Historvius (mapping history)

Historic sites in London

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For those wishing to discover historic sites in London, our city guide is designed to show you a great selection of historical places to visit in this popular tourist destination.

Founded by the Romans in 43AD, London became an important city in Roman Britain. Despite the destruction wrought by Boudicca in 61AD the city recovered and was a thriving centre of Roman life. Although little remains from this period, there are a few scattered Roman ruins, including parts of the Roman walls and the remains of a Roman theatre. After the Romans departed, the city’s influence waned until the site was refortified by Alfred the Great. The Norman conquest of 1066AD saw the city become increasingly important until it was established as the capital of England and the seat of power for the British monarchy – a fact reflected by the many royal palaces and homes which still exist today.

Over the centuries London has faced a multitude of threats - from plagues to the Great Fire of 1666 right through to the modern era and the German bombing of the city. Despite these challenges, London has continually grown, expanded and become a political, cultural and academic hub. Over the years many grand building projects have been undertaken, leading to a wealth of interesting and amazing historical places in London which can be explored today – making the city one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Once you’ve explored the historical sites of London you can use our itinerary planner tool to plan out your very own London history tour and then print off a free pocket guidebook. Our database of London's historic sites is growing all the time, but we may not cover them all. Remember, if you know of other historic sites in London, you can always add them to Historvius now by visiting our upload page.

Historical sites in London : Site Index

  • 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street
    10 Downing Street is the home of the Prime Minister of the UK and one of the most important political historic places in London
    Photo by nikoretro (cc)

  • Apsley House Apsley House
    Apsley House was the home of one of Britain’s most heroic figures, the Duke of Wellington.
    Photo by araqnid (cc)

  • Banqueting House Banqueting House
    The Banqueting House in Whitehall is famous as the site of the execution of King Charles I and one of the historic sites in London that saw crucial historical events.
    Photo by antmoose (cc)

  • Battle of Barnet Battle of Barnet
    One of the most decisive and bloody encounters of the Wars of the Roses.
    Photo by Matt From London (cc)

  • Big Ben Big Ben
    Big Ben is the name often attributed to the iconic clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. It is one of the most famous historic places in London.
    Photo by apdk (cc)

  • British Museum British Museum
    The British Museum in London is a world-famous museum of history and culture. It is one of the most popular historic attractions in London.
    Photo by Dysanovic (cc)

  • Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace
    One of the most famous historic sites in London, Buckingham Palace has been the royal residence of British monarchs since the reign of Queen Victoria.
    Photo by girolame (cc)

  • Bushey Museum Bushey Museum
    A small museum dedicated to the local history of the village of Bushey in Hertfordshire, which also contains an art gallery.

  • Cabinet War Rooms Cabinet War Rooms
    The Cabinet War Rooms are part of the underground bunker complex in London where Winston Churchill and his government operated during World War Two. One of many military historic sites in London.
    Photo by brianburk9 (cc)

  • Clarence House Clarence House
    Clarence House has been the London residence of several members of the British royal family.
    Photo by HerryLawford (cc)

  • Eltham Palace Eltham Palace
    Eltham Palace is a spectacular Art Deco palace built in the 1930’s alongside a 15th century medieval hall.
    Photo by Banalities (cc)

  • Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Downs Racecourse
    The Epsom Downs Racecourse was the site of one of the most iconic moment in the women’s rights movement.
    Photo by grahamc99 (cc)

  • Fenton House Fenton House
    Fenton House is a well maintained seventeenth century house in Hampstead in North London.
    Photo by Matt From London (cc)

  • Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace
    Hampton Court Palace is a medieval palace whch has served as everything from a royal residence to a prison.
    Photo by Harshil.Shah (cc)

  • Hatfield House Hatfield House
    Hatfield House is a Jacobean country house built on the site of what was Queen Elizabeth I’s childhood home.
    Photo by andrew_j_w (cc)

  • Highgate Cemetery Highgate Cemetery
    Highgate Cemetery is a famous graveyard in North London where Karl Marx is buried. One of the more hidden historic sites in London.
    Photo by Anosmia (cc)

  • HMS Belfast HMS Belfast
    HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser ship that played a role in both World War II and the Korean War. One of the most popular historic sites in London.
    Photo by simononly (cc)

  • Houses of Parliament Houses of Parliament
    The Houses of Parliament are the home of the UK Parliament and are amongst the most famous historical places in London.
    Photo by Gordon M Robertson (cc)

