the restaurant to get to its roof terrace — one of the most photogenic places in London. Grab a drink there while watching the sun set over London’s skyline, and enjoy a surreal close-up view of St. Paul’s Cathedral without the crowds!
If you visit sometime in the afternoon on a weekday, it’s likely this place will be almost empty as well. Even during sunset, we didn’t see too many people around. The opening hours of the Madison restaurant & rooftop are 12 pm to 11 pm daily, so keep this in mind and don’t miss out on this amazing secret Instagram spot in London!
🗺️ Address: New Change, London EC4M 9AF 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to either Mansion House Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 2 mins or to St. Paul's Station (in Zone 1 on the Central line) and then walk for 4 mins
6. St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel — One of the Most Epic Photoshoot Locations in London
The splendid St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in London. Its detailed interior design is absolutely jaw-dropping, and strolling on the beautiful main staircase leading to the guest rooms feels like walking inside a fairytale.
The iconic staircase in this hotel was made extra wide so that women could pass by each other in their large bustle dresses back in the day. It’s also where the Spice Girls filmed their ‘Wannabe’ music video! You can find tons of creative angles to shoot from here, so take your time and most of all — don’t forget to soak up the surreal beauty of this place!
📸 Important note: Only hotel guests are allowed to take photos here, and they’re very strict about it. The location of this hotel is as central as it gets, and it’s definitely one of the best places to stay in London. The King’s Cross & St Pancras International station is literally right next door, and it’s the most well-connected station in the city.
Aside from getting to take photos of its breathtaking interiors, there’s another advantage to staying in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. If you have an early morning train to catch, you can take an elevator directly from the hotel corridors and end up right next to the Eurostar platforms in the King’s Cross St. Pancras International Station.
If you’re connecting to other UK cities or European countries after your trip to London, it just doesn’t get more convenient than that!
🗺️ Address: Euston Rd, Kings Cross, London NW1 2AR 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to King's Cross Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines) — it's literally right next to the station
7. St. Dunstan in the East
Another one of the top Instagram spots in London that’s not very known by tourists is St. Dunstan in the East. This peaceful and serene garden isn’t just photogenic – it’s also a great place to relax with a book or to sit down and catch up with a friend.
St. Dunstan in the East used to be a church back in the days, but it was unfortunately destroyed during WWII. Its ruins have since been turned into a public garden, which is especially photo-worthy in the fall when the leaves turn orange. Explore every corner of this small garden to find different creative angles to shoot and to soak up the quiet atmosphere.
Because not many people visit this hidden gem, there’s quite a mystic and eerie vibe here as well, which is pretty cool. If you’re into portrait photography, you’ll find great backdrops here for colourful bokeh. This garden is open from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
🗺️ Address: St. Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Monument Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 4 mins
8. Leadenhall Market
Situated in London’s financial centre, the beautiful Victorian Leadenhall Market is home to numerous boutique shops, restaurants, and pubs. Walking around, you’ll see stalls selling everything from cheese and fresh meat to flowers.
This market was also the filming spot for the Diagon Alley scenes in two Harry Potter films! There’s a wonderfully fun and lively atmosphere in this market, which is a great contrast to the serious suits-and-ties vibe of the rest of the neighbourhood. If you’re in London during the Christmas season, you’ll also see some amazing festive decorations here.
📸 Photography Tip: To get photos of this place without the crowds, visit on the weekend or during non-working hours on weekdays. Avoid visiting around lunchtime on weekdays especially, as that’s when this place is swamped with locals working in the area.
🗺️ Address: Gracechurch St, Langbourn, London EC3V 1LT 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to either Bank Station (in Zone 1 on the Central, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines and the DLR) and then walk for 4 mins or to Monument Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 4 mins
9. Lancaster Road (Notting Hill)
You’ve most probably heard of Notting Hill from the popular movie that shares its name, but that’s not the only thing this area is famous for: it’s undoubtedly also one of the best Instagram places in London.
