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If you hadn’t already heard, London is pretty damn gorg. A recent study reckoned that the Big Smoke is home to the UK’s finest view, and now one of the capital’s architectural masterpieces has been ranked among the most beautiful places in the world.
The accolade went to the Barbican Estate, which ranked second on Time Out’s list of the world’s 26 most beautiful buildings to see in 2026. The Barbican was a new entry in the guide for 2026, and placed second only to the mighty Taj Mahal.
Built between 1965 and 1976, the brutalist structure might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of stunning architecture, but the striking uniformity of its terraces paired with the rippling serenity of the lake and ponds below are a feast for the eyes, whatever your personal taste.
The Barbican project, which was granted Grade II-listed status in 2001, beat other jaw-dropping edifices including Iceland’s rocket-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, which is still being built 140 years after construction began.
Plus, London’s labyrinthine icon is also undergoing a revamp which will see the beautiful structure made more accessible. The £240 million redesign, which will begin in 2027 and is expected to be complete by 2030, includes a new ‘wayfinding system’ to help visitors find their way around.
The most beautiful buildings in the world, according to Time Out.
Did you see that Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall is being turned into a big maze this summer?
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