London’s certainly not short of iconic structures that arouse passions and provoke debate. From Tate Modern to the Tower of London, Battersea Power Station to the BBC’s Broadcasting House, the Smoke’s man-made wonders are more diverse in style than any world city’s, and a tribute to the visionary architects, from Hawksmoor to Scott to Foster, who have helped shape the skyline. Over the coming weeks we’ll be paying tribute to what we consider to be the capital’s finest seven man-made marvels
Vote now for your favourite of our seven wonders.
Tell us which London landmarks you would include.
See readers' suggestions of other London wonders.
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| St Pancras | Hoover Building | ||
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| Kew Gardens | Old Royal Naval College | ||
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| Natural History Museum | BAPS Shri Swaninarayan Hindu Mandir | ||
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| National Theatre |
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24 comments
Hampstead Heath is by far the most beautiful spot in London. I spend 3 days a week there walking, exercising and enjoying lunch at the Brew House Cafe with my son, friends and husband. The views are incredible and there is so much going on - dawn bird watching, musical events, childrens easter egg hunts etc. Well worth a visit.
For me, the most beautiful place ever in London is Hampstead Heath. I adore it! I fell in love with it since the first time I've seen it, and I get there every time I have a chance. I love every part of it, it's perfect for walking, sun- bathing, having some relaxing time with friends or loved ones, but also alone! And it is worth visiting in every season!
You have missed out Pimlico School in your Super Structures - massive, ugly, full of character, New York subway for giants - and it's about to be pulled down, never to be seen again
I second the nomination of Greater London House in Mornington Crescent, though in our house it's always referred to as World Domination HQ. It should definitely house a Bond villain's not so secret lair rather than dullsville offices.
Easily St Paul's needs to be on London's Seven Wonders list... especially now that it's been cleaned and looks like it did the day it was completed. The incredible architecture, the genius and perfection of the inner dome and the imposing views whilst walking over the Millenium Bridge or up from Ludgate Circus... you can still imagine its magnificence dominating the city when it was built in the late 17th Century.
How can we be going so afar from the monstrosities that London has to offer? Surely beauty in architecture doesn't necessitate a marvel- a 'great building' in and of itself? What of the Barbican? The whole Barbican site as a visionary failure? A beautiful mutant of dirtied grey concrete, labyrinthine pathways outside and in the Barbican center itself. It use of the old Roman wall as a perspective, likewise, and it's use a boundary between two boroughs. It's a fascinating and frustrating place, offering a true sense of London in one space.
The Natural History Museum, St. Paul's, Royal Court Of Justice and Royal Albert Hall.
Sir John Soanes house (lincons inn fields) but also Leyton (as in the painter, Lord Leyton) house, holland park!
So many candidates:
St Paul's
The Temple
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Royal Courts of Justice
What to leave out?
London Underground
St Paul's
The Temple
Royal Courts of Justice
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Somerset House
There are so many....what to leave out!
Definitely the Globe inasmuch as it symbolizes the ancient London coming across modern London.
I'd like to nominate St Martin-in-the-Fields. Soon to be re-opened after refurbishment, this elegant James Gibbs church sits proudly on Trafalgar Square and is one of the oldest parish churches in the country. It does huge charitable works in the community, particularly with the homeless. St Martin's was involved in the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the founding of many charitable organisations, including Amnesty International, Shelter and The Big Issue. This church is definitely one of the seven wonders of London landmark.
Crystal Palace Sports Centre (Ledrington Rd, London, SE19 2BB
LCC Architects' Department under Sir Leslie Martin, 1954-64
Listed Grade II*). It's an immense building but its glazed walls are so delicate that the roof appears to soar and float above it. I love the way you can see right through it to the diving boards. And it's a great resource for London, if only it was given some tlc. Shame about all the asbestos though.
The former Carreras cigarrette factory (now Greater London House)opposite Mornington Crescent tube station is just fantastic. Together with the Hoover Building, it just shows not only, how beautiftul some of London's art deco buildings are, but emphasises how ugly and unispiring much of the city's modern architechture is.
The Gillette Tower on the Syon Lane junction of the A4, especially at dusk when the pink and blue neon on the clock appears - beautiful.
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