Rows and rows of vibrant Victorian townhouses decorate this lively neighbourhood, which is also home to lots of markets, restaurants, and the popular Notting Hill Carnival — the biggest street festival in Europe. Don’t miss all the cool cafes in Notting Hill, either.
The most colourful part of Notting Hill is a specific section of Lancaster Road (click here for the exact location). There, you’ll see a stunning row of houses painted in purple, yellow, red, and green all standing next to each other. It definitely gives off rainbow vibes!
💜 Please be respectful when taking pictures in Notting Hill. This is a residential area so please don’t create any disruptions for the locals living here. 💜
🗺️ Address: 30a Lancaster Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 1HE 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Ladbroke Grove Station (in Zone 2 on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines) and then walk for 6 mins
10. St. Lukes Mews (Notting Hill)
Right next to the colourful buildings of Lancaster Road (mentioned above) is St. Lukes Mews — a small alley with more charming pastel-colored houses. Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, the houses here used to be stables for horses. Nowadays, they’re residential flats that make the perfect London picture spots.
The most photogenic house here is definitely the famous “pink house” pictured above. It was actually a filming set for the movie ‘Love Actually’, too. Don’t forget to walk around and see the other colourful houses in this mews as well!
💌 Quick note: There’s a donation box right in front of the pink house — if you want to take a photo there, please show some support for the residents of the flat as they get a lot of tourists showing up at their doorstep!
🗺️ Address: St. Lukes Mews, Notting Hill, London W11 🚶🏽 How to get there: 1-minute walk from 30a Lancaster Rd (photo spot #9)
11. Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is a beautiful botanic garden located about an hour from central London by tube. While it’s a bit out of the way, it’s totally worth the trip because it houses some of the most diverse botanical collections in the world, and it’s also an incredibly photogenic place.
The most Instagram-worthy spot in the garden is undoubtedly the Palm House — a serene indoor rainforest with lots of tropical plants, many of which are endangered in the wild or extinct. There’s a beautiful white staircase rising between the plants there, and you can climb it for a great view of the rainforest as well as a cool photo op!
There are lots of other exciting things to do inside Kew Gardens as well. Explore the Arboretum, which houses an impressive collection of 14,000 trees. Then, wander through the mesmerizing beehive installation and the many art galleries and museums in this garden.
🎫 Important note: You must book your visit online before going. Otherwise, you won’t be let in. A ticket for adults costs £13.40 ($18.16 USD).
🕓 Opening hours: Please check this website for real-time info
🗺️ Address: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Kew Gardens Station (in Zone 3+4 on the District line and London Overground) and then walk for 5 mins
12. Belgravia
Belgravia is one of the best places to take Instagram photos in London if you’re into flowers and floral decorations. In fact, this neighborhood is filled with chic cafes and boutique shops that put tons of effort into making their facades as Instagrammable as possible.
Among the most photogenic spots in this area is Peggy Porschen, one of the most famous cafes in London that changes its creatively stunning facade every season. Not far from it is Les Senteurs, a perfume store with a winning floral display in front of it.
While the stores mentioned above are the most photo-worthy places in Belgravia, don’t forget to take a walk around the area as you’ll find many other stores with beautiful decorations too, such as Saint Aymes and Dominique Ansel. Please be respectful when taking pictures in front of these stores so that it’s not disrupting to their business. ❤️
🧁 Top Tip: Get to Peggy Porschen before 9 am to avoid having to line up for a photo. This place is very popular among tourists and Instagrammers!
🗺️ Address: 116 Ebury St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9QQ 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Sloane Square Station (in Zone 1 on the District and Circle lines) and then walk for 8 mins
13. Regent Street & Soho
Regent St. and Soho are super touristy, but the key to getting good shots in these places is to visit them early in the morning when most people are still waking up.
This is especially true if you want to take pictures around the cute streets of Soho, where you can find Instagrammable pubs such as The Blue Posts pictured on the right (click here for the exact location).
