London is a picturesque city that you can’t help but photograph. You could stay for months and not run out of things to do and see. So, rather than tackle the endless tourist activities, we will mention some of the most Instagrammable places in London.
Neal’s Yard
Neal’s Yard is tucked away in a corner of Covent Garden – a not-so-secret gem full of brightly-coloured buildings and alternative shops that stands in stark contrast to its surroundings.
Visit today and you find vegan cafes, handmade trinkets, and the famous Neal’s Yard Remedies.
All the businesses here emphasise the importance of environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices – which explains why it’s not the normal jumble of familiar branded shops.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve waltzed into a London movie for the day.
It is regarded as one of the most beautiful viewpoints in North London. Not just because of its almost 360° degree viewpoint over the city of because of the scale of panorama it offers, But because when you find yourself at its summit it’s a view that takes the “Urban-ness” out of London. For although London has become more developed, Primrose Hill, set in the middle of its park grounds, preserves itself as a capsule of London 100 years ago. A quaint village-area dotted with telephone booths, pastel-coloured flats, Victorian architecture, and stunning views of the city.
Shoreditch
Cool, creative and with a twist of grit, Shoreditch is one of London’s hippest neighbourhoods. It’s also an urban exhibition of street art, featuring pieces from some of the biggest names such as Banksy. The street art in Shoreditch is some of the best in the world. The Brick Lane Street art is a real highlight of the area with countless murals and works of graffiti art in a condensed space.
Peggy Porschen
Peggy Porschen is a café famous for its pink exterior and floral decorations that quickly shot to fame because of social media. Many consider it to be the most Instagrammable restaurant in London.
This place is pretty as a picture. It’s also alluringly. Each weekend, an army of Instagrammers and lifestyle bloggers descend on Ebury Street, drawn in by the pastel pink decor, the floral patterns, and the picturesque frontispiece.
Peggy Porschen’s website describes their cakes as “edible works of art”. The bakery’s fans include Madonna, Elton John, and Kate Moss, and the cakes have won rave reviews from the likes of Vogue and Vanity Fair. There’s only one downside: you’ll be paying Belgravia prices for a taste, with cupcakes beginning at £5 each.
Churchill Arms
The Churchill Arms pub has to be one of London’s most famous (and colourful!) pubs, mainly due to the exterior being festooned with flowers during the summer and a cacophony of Christmas trees in the winter months.
The outside is decorated with over 100 flowerpots, 48 window boxes, and 42 hanging baskets – it’s believed that the pub spends around £25,000 a year on decorating this eye-catching pub.
The Churchill Arms pub dates to 1750 and its name derives from the fact that in the 1800s, Sir Winston Churchill’s grandparents were regular drinkers here (the pub was renamed to its current title after WWII).
Notting Hill
Notting Hill in west London is one of the capital’s most desirable and Instagrammable areas, with iconic pastel-coloured houses and a thriving market.
You can find everything from world-famous events and restaurants to cutting-edge theatres in Notting Hill. Attracting millions of visitors every year to its rainbow-coloured houses, enviable gardens and boho vibe, Notting Hill is the perfect place to spend a weekend. Whether you’re into shopping, eating, cinema or just people-watching, it’s a great bit of London to lose a few hours.
Spotting the pastel houses of the best things to do near Portobello Road, so that’s usually the starting spot for seeking them out.
Other roads including Lancaster Road, Clarendon Road, and Westbourne Grove, also offer up plenty of pastel-y goodness.
Sky Garden
With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, this leafy indoor garden provides fantastic views of the iconic London skyline. Stroll through the lush landscaped gardens before making your way to the observation decks and open-air terrace.
Fancy a drink or a bite to eat? Try one of the Sky Garden restaurants and bars for modern British fare and swanky cocktails.
Sunrise yoga, live music sessions and other activities are also available. However, you must book before 8pm, but it is free of charge.
The Barbican Conservatory
The Barbican Conservatory is one of London’s hidden gems, a giant botanical garden in the middle of the sprawling Barbican complex. It’s time to explore.
The Barbican garden is also unique as it is the second largest London conservatory after the Princess of Wales Conservatory in Kew Gardens. Look carefully and you can see over 2,000 species of plants ensconced within its walls.
Most of these are of the tropical variety. Think palm trees and banana plants – you might even forget you’re in London for a moment – until you catch a glimpse of the city’s skyline peeking out behind the glass.
St Dunstan’s in the East Church
St Dunstan’s stands testimony to the devastation of World War II when it was bombed.
Today, this ruined church has been overrun by plants and is now an enchanting public park.
Trees grow through windows and vines wind themselves around walls of St Dunstan in the East, whilst palm trees make for positively tropical addition. All in all, it’s a gorgeously green spot when the sun shines.
St Dunstan in the East church garden is an oasis from all the hustle and bustle. It’s also a testament to London’s history and a unique piece of London. Where else would you get to take your photos complete with the aged ruins of a Grade I listed building poking out of the greenery behind you?
Kew Gardens
One of Britain’s finest gardens and a world heritage site is situated close to the centre of London. Kew Gardens is the world’s largest collection of living plants.
Kew Gardens is a terrific antidote to the pavement of London. It is large enough to provide leg-stretching walks through the Arboretum and around the lakes. There are plenty of themed gardens for inspiration. Shelter from inclement weather can be found in the numerous greenhouses, cafes and restaurants, and museums and art galleries.
Kew is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the London area and can, therefore, be extremely crowded during the summer months, particularly on summer weekends.
The gardens have a rather complex system of entrance fees, depending on which attractions you want to visit. For more information visit Kew Gardens Website.
Let us know in the comments which is your favourite or if we missed any place insta-worthy.