Must See Sights and Landmarks in Clapton Pond Area

"This Gothic architectural masterpiece has hosted almost every coronation of English monarchs since 1066, when William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day. Over 3,300 people are buried here, including at least sixteen monarchs, eight Prime Ministers, and the Unknown Warrior."

"Henry of Reyns (1245), Nicholas Hawksmoor (1745), George Gilbert Scott (1865)📕 Page 4. England’s royal history began here. Edward the Confessor rebuilt St Peter’s Abbey, a small Benedictine abbey, to provide himself with a royal burial church."

"Never has a traffic jam on the Old Kent Road looked so enchanting – everything seen from The Shangri-La looks enchanting. The hotel occupies floors 34 to the 52 of Renzo Piano's 87-storey London landmark. The rooms (contemporary, creamy, Asian-influenced), restaurants (especially the romantic Ting) and bar (gin and rosemary – divine) are all fantastic, though nothing can compete with the extraordinary views over London, which turn every guest into a slack-jawed infant, lost in wonder, gazing out, palms to the window, all day long."

"The Shard is London’s tallest building|© Tim Ayers / Alamy Stock Photo. Daring, awe-inspiring and momentous, Renzo Piano’s spire-like building commands the capital as it soars to a height of 309.6 metres (1,016 feet), containing its own vertical city within. Inaugurated in 2012, the Shard is a relative newcomer to London’s cityscape, but has already become a symbol of the city, something that Piano says is down to its accessibility and transparency."

"Part of London’s new modern skyline, this skyscraper is the highest in the European Union at the time of writing. It rises to 309 metres. The building is a popular tourist destination, with great views of London."

"With magnificent exhibits including the Crown Jewels and ravens around the grounds, the Tower of London is a showcase of British history and culture. During a visit to the tower, you can see where prisoners were kept before they were hung, drawn and quartered as well as walk around rooms which used to be the royal palaces. Dating back to 1075, the Tower of London brings six palaces together into a historical landmark right in the centre of London, which continues to attract those who want to learn all about British history."

"The unmissable Tower of London (actually a castle of 22 towers) offers a window into a gruesome and compelling history. A former royal residence, treasury, mint, armoury and zoo, it's perhaps now most remembered as the prison where a king, three queens and many nobles met their deaths. Come here to see the colourful Yeoman Warders (or Beefeaters), the spectacular Crown Jewels, the soothsaying ravens and armour fit for a very large king."

"Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name and has become an iconic symbol of London. Construction started in 1886 and took eight years to build."

"Crossing over the River Thames, the Tower Bridge is an iconic symbol of London. It was built between 1886 and 1894 in the Victorian gothic style. It sits in the heart of the city, near the Tower of London."

"A view of the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament through a pedestrian tunnel on London’s South Bank|© Beatrice Preve / Alamy Stock Photo. One of the finest examples of Gothic Revivalist architecture in the world, the Palace of Westminster was built by 19th-century architect Sir Charles Barry, but the real brains behind it was the incredibly talented Augustus Pugin. He was just 23 when Barry enlisted him to help with the design of the building and was instrumental in its Gothic detailing (his superior was more of a Classicist)."

"Just across from Westminster Abbey are the incredible Houses of Parliament Building, with that iconic clock tower, home to the giant bell – Big Ben. My favourite place to shoot the Houses of Parliament is from the other side of the river, or atop Westminster Bridge. Here you can get some excellent long-exposure shots of passing traffic (try and frame a passing bus if you can!), with the light lines leading your eye to the Houses of Parliament themselves."

"Trafalgar Square is a large city square commemorating Lord Horatio Nelson’s victory against Napoleon’s navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The central monument within the square is a single tall column on which the figure of Nelson stands gazing over London. His monument is surrounded by four colossal lions and a series of large fountains."

"Trafalgar Square – Always full of people, Trafalgar Square is a popular meeting place and hang out for tourists and locals and is known as a place for public gatherings, demonstrations and New Year’s celebrations. In the centre of the Square is Nelson’s Column which is guarded by four lion statues at its base."