Regent St. is also a great place to catch fantastic Christmas light decorations if you’re around during the festive season; the picture on the left was taken right across Hamley’s (click here for the exact location).
🗺️ Address: Regent Street, London, W1B 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Oxford Circus Station (in Zone 1 on the Central, Bakerloo, and Victoria lines) and take the Regent St. exit
14. Liberty London (Soho)
Before you leave Soho, make sure to stop by Liberty London, a luxury department store that sells everything from clothes and accessories to beauty products and gifts. Even if you’re not into shopping, the exterior facade of this building is quite unique and photogenic!
To take the best photos here, arrive early in the morning when traffic on the road is low and few people are around. The mall itself is also worth checking out — it’s a great place to shop for gifts for loved ones.
🐟 Food Tip: If you’re a fan of the Hawaiian dish poke, Island Poke is one of the best places to taste this delicacy in London, and it’s just a 2-minute walk from Liberty London.
🗺️ Address: Regent St, Soho, London W1B 5AH 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Oxford Circus Station (in Zone 1 on the Central, Bakerloo, and Victoria lines) and then walk for 2 mins
15. Royal Courts of Justice — One of the Best Secret London Instagram Spots
The Royal Courts of Justice is hands down one of the best London photography spots because the area surrounding it is practically empty and devoid of people. In fact, most people wouldn’t even think of this place as a photo spot. Nevertheless, this building’s Victorian Gothic architecture is simply stunning.
Built in the 1870s, the Royal Courts of Justice houses the High Court and Court of Appeal of England & Wales. It’s also one of the largest courts in Europe. It’s located right on the Strand (a large road running from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar), which is a great place to take a relaxing stroll.
📸 Photography note: This place doesn’t really get crowded no matter when you visit, so you’ll find it easy to take photos here at any time of the day. I took my photos without any obstacles in the late afternoon, right before sunset.
🗺️ Address: Strand, Holborn, London WC2A 2LL 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Temple Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 5 mins
16. Primrose Hill
If you’re into colourful houses, then the quiet Primrose Hill neighborhood is a very good alternative to the crowded and touristy Notting Hill.
There are two particularly good London Instagram locations in this area: Chalcot Crescent and Chalcot Square. Both of them are lined with charming and colourful buildings, and both places are quite empty during the day.
In fact, this is a residential area, so please be mindful of the locals living here when taking photos. After shooting, you can also climb up Primrose Hill park to relax on the grass or watch the sky put on a fantastic show at sunset.
📸 Photography Tip: I recommend getting here an hour or so before the sun sets. You’ll get great golden hour lighting for your photos with the buildings, and can then climb up Primrose Hill park just in time to watch sunset (which could also be a cool photo op!).
🗺️ Address: Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Chalk Farm Station (in Zone 2 on the Northern line) and then walk for 6 mins
17. Millennium Bridge
Being one of the most Instagrammable places in London, the famous Millennium Bridge offers a magnificent view of St. Paul’s Cathedral as well as plenty of postcard-worthy angles.
On the opposite side of the bridge from the cathedral, you’ll also find lots of art and cultural hubs such as the Tate Modern art museum and the famous Shakespeare’s Globe. You can play with lots of different angles and perspectives when shooting on this bridge, so get creative, take your time, and enjoy the scenic stroll!
📸 Photography Tip: As you can imagine, this bridge gets extremely crowded during the day. I highly recommend getting there early in the morning (between 7 to 8 am) to get the best shots without anyone around.
🗺️ Address: Thames Embankment, London SE1 9JE 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Blackfriars Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle and District lines) and then walk for 5 mins
18. Kynance Mews & Southwell Gardens
Nestled in the charming South Kensington neighbourhood, Kynance Mews is another one of the best places in London for photography. It is especially pretty during the fall when red leaves decorate the arches and houses in the mews. In fact, Kynance Mews is one of the coolest places to see autumn colors in London!
