A Note From Greg: As a huge James Bond fan, the city of London, England, always has held a special place in my heart. I was last there in 2008, though after reading this guest post from Steve, I can’t wait to go back… and now I have the James Bond theme song stuck in my head 🙂

 

London is home to some of the most famous and oldest architecture in the UK; from the instantly recognizable dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the Houses of Parliament, which seem to glow gold at sunset.

 

London's Big Ben clocktower, as seen at night from the busy streets below
London’s Big Ben clocktower, as seen at night from the busy streets below

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However, the great thing about London is that innovative and ground breaking buildings are constantly being built, so there’s always something new to look at. Here are some of the finest examples modern architecture in recent times:

London City Hall

With its unusual spherical shape, the London City Hall has the look of a lop-sided egg, Darth Vader’s helmet or even a woodlouse (you get the picture). Covered in hundreds of shimmering glass widows, it’s a wonderful piece of architecture that can be found on the South Bank of the River Thames and was completed in 2002.

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Vauxhall Cross

As the home of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service known as MI6, the Vauxhall Cross is probably one of the most intriguing constructions in London. Just west of the Houses of Parliament, it’s rumored that the building has its own tunnel system that stretches underneath the Thames. The building is also the fictional London headquarters of James Bond, and has featured in the films GoldenEye, Die Another Day, The World is Not Enough, Skyfall and SPECTRE.

 

MI6 Headquarters at Vauxhall Cross - as seen in the James Bond Movies GoldenEye, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Skyfall and SPECTRE
MI6 Headquarters at Vauxhall Cross – as seen in the James Bond Movies GoldenEye, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Skyfall and SPECTRE

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The Shard

This amazing structure really is the daddy of modern architecture in London. Almost twice the height of the Gherkin at 308 meters tall, the Shard can be seen from almost anywhere in the city and is the tallest building in western Europe. Clad from top to bottom with around 11000 glass panels, the unusual pyramidal shape of this impressive skyscraper means it has become one of London’s most iconic skyscrapers.

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The Gherkin

Towering above the city’s financial district is the peculiar glass structure of the Gherkin, or 30 St Mary Axe to give it its full name. With 40 floors, the building stands at around 180 metres tall and has become a defining part of the London skyline since its completion in 2003. The restaurant at the top gives a bird’s eye view of London, and is worth a visit if you’re splashing out.

 

The London Skyline -- Photography by Billy Abbott -- http://billyabbott.livejournal.com/tag/photoblog
The London Skyline — Photography by Billy Abbott — http://billyabbott.livejournal.com/tag/photoblog

(The London Skyline, showing both the Gherkin and Lloyd’s Photography by Billy Abbott) 

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Lloyd’s Building

Another mind blowing building in the city is the innovative Lloyd’s Building. Consisting of three main towers, it’s often referred to as the ‘inside-out’ building as things like elevators, stairs and water pipes can all be seen on the outside, a feature that not only looks impressive, but creates more office space on the inside. With 14 floors, the structure stands at 289 feet tall and can be found along Lime Street. If you fancy seeing these buildings for yourself, you can find out more about accommodation in London on the Hotels4U website.

About the Author: Steve Alexander is a London-based writer who has visited most of Europe on his travels. He enjoys getting off the beaten track and discovering some of the lesser known attractions wherever he goes.