  • Imperial War Museum Imperial War Museum
    The Imperial War Museum is a London-based museum dedicated to world conflict. A popular tourist attraction in London.
    Photo by _dChris (cc)

  • Jewel Tower Jewel Tower
    The Jewel Tower is one of the last remnants of the medieval Westminster Palace and is amongst the lesser-known historic sites in London.
    Photo by Thomas R. Koll (cc)

  • Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker
    The Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker is an enormous, three-storey, Cold War-era subterranean shelter and operations centre in Brentwood, Essex. It was constructed in 1952.
    Photo by Matthew.H (cc)

  • Kensington Palace Kensington Palace
    Kensington Palace was the childhood home of Queen Victoria and the home of Diana, Princess of Wales, until her death.
    Photo by ciao_yvon (cc)

  • Kenwood House Kenwood House
    Kenwood House is a picturesque historic stately home in North London and among the great summertime historic places in London to visit.
    Photo by Laura Nolte (cc)

  • Kew Palace Kew Palace
    Kew Palace is a seventeenth century palace which once served as a royal residence.
    Photo by Laura Nolte (cc)

  • London Roman Amphitheatre London Roman Amphitheatre
    The London Roman Amphitheatre was built in the first century AD and is the only one of its kind in the city. Amongst the lesser-known historical sites in London.
    Photo by portableantiquities (cc)

  • London Roman Fort London Roman Fort
    The London Roman Fort was a second century fort which housed Roman Londinium’s soldiers. Amongst the lesser-known historical sites in London.
    Photo by pandrcutts (cc)

  • London Roman Wall London Roman Wall
    The London Roman Wall was built in around the third century AD and parts of it can be seen today. Amongst the ancient historical sites in London.
    Photo by thetravelguru (cc)

  • Lullingstone Roman Villa Lullingstone Roman Villa
    Lullingstone Roman Villa is a fine example of a 1st Century Roman villa. Built roughly 50 years after the Roman conquest of Britain, it was home to the wealthier elements of Romano-British society.
    Photo by Loz Flowers (cc)

  • Moor Park Mansion Moor Park Mansion
    A listed Palladian mansion now used as a golf clubhouse
    Photo by < J > (cc)

  • Museum of London Museum of London
    The Museum of London explores the history of the UK’s capital city. One of many historic sites in London that is good for children.

  • Nelson’s Column Nelson’s Column
    Nelson’s Column is a monument dedicated to Admiral Lord Nelson in London’s Trafalgar Square.
    Photo by ell brown (cc)

  • St Albans St Albans
    St Albans is a wonderful market town and the site of the execution of Britain’s first Christian martyr (209AD).
    Photo by cybaea (cc)

  • St James’s Palace St James’s Palace
    St James’s Palace has been the official residence of the British Sovereign since the reign of King Henry VIII.
    Photo by Alex S. Bayley (cc)

  • St Paul’s Cathedral St Paul’s Cathedral
    St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic historic building in central London and the seat of the Diocese of London.
    Photo by garryknight (cc)

  • Temple Church Temple Church
    The Temple Church in London was established by the Knights Templar in the twelfth century.
    Photo by Simon_Brighton (cc)

  • The Great Fire of London Monument The Great Fire of London Monument
    The Great Fire of London Monument commemorates the major fire of 1666.
    Photo by Stazjia (cc)

  • The London Royal Air Force Museum The London Royal Air Force Museum
    The London Royal Air Force Museum offers a great overview of the history of aviation in combat as well as housing over 100 aircraft from around the world.
    Photo by tataquax (cc)

  • The Tower of London The Tower of London
    The Tower of London is a famous fortress and prison originally commissioned by the first Norman king, William the Conqueror.

  • Tower Bridge Tower Bridge
    Tower Bridge is an iconic nineteenth century bridge over the Thames in London.
    Photo by siddhu2020 (cc)

  • Verulamium Verulamium
    Verulamium was a Roman settlement near modern day St Albans in England.
    Photo by Brron (cc)

  • Victoria and Albert Museum Victoria and Albert Museum
    The Victoria and Albert Museum displays millions of works of art from around the world and spans 3,000 years of history.
    Photo by gailf548 (cc)

  • Watford Museum Watford Museum
    This museum is devoted to the history of the local area and that of the town of Watford itself.

  • Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey
    Westminster Abbey is an iconic medieval structure and the site of many historic royal events, from coronations and weddings to burials.
    Photo by Mark Ramsay (cc)

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