I suggest not only admiring all the cute buildings of the mews but also exploring South Kensington itself because this neighbourhood is very stunning in general. The photo at the bottom left, for example, was taken in Southwell Gardens, right around the corner from Kynance Mews.
📸 Photography note: Both Kynance Mews and Southwell Gardens are usually not crowded (especially the latter), so you can easily take photos here at any time of the day (although mornings always work best for lighting). This is a residential area so please be respectful to the locals who live here when taking pictures.
🗺️ Address: Kynance Mews, South Kensington, London SW7 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Gloucester Road Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines) and then walk for 6 mins
19. Natural History Museum
A visit to South Kensington would not be complete without a stop at the majestic Natural History Museum, which is not just an awesome Instagram place in London, but also one of the best free museums in London.
Not only is this museum really photogenic from both the outside and the inside; it also houses tons of interesting exhibitions showcasing dinosaurs, volcanoes, and earth’s most fascinating treasures (to name a few).
If I had to recommend only one exhibition though, it would have to be the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. The photography showcased there are some of the best wildlife shots out there, and the stories behind them are very insightful and educational.
🕓 Opening hours: Click here to check real-time info
🎫 Entrance fees: Free! (To see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, you have to buy tickets in advance though)
🗺️ Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to South Kensington Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines) and then walk for 4 mins
20. Kelly Street (Kentish Town)
If you’re looking to explore some more hidden gems in London, then definitely head over to Kentish Town. This neighbourhood is home to a great music scene, lots of cool pubs, and some of the prettiest houses in the city.
In fact, the colourful Kelly Street boasts a gorgeous row of pink, blue, yellow, purple, and red houses. Walking there feels like stepping into a big Starburst candy land! 🍭
Despite it being one of the best Instagram spots in London, Kelly Street is practically free of tourists and crowds, so it’s an amazing hidden place to visit if you want to relax in a quiet spot before hopping over to some of the nearby pubs.
🗺️ Address: Kelly St, Kentish Town, London NW1 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Kentish Town Station (in Zone 2 on the Northern line) and then walk for 7 mins
21. Covent Garden
Covent Garden is home to a bustling food market as well as some of the top Instagram places in London. There are two spots in this neighborhood that are particularly photo-worthy.
The Infinity Chamber (pictured on the left) houses thousands of LED lights that change colors throughout the year (from bright white to rainbow). It provides the perfect color therapy and is open 24/7!
A 5-min walk from there is Neal’s Yard (pictured on the right) — a colorful courtyard home to several bakeries, coffee shops, and boutique stores. Aside from being very photogenic, the vibe there is also really friendly and chill.
📸 Photography Tip: Both of these spots can get very crowded during the day, especially Neal’s Yard. I recommend getting to both places early in the morning. You can also grab a delicious coffee at Neal’s Yard after you’re done with the photos!
🗺️ Address: Conduit Ct, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9LD 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Covent Garden Station (in Zone 1 on the Piccadilly line) and then walk for 2 mins
22. Victoria Embankment
It’s impossible to talk about London scenic spots without mentioning Victoria Embankment, which offers one of the best viewpoints of the famous London Eye (click here for the exact spot to shoot it from).
From this road, you can get a clear view of the London Eye and the Thames without too many people around, and it’s also a great place to play with framing and creativity!
Once you’re done, you can also take a panoramic walk to the nearby Westminster Bridge to get some cool shots of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.
🗺️ Address: A3211, Westminster, London SW1H 🚇 How to get there: Take the tube to Westminster Station (in Zone 1 on the Circle, District, and Jubilee lines) and then walk for 1 min
🗺️ Map of These Instagram Places in London
Here’s a map of the best places to photograph in London, including all the spots and activities mentioned in this guide. You can click here to see it in full on Google Maps.
🙌🏼 Top Tips for Doing Photography in London
Now that you have a great list of London’s beautiful places for pictures, here are some additional tips to help you get the best London Instagram photos.