"Continue the walk north to Trafalgar Square. This is one of London’s most popular public squares. It has been the site for anti-war demonstrations, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and victory parades."

"St Paul’s Church Covent Garden was the first new church in London to be built since the Reformation almost a century before. It was designed and built by Inigo Jones, the architect also responsible for other famous London buildings at Banqueting House, Whitehall and Queens House, Greenwich. It was built between 1631 and 1633 along with the new Covent Garden Piazza, the first formal square in England."

"Not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral (a big attraction that comes with a ticket price), this church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is also known as the Actor’s Church. The first Punch and Judy show took place here in 1662, and there are memorials to Charlie Chaplin and Vivien Leigh."

"Also known as the Actor’s Church, this is situated next-door to Covent Garden and was designed by the famous architect Inigo Jones"

"The View From The Shard is the tallest viewing platform in central London with an indoor and outdoor viewing platform on levels 69 and 72. The Shard is 1,016 feet tall and sits centrally among the West End, Westminster, the ​​South Bank, the city, and Canary Wharf. This centralized location means it has one of the best viewing opportunities in London."

"Rise high above London and see the city's iconic skyline from a unique perspective, with views stretching up to 40 miles (64km). Spot the likes of the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and Wembley Stadium from The View from The Shard's observation deck, which sits 800ft (244m) up western Europe's tallest building."

"St George’s Chapel is a place of worship situated in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle. Founded in 1348, it is both a royal peculiar and the chapel of the Order of the Garter. The chapel is notable for its English late Perpendicular architecture, with the beautiful Quire and Nave among the most attractive features."

"Highlights here include the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and the 15th-century St. George’s Chapel. You can also see the Changing of the Guards ceremony here on certain days which is a similar but much smaller version of the ceremony that takes place in front of Buckingham Palace."

"Directly next door to Victoria Miro is this treasure of a gallery. Established by art biographer and collector Ziba Ardalan in 2007 this not for profit corporation is run for the public and the entry is free. They have been accountable for introducing global artists to the London art scene and starting the careers of Yang Fudong, Charles Avery and Michael Borremans."

"Located in the heart of London’s financial district, the Royal Exchange previously hosted the centre of commerce for the City of London. Today, however, the Royal Exchange hosts a variety of luxury shops, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Gucci…just to give an idea. Luxury restaurants and champagne bars are a great place to take a shopping break and the location of the Royal Exchange, the opposite side of town from our other shopping centres, means it is oftentimes not as busy as the better-known shopping locations of London."

"Not a single shop, but a collection of exclusive boutiques and restaurants, founded in the 16th century and housed in a striking building constructed in 1837. Shops include Hermès, Georg Jensen and Tiffany & Co, and goods available to buy range from fashion and accessories to beauty products and homewares. 3 Royal Court, Royal Exchange, Unit 15C, London EC3V 3LN"

"Sitting snugly between Bank and Monument Tube stations, the Royal Exchange building used to be the centre of commerce for the City of London. It has twice been burnt down and rebuilt, most recently in the 1840s. Royal Proclamations were traditionally read out on its lavish steps by the town crier."

"A peaceful oasis amongst the buzz and bustle of the city, the Culpeper Community Garden is managed by and for the local people. It’s open seven days a week and is just a short walk from Angel station. COVID-19 UPDATE: Culpeper Community Garden is currently closed to the public."

"This magnificent neoclassical mansion stands at the northern end of Hampstead Heath in a glorious sweep of landscaped gardens that lead down to a picturesque lake. The 17th-century house was substantially remodelled in the 1760s and rescued from developers by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who donated it and the wonderful collection of art it contains to the nation in 1927. Among its treasures are paintings by Rembrandt (one of his many self-portraits), Constable, Gainsborough and Vermeer."

"This largely Palladian villa offers an escape to a gracious country house with a magnificent collection of Old Masters and beautiful…"