5 Best Historic Buildings in London

Discover five best historic buildings in London that almost all visitors have on their bucket list. Find out where to explore to immerse yourself in the ancient architectural beauty of England’s capital city.
London has been around for over 2000 years now since the Romans invaded Britain and built a settlement called Londinium. It became England’s largest town around the 11th Century. From then on, a series of developments have turned it into a commercial, entertainment and cultural hub in the world.

Here are 5 best historic buildings in London that stand out.

1. Tower of London

This grander castle was constructed towards the end of 1066. Through the years, it served many purposes. It was a palace for the royal family, a prison, a mint as well as an office for public records. Various rulers lived there, including kings, between the 12th and 13th Century. This building is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London.

2. Apothecaries Hall

The first building burnt down during the Great Fire of September 1666. What visitors now see is a 1672 building that also survived the bombing attacks of the Second World War. After reconstruction, it became a manufacturing plant for a variety of medication, and a pharmacy. Most of the building’s structure, such as the Great Hall, remains the same as it was in 1672.

3. Westminster Abbey

The most recent internationally famous event held at the Westminster Abbey is the royal wedding of William and Kate, The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, in 2011. The first church constructed on the site was in the 7th Century, and the current one was built in 1245. Westminster hosts coronation ceremonies and royal weddings. It also serves as the burial grounds for royals and prominent figures such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Westminster Abbey is another of the city’s World Heritage Sites.

4. Buckingham Palace

It serves as the residence and administration quarters of UK’s monarch. Buckingham House, as it was called before, is a 1703 townhouse that was enlarged years later to include several wings and a courtyard. Tours of this palace take visitors through the magnificent state rooms to marvel at the masterpieces of various painters.

5. St Margaret’s Church

London seems to be a city of churches, and St. Margaret’s Church is another of the church historic buildings. This parish church is within the Westminster Abbey’s area, and it was built for residents to have a simple place of worship unlike the abbey next door. This church has hosted a number of burials and weddings since it was built in the 12th Century. In 1661, King Charles I ordered to have all parliamentarians buried in the Westminster Abbey unearthed and reburied in a pit in this church’s yard.

 

London’s iconic buildings date back as far as the 7th Century. Though some have changed a little from deterioration and restoration, there are dozens of other buildings that remain the same.