☀️ Wake Up Early to Beat the Crowd
As you know, London is one of the most touristy cities in Europe. In fact, the popular photo locations in London are almost always super busy during the day. This can make it challenging to get clean, aesthetic shots.
If you get to these spots in the early morning (such as during sunrise), though, you’ll have these London Instagram places pretty much all to yourself.
Plus, the lighting in the morning is a lot better for photography than during the day, anyway! Shooting in broad daylight is likely going to get you some strong shadows in your photos.
✨ Take Advantage of the Golden Hour Glow
The best times for taking photos in general are in the early morning and right before sunset, when the lighting is soft, beautiful, and has a golden glow to it. This is an amazing time to shoot portraits especially, as you can create a dreamy/glowy backdrop for your subject.
I highly recommend getting to your favorite photography locations in London right before sunset to capture the best lighting of the day!
👮🏻♀️ Watch Out for the Tripod Police
Generally speaking, you can use your tripod in many of the photographic locations in London. However, there are some areas in the city — such as around the Thames — that are actually privately owned or home to high-security buildings. Tripods are banned in those areas, and you might get caught on CCTV if you try to use one.
You should therefore research your chosen location well before going there if you plan to shoot with a tripod. Mostly, check whether the space is public or private.
🌧 Play With the White Balance Settings
We all know that London is famous for its grey skies, so I recommend playing with the white balance settings on your camera to achieve warmer tones and more accurate colors.
Start with the ‘Cloudy’ preset and see how much you like it. Don’t forget to experiment with the other presets too to find the one that best suits the sky tone of the day!
Alternatively, you can also easily adjust the white balance in your shots with Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.
🌈 Wear Bright Colors to Balance the Dark Weather
This one is quite self-explanatory. Even when the skies aren’t grey, bright colors will help you stand out in a photo and add a splash of colours and joyful vibes, so why not? 🙂
🏡 Get Lost in the Mews
One unique thing about London is that it is filled with historical mews — narrow alleys decorated with charming rows of houses that used to serve as stables for horses back in the 17th century.
Today, many of these mews are very photogenic, and getting lost in them might just help you find some more nice places to take pictures in London. Just keep in mind that most of the houses in these mews are residential properties, so please be respectful to the people living in these areas when taking photos.
Aside from St. Luke’s Mews and Kynance Mews mentioned in this guide, be sure to also check out Warren Mews, Cresswell Place Mews, Stanhope Mews South, and Holland Park Mews. There are many hidden and secluded Instagram-worthy places in London; you just have to keep wandering!
🚦 Don’t Forget Street Photography
London is a melting pot of cultures and styles; walking around town, you’ll come across tons of interesting people and fashion styles. That makes many of London’s photography locations the perfect places to experiment with street photography.
You’ll especially enjoy street photography in Shoreditch, the hipster part of town! Barbican, with its very interesting architecture, is another great neighborhood for street photography and photography in general.
✈️ Planning Your Trip to These London Instagram Spots
- ✈️ Find the best flights to London with Skyscanner
- 💸 Get reliable travel insurance from Heymondo
- 🚖 Book your private transfer from the airport with Expedia or Get Your Guide
- 🏨 Find the best accommodations on Booking.com
- 🚇 Get the best train tickets deals on Trainline for day trips from London
- 🎒 Pack an anti-theft backpack, a universal adapter, and a power bank
🌤 Last Thoughts on These Best Places to Take Pictures in London
I hope this guide has not only helped you find some really good places in London to take photos, but that you’ve also gained some useful tips to make your photography adventures here more enjoyable!
You can find more photography inspirations for London and other places around the world on my Instagram page. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I’ll try my best to help you!
🇬🇧 I hope this guide on the most Instagrammable places in London was helpful!
