Eight of the most Insta-worthy outdoor spots in London this winter

Yes, it get dark before 5pm – but that doesn't mean that London in winter isn't ripe for the 'gram. Moody skies, dramatic sunsets, spooky skeletal trees and those rare and beautiful fresh blue skies are perfect Instagram fodder, if you know the right places to snap them. Together with Transport for London, we've compiled the finest shots taken by the Time Out Tastemaker Community for inspiration. Thanks to TfL's adult off-peak fares starting from £1.50 – and their free and discounted travel for kids in London – embarking on your photographic odyssey is very affordable. 

Remember to check TfL Journey Planner before you travel. 

1. Start at the Tower of London for a bit of historical drama:

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Majestic Tower of London at night. #londonchristmaslights #londonchristmaslights2018 #toweroflondon #iconiclondon #timeout #TOTastemaker #telltimeout #london_enthusiast #prettylittlelondon #timeoutmagazine #timeoutlondon #theworldandonlyme #Instagramability

A post shared by 🔅Elena🔅 (@onlyme_elena) on Dec 25, 2018 at 1:50am PST

Getting there District or Circle line to Tower Hill.
Local bus routes 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1.

2. Head to Hyde Park on a clear day to hang out with its prettiest residents:

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Swan Lake 🦢 Swans usually stick their heads in the water when they see me TBH so this is a Christmas miracle 🤣 one of my fave views in Kensington Palace Gardens / Hyde Park 🦢 . . #hydepark #kensingtonpalace #kensingtonpalacegardens #landscape #horizon #lookup #nature #naturelovers #runninggoals #london #londonblogger #totastemaker #blog #swan #swanlake #swanqueen

A post shared by Claire Etchell (@claireetchell) on Dec 7, 2018 at 3:41am PST

Getting there Central line to Queensway.
Local bus routes 9, 27, 28, 31, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 274, 360, 390.

3. Check out the views of Regent's Canal from the brick arches of Coal Drops Yard:

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Love the new look given to the Victorian brick arches and cobblestoned streets of Coal Drops Yard, including this view of Regent’s Canal. 🧡 . . . #lltyphotography #iglondon #timeoutlondon #ilovelondon #wanderlust #instalondon #instadaily #thisislondon #igerslondon #londoner #london #cityoflondon #london_little_magic #photooftheday #TOTastemaker #toplondonphoto #londoncityworld #lonelyplanet #thecitylanelondon #photography #londonphotography #wonderlustlondon #viewbug #lpphotochallengered #architecture #coaldropsyard

A post shared by Lawrence (@llty.eats.travels) on Dec 20, 2018 at 6:45am PST

Getting there Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly or Victoria line to King's Cross St Pancras. 
Local bus routes 17, 30, 45, 46, 59, 63, 73, 91, 205, 259, 390, 476.

4. Shoot the South Bank skyline in the final few moments of sunlight:

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London at sunset . . . #london #sunset #thames #southbank #londoneye #river #housesofparliament #telltimeout #TOTastemaker #winter #londonatnight #londonatchristmas

A post shared by Charlotte Walter (@charlottewldn) on Dec 10, 2018 at 5:20am PST

Getting there Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern or Waterloo & City line to Waterloo. 
Local bus routes 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 521, RV1.

5. Admire the majestic St Paul's Cathedral and experiment with new angles:

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Can never resist this perfectly framed shot of @stpaulscathedrallondon from @onenewchange! . . . . #stpauls #stpaulscathedral #cathedral #architecture #archilovers #building #instabuilding #reflection #glass #london #explore #totastemaker #telltimeout #dome

A post shared by Michael (@rattyboom) on Dec 9, 2018 at 10:39am PST

Getting there Central line to St Paul's.
Local bus routes 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 26, 56, 76, 100, 172, 242, 521.

6. Capture all the colours of the rainbow after dark from the northern side of London Bridge:

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...that’s a wrap on another epic weekend, and “water” weekend it was 💧😍 Filled with pizza, friends, good music and about ten G&Ts too many 🙈 What was the highlight of your weekend? ♥️

A post shared by Vegan Food 🌱 London 🇬🇧 (@thelittlelondonvegan) on Jan 13, 2019 at 9:11am PST

Getting there Circle or District line to Monument.
Local bus routes 15, 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 344, 521.

7. Wander through Covent Garden in search of its prettiest angle:

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Covent Garden is a sexy little beast, come rain or shine! ☔️☀️ . . I’m turning the tables on you guys today, where’s your fave place to eat in CG? . . #londonedit #coventgarden #coventgardenmarket #rainylondon #viewoflondon #london #totastemaker #londonfood #viewsoflondon #vegan #londonvegan #londonfood #touristinlondon #coventgardenlondon #londonist #londonbylondoners #londonfoodguide #outinlondon #toplondonphoto #londonsbest #londonphotographer #coventgardenrestaurant #londonphotography #londoner #prettylittlelondon #londonblogger #london_only @timeoutlondon @londoncityworld @prettylittlelondon @london @londonsbest @londontheinside @visitlondon @metro.co.uk @secret.london @esgolondon @infatuation_london @londonist_com @theresidentlondon @out_in_london

A post shared by Vegan Food 🌱 London 🇬🇧 (@thelittlelondonvegan) on Oct 26, 2018 at 4:03am PDT

Getting there Northern line to Highgate, then 43 bus.
Local bus routes 43, 102, 134, 144, 234, 299, 603, W7.

8. Finally, remember that Richmond Park's deer are always up for a photoshoot:

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Oh deer 🦌 #england #richmondpark #richmonduponthames #deer #wildlife #nature #timeoutlondon #totastemaker #richmondhill #deerseason #lppathfinders #lonelyplanet #visitengland #nationaltrust #getoutside #winterwalks #londonparks #bbctravel #culturetrip #animals #lpfanphoto #stbigshot #jordhammondsundays

A post shared by María (@_superfan_) on Dec 20, 2018 at 1:15am PST

Getting there District line to Richmond.
Local bus routes 33, 65, 190, 337, 371, 391, 419, 490, 493, H22, H37, R68, R70.