By Expedia Team, on September 28, 2016

The Best Places to Instagram in London

sketch

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

London is the kind of city that just begs to be photographed. From the famous spots like Big Ben and the British Museum to the lesser-known spots like the mews of Notting Hill and the street art in Shoreditch, there are fantastic photography opportunities all over the city. If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable places on city breaks to London, you’re in luck; our London insider Victoria from Bridges and Balloons has you covered.

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Here, then, are the best places in London for Instagram-worthy photos.

big-ben

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###Big Ben

While Tower Bridge is the most photographed landmark in London, Big Ben is close behind, and it’s easy to see why. From any angle, Big Ben – the nickname for the bell inside the clock, though the name is usually used in reference to the whole tower – is wonderful to photograph. The best times to photograph Big Ben are in the early morning, when there are fewer tourists, and at sunset, when you can experiment with angles and light. Take a tip from Victoria and walk along the Thames on the opposing side to find some unique angles of the iconic structure.

stpauls

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###St. Paul’s Cathedral

An absolutely beautiful building, and one that stands out in the city skyline, St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the best places to photograph for Instagram in London. While a Cathedral has sat on this spot for over 1,400 years in dedication to St. Paul, the current structure, built between 1675 and 1710, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Although it’s lovely to shoot from any angle, one of the best angles to photograph St. Paul’s from is from across the Thames, standing on or just near Millennium Bridge (where you can often find a man blowing bubbles, too). It should definitely make every list of top Instagram spots of London.

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As it goes with street art, this mural has already been replaced by another, and no longer exists! (photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###Street Art in Shoreditch

Shoreditch has grown in popularity in the past two decades; with its hip cafés, excellent nightlife, and weekly Brick Lane market, it draws a wonderful mix of artists and creative individuals. It makes sense, then, that the area would be filled with innovative and thought-provoking street art. While some installations are permanent, the street art in Shoreditch often changes, sometimes even weekly. Make sure to look for famous artists like Stik, ROA, Eine, and others, whose work is highly respected in the community. The street art in Shoreditch is definitely one of the best places for taking photos for Instagram. The vibrant colours are almost reminiscent of sun-kissed holidays to Brazil and the fantastic street art in Rio de Janeiro.

st-lukes-mews

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###Painted Houses in West London

The architecture in London can vary wildly, but some of the most photographed houses in the city are surely in West London, often near Notting Hill. Here you’ll find brightly painted houses down both the larger residential streets as well as the smaller, more secluded streets, often called mews. The best mews to photograph for Instagram? Start with St. Luke’s Mews (nearest tube stop Notting Hill Gate) or Warren Mews (nearest tube stop Great Portland Street), and wander from there. You’ll find some of London’s most Instagrammable streets around every corner.

churchill-arms

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###The Churchill Arms

Perhaps one of the most famous pubs in London, The Churchill Arms certainly knows how to turn heads. Found in Kensington, this pub is definitely one of the most photographed spots for Instagram in London, and it’s easy to see why: in the warmer months, the exterior of the pub is bursting with colourful flowers. Make sure to stop in for a tipple, too.

sketch-gallery

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###Sketch

Victoria’s right – the award for most Instagrammable restaurant in London surely has to go to Sketch. Found in Mayfair, this quirky 18th century teahouse transforms into a restaurant and cocktail lounge every evening. Whether you’re here for afternoon tea, a decadent dinner, or a drink in the late hours, the interior of Sketch is something to behold. And don’t forget to check out the space-age toilets, which are definitely one of the best spots in London for those fun Instagram photos that brighten up your feed.

british-museum

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

British Museum

Go here for the fantastic art and artefacts, of course… but also go for the amazing photography opportunities, especially in the Great Court area. For the best Instagram shots of the British Museum, head to the second floor and find the small window overlooking the court.

biscuiteers

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

monocle-cafe

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###Shop Fronts

London has some of the best shop fronts to photograph, whether you’re after cute cafés, local shops, or larger stores like Liberty in Oxford Circus. Some of the most famous shop fronts in London on Instagram are Biscuiteers in Notting Hill, Paper and Cup in Shoreditch, and Monocle in Marylebone. They’re not only photogenic, they’re also great places to relax with a coffee or sweet treat.

hyde-park

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###Hyde Park

One of the most photographed parks in London, Hyde Park is perfect for your Instagram feed. Beautiful all year round, it has plenty of space to lounge, picnic, or play sports. If you’re after iconic photographs, head to the rose garden or the lake, which is often filled with swans. For other beautiful parks in London to photograph, check out Primrose Hill and Victoria Park.

bourneandhollingsworth

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

###London’s Breakfasts

There’s no doubt about it – London has some of the best restaurants in the world, and you’ll never be out of new places to try for brunch. While getting the perfect picture for your Instagram may involve standing on your chair (how else do you get that classic overhead shot?), there are hundreds of Instagram-worthy breakfast locations all over London. While Victoria recommends the brunch at Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings, also check out Bistroteque, Duck and Waffle, German Gymnasium, Hoi Polloi, and the Corner Room in Town Hall Hotel, all of which have delicious food and stunning interiors to photograph for Instagram.

bourne-and-hollingsworth

(photo courtesy of Victoria Watts Kennedy)

So there you have it – some of London’s top spot for Instagram, according to our London Insider Victoria. If you need more inspiration, check out our London guide. And to see the first instalment of Victoria’s Inside Guide to London, take a look at our post on discovering London’s villages.

Which spots would you add to the list?