For further reading on other UK destinations, discover:
🚊 30+ Epic London Weekend Trips
🏡 18 Best Cotswolds Villages
⛰ Malvern Hills Walks: Best Walking Routes
⛵️ 18 Incredible Things To Do in Plockton, Scotland
🏞 24 Epic Things to Do on the Isle of Skye
🚗 How to Get to the Isle of Skye
For more photography & travel inspiration, discover:
📸 Best Cameras for Bloggers
🚗 10 Days in Europe: 25+ Epic Itineraries
🚊 3 Weeks in Europe: 15 Perfect Itineraries
🌏 Top 32 Dream Destinations to Visit
Pin These Photography Spots in London for Later
Yup London is gorgeous. I’ve been living here for ages and it’s the first time I have heard about some of the places you have mentioned like the Westminster Cathedral. How come I have never such a beautiful piece of architecture?
Haha yes Westminster Cathedral is a true hidden gem! I’m surprised it’s not more well-known!
This is just incredible Post, London has most beautiful architecture and my favorite is westminster abbey and its cathedral. I love your photography so much. I had seen many on social media, but you shared many other unique places of Lonadon.
Aw thank you so much for the kind words, Mayuri! It means a lot 🙂
These spots are so gorgeous! Your photos are amazing! I hope to visit London one day.
Thank you Patti! 🙂
London has so many beautiful spots and I so badly wanna visit this year.
Hope you’ll get to visit soon!
Wow these are some great spots! And photos of course 😉 Looks like I need to take my camera to London, whenever we have the chance again to explore the world again.
Thank you Cecilie! 🙂 Can’t wait till things are normal again!
Wow! Great pics and some beautiful spots in London. I’ve been to London once and wasn’t overly impressed. I prefer Paris. But now, as a photographer, I want to go back and find some of these places. Great post!!
Thanks Lynne! I’d pick Paris over London any day haha. But I live here so it’s been easy to find more hidden photography spots! 🙂
Man, I wish I had this post when we visited London. I would love to have visited some of these places! I’ll save it for next time 😉
Aw yes, next time! 🙂 Thanks Michelle!
Oh gosh your photos are so beautiful! I’ve only visited London pre-IG times so I would love to go back and create some content like yours 🙂
Your content is stunning too, lovely! Can’t wait to see your London photos in the future 🙂
So many beautiful photos!!! Can’t wait to revisit London one day!
Thanks Charlotte! Yes, come visit! 🙂
Oh my gosh! I love all of these recommendations, so many beautiful locations! Hoping to visit London one day. Looking forward to the gardens and Belgravia the most.
Thanks for reading, Destiny! Belgravia is the perfect place to relax in, I’m sure you’ll love it! 🙂
There are still a few I didn’t do! A good reason to visit London again! Thank yo u for sharing Jiayi!
Yes come visit again and we can hang out! 🙂
These photos are beautiful! Definitely makes me want to get back to London soon! Gorgeous!
Thank you so much Lia! 🙂
These photos are so beautiful Jiayi and make me miss living in London so much!
Aw thank you Charu! Didn’t know you lived here too!
Love love love it! I don’t know how as a Londoner I have never been to westminster cathedral but that is now on my list, great shots as always
Thank you Roshni! I discovered that cathedral purely by accident, looking out the window of a bus ride! It’s so hidden haha
I like that most of these places are away from the tourist hot spots.
Yes, so many hidden gems in this city! 🙂
Beautiful photos! I wish I had this list when I studied abroad in London 6 years ago – though I did make it to the gorgeous garden in Hampstead Heath 🙂
Thanks Olivia! Yes, that garden is precious 🙂
How I miss London! There’s still plenty of places I haven’t seen yet, can’t wait to visit again! Thank you for sharing Jiayi!
Yes dear, come visit again in the future! 🙂
Love all your photos! The ones taken at Notting Hill look so cute. I’ve been to London twice but still don’t know some of these places. Need to come back again soon!
Thank you Fiona! Yes, lots of hidden gems here! 🙂
I love how diverse London is (good and bad) – this is all unrecognisable from the suburb I lived, giving me a real chance to go back and explore one day.
