Tower of London viewed from the river Thames.

10 beautiful places in London straight out of a fairytale

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Discover the prettiest places in London that would look at home on the pages of a fairy story.
Visit London Editors
Written by Visit London Editors Edited by Charlotte Pritchard 14 November 2024
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Go on a magical adventure in London and explore the capital's most beautiful spots, from immersive rooftop bars and cosy pubs, to hidden gardens and Insta-worthy attractions.

See a different side of the city and discover the wonder of London’s architecture, nature and history with our guide to the most beautiful places in London.

1. Kew Gardens

Wander through the vast botanical gardens at Kew Gardens and explore a unique collection of flowers showcasing the beauty of nature at the heart of London. © visitlondon.com/Michael Barrow
Head to Kew Gardens for a spellbinding adventure. The botanical gardens are fun to explore all year round, with beautiful Victorian glasshouses and exotic plants. For added sparkle, check out Christmas at Kew to see the landscape filled with illuminations and twinkling light tunnels.
Where:

Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AB

Price:

From £22.00

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.4Based on 9,511 reviews

2. Tower of London

Explore the White Tower, home to the royal armoury, and the notorious prison of the Tower of London. ©Shutterstock/ Justin Black
Explore the Tower of London and be treated to thrilling and bloody tales from the legendary Yeomen Warders, known as Beefeaters. Discover nearly 1,000 years of the Tower's history as a mighty fortress, royal palace and infamous prison and see the sparkling crown jewels.
 
Where:

Tower Hill, City of London, London, EC3N 4AB

Price:

From £35.80

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.6Based on 69,309 reviews

3. Windsor Castle

The Grand Reception Room at Windsor Castle. ©Peter Smith/Royal Collection Trust/His Majesty King Charles III 2023.
Step into the pages of a storybook at Windsor Castle. Explore the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and fall in love with the stunning architecture and immaculate gardens. Find your way to the lavish State Apartments and admire some of the finest works of art in the Royal Collection.
 
Where:

Windsor, SL4 1NJ

Price:

From £31.00

4. Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College

Admire the beauty of the Painted Hall in Greenwich. Credit: London & Partners/Michael Barrow. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
Gaze at the mesmerising painted ceiling at the Old Royal Naval College. Marvel at awe-inspiring paintings of kings, queens and mythological creatures decorating more than 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings.
Where:

King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN

Price:

From £17.50

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.7Based on 2,774 reviews

5. Kensington Palace

Kensington Gardens in the autumn. Credit: Jon Reid. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.
Find tranquility in the gardens of Kensington Palace – the birthplace of Queen Victoria boasting more than three centuries of history. Take a stroll through the famous landscaped gardens and see vibrant flowers and a statue dedicated to Princess Diana. Or venture beyond the royal doors and discover specially curated exhibitions and displays.
Where:

Kensington Palace State Apartments, Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX

Price:

From £24.70

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

3.7Based on 5,899 reviews

6. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Choose from a selection of plays to watch under the stars at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Image courtesy of David Jensen/ Feast Creative Web.
Watch fairytales come alive in the majestic setting of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre – set against the enchanting backdrop of lush trees within Queen Mary's Gardens. Be enthralled by stunning sets and costumes at comedy, drama and family theatre during the summer months.
 
Where:

The Regents Park, Inner Circle, London, NW1 4NU

7. Hampton Court Palace

Stroll through Hampton Court Palace’s world-famous gardens, home to the oldest puzzle maze. © London & Partners/Michael Barrow.
Immerse yourself in the spectacular settings of Hampton Court Palace and experience the magnificence of Henry VIII’s favourite residence. Uncover Tudor treasures, glorious gardens and an iconic maze on an epic historic adventure.
Where:

East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

Price:

From £28.00

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.6Based on 8,026 reviews

8. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Hogwarts Castle. TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
Cross into the land of wizardry and magic at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. The home of spellbinding special effects, interactive sets and costumes from the Harry Potter film series, relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers and uncover behind-the-scenes secrets.
 
Where:

London, SW1W 9SR

Price:

From £119.00

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.7Based on 47,716 reviews

9. Shrek's Adventure

Shrek's Adventure! London. Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainments.
Be a believer and join an epic quest to beat Lord Farquaad at Shrek's Adventure. Featuring lovable fairytale characters, extraordinary DreamWorks animation and classic sets from the Shrek films, there’s no better place to experience captivating storytelling.
 
Where:

London, SE1 7PB

Price:

From £32.00

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

3.7Based on 4,182 reviews

10. Shakespeare's Globe

Take a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and marvel at the grand stage. Image courtesy of London & Partners/Michael Barrow.
Travel back in time to a charming storybook setting at Shakespeare’s Globe. An Elizabethan playhouse steeped in history, see a Shakespearean classic during the summer season and immerse yourself in magical theatre – including the famous A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
 
Where:

21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5Based on 9,374 reviews

What is the prettiest area in London?

London has many beautiful places and picture-perfect areas to explore, from leafy Richmond and scenic Greenwich to the iconic sightseeing spots of Westminster and Covent Garden. If you’re looking to venture outside of the capital for the most Instagrammable snaps, Dover Castle and Warwick Castle are both enchanting locations for picture-pretty appeal. 

Where to take good pictures in London?

The capital is packed with photo opportunities waiting to happen! These must-see landmarks, spectacular buildings and hidden gems may not have caught your eye before.

  • Strawberry Hill House – fall in love with the picture-perfect turreted white castle, complete with stained-glass windows and winding staircases.
  • Leadenhall Market – snap away at the market’s starry ceiling. It’s easy to see why it was chosen as a Harry Potter filming location, the whole Victorian structure feels magical.
  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – learn about Hinduism while marvelling at exquisite workmanship at this Hindu temple in north-west London.
  • St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London – have sweet dreams of fairies, princesses and magical doings, inspired by the stunning staircase at this five-star hotel.
  • Tower Bridge – stroll along London’s iconic landmark and take pictures of the impressive surrounding attractions.
  • Woolwich Town Hall – discover the incredibly pretty Town Hall in south-east London. The pink walls and marble floors conjure images of charming balls.
  • St Dunstan in the East – take Insta-worthy pictures in the beautiful ruins of St Dunstan in the East church, now a gorgeous garden after falling into disrepair during the Blitz.
  • Hall Place – dress up in Tudor outfits, linger in the rose garden and admire the splendour of the courtyard.
  • Hampstead Heath – explore the ancient woodlands and find your way to the Hill Garden and Pergola for a dreamy photo stop.
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For more magical experiences in London, check out this list of reasons to fall in love with old London and guide to a dazzling Christmas. 

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