15 beautiful photos of London that will make you feel better about life

London isn't all grey skies, grey buildings and grey moods – unless that's the look you're going for. Just take a look at the runners-up from the 'Beautiful' category of this year's photo competition for proof that London really is one big, beautiful beast. Marvel at their oh-so-good-lookingness, then head over to see more amazing runners-up, plus Martin Parr's six overall winners from our inaugural photo competition.

RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to photography in London

© Rafael Bastos, Springfield Park

© Chris Kennedy, Regents Place

© Tim Hatton, South Bank

 

Tucked away behind the Southbank are Hopton's Almshouses, built in the 1740s and now dwarfed by the modern towers of Bankside. I've loved them ever since I first stumbled across them years ago - today they were looking very lovely and Spring-like with their rows of daffodils. 🌾

A photo posted by Skye (@georgianlondon) on Feb 23, 2016 at 12:06pm PST

 

Reflective #strideby

A photo posted by Elena (@elensham) on Feb 24, 2016 at 1:18am PST

 

Route I www.tugcekarapinar.com #instagram #london #jessops #vsco #love #architecture #vscocam #dslr #canon #photographer #streetphotography #landscape #lovegreatbritain #mybritisholympus #earth #beautiful #earthart #digitalphotography #travel #artist #instaphoto #instapic #webstagram #vscocam #photograph #thisislondon #strangeandfamiliarcomp

A photo posted by @tnk_photos on Feb 19, 2016 at 6:04am PST

© Eibhlin Mullarney, Two Temple Place

 

#unintentionalpavementart #noicemag #soundvision_mag #minimalzine

A photo posted by Thom | Designer | iPhone Only (@stooodley) on Feb 15, 2016 at 1:31am PST

 

The Crown In The Mist : The very tips of the O2 Arena @theo2london supports just about stick out above the fog that has completely covered London over night. #o2 #o2arena #fog #foggy#mist #misty #city #cityscape #urban #urbanlandscape #architecture #skyline #london #citylife #northgreenwich #greenwichpeninsula #architecture_london #thisislondon #maybeLNDer #igerslondon #lovelondon #timeoutlondon #shutup_london #instagood #instadaily #photooftheday #picoftheday #insta #paulshearsphotography #StrangeAndFamiliarComp

A photo posted by Paul Shears (@paulshearsphoto) on Nov 9, 2015 at 1:21am PST

© Jess Sully, Cross Bones Graveyard, Borough

 

#WorldGoesPop

A photo posted by Ian Bartlett (@bartlettville) on Aug 20, 2015 at 9:12am PDT

COPYCOPCYCP

 

#peasouper #hackney #canal #hackneywick #noicemag @noice_mag #green #minimalcomicplay #contemporaryart

A photo posted by Ian Bartlett (@bartlettville) on Aug 11, 2015 at 5:36am PDT

© Bruno Giordan, Threadneedle Street 

 

Scotland woz here 👌#scotland #beer #foam #fountain #london #strangeandfamiliarcomp

A photo posted by Jessie (@thedolldrums) on Aug 14, 2013 at 9:47am PDT

© Adil Ispahani, Richmond Hill