I hope you’ll get to revisit one day!
Gahh your photos are stunning!! How can you make London look so gorgeous haha?! I was born in London and lived there for a number of years as an adult but I realise I actually havent visited a few of these places too.. It’ll have to be when I’m next in the country hah 🙂
Thank you so much Tam! 🙂 Yes, too many hidden gems in this city haha
Wow, I am in love with your photography style. There is a crispness and texture to your photos that I don’t often see. London is a masterpiece through your eyes. My favourite shot is the one looking down at that hotel staircase.
Thank you so much Rhonda! That means a lot! <3
What gorgeous pictures! Makes me want to book my flights to London for when things get better!
Aw thank you Merryl! 🙂
I love London so much! These are some great spots to take pictures. I love the millenium bridge. have a trip booked for July so hopefully, I will get to go!
I hope you’ll get to go indeed! So many great hidden gems here! 🙂
Love London so much and this just makes me so excited for when I get to go visit again one day! Beautiful photos!
Aw thank you Kelly! I’m happy you enjoyed it! Definitely visit again, there are too many hidden gems here! 🙂
I totally love your photos! SO so gorgeous. I lived in London for a year but I don’t think I’ve been to a lot of these….something to bookmark for my next visit!
Thank you so much Lily! London is definitely worth visiting again! 🙂
Wow! I mean… really wow! Now I really can’t wait for the lockdown to end, so I can travel up to London for a day!!! So many places I’ve never been to yet!
I’m sure you’ll discover some amazing things here! 🙂
I wish I had this guide ready for all the times I’ve been to London..! =,D I,ve been there quite a few times, and basically didn’t know about most of those places… Maybe because I was not yet in the photos/IG “circuit” so I was more for visiting main areas than for photo spots scouting…! =’D I only know that one day I went on purpose to Nothing Hill to find those famous colorful houses, but I had to leave without even finding them…! :/
Next time in London I’ll go to some of this places, and if it’s gonna be with you, it’s gonna be even better! 😉
Haha I was wandering down a road once and spotted Westminster Cathedral (cause it’s kind of tucked away, isn’t it?), and I was like WHAT?! Why does nobody ever post about this? I love love LOVE the look of that hotel too! Would never have twigged that it was the Wannabe hotel lol. So many beautiful places! I still need to get to the Sky Garden as well.
What a gorgeous post! And as a London blogger myself I have to say that you showed me some places in London I never knew of before (she admits in shame ha ha)! I especially love the Westminster Cathedral but how did I not know of it before?!? 😉 Thanks for the inspiration and new information!
Aw thanks so much Zarina! 🙂 Haha yes, I literally only found out about Westminster Cathedral cause a bus I was on happened to pass by it. It’s so hidden! 😉 There are always so many cool places to discover in this city right? 🙂
Amazing photos! 😍 Who takes the photos that have you in them? Do you use a timer, or is someone else taking those? ♡ I’m hoping to go overseas soon, but I’ll be the only adult traveller, so am wondering!
Thank you! 🙂 It’s a mixture of asking my friends/partner to help for some photos and others where I used a tripod! If you’re going alone, I’d suggest bringing a tripod and shooting in the morning when it’s safest. Some of the areas on this list are super safe, like Belgravia, South Kensington (Kynance Mews), Kentish Town, Primrose Hill etc. Any other questions just lemme know 🙂
What a beautiful post! And as a London blogger myself, I must admit that you introduced me to locations in London that I was previously unaware of (she admits with shame, ha)! How did I not know about Westminster Abbey earlier? Thanks for the fresh ideas and information!
Absolutely loved this list! I can’t wait to explore these hidden gems in London. The map will make it so much easier to plan my Instagram adventure. Thank you for sharing these fantastic spots!
What a fantastic list! Planning another big trip to the UK, especially London, in a couple of years, and this has given me lots more ideas to my ever growing list!
Lindsay / The Travel Vine