The Best Instagram Locations in London

London is awash with beautiful locations, cute cafes and pastel perfect architecture that all make for gorgeous Instagrams, but being the sprawling city that it is it can be a little daunting to know where to head. I wanted to write this post as a sort of cheat sheet for Instagram hotspots, because there’s few things more frustrating than wanting to get some nice shots and not finding that perfect backdrop. If you’re like me and you fully plan your life (where to visit, where to eat, which cafe to order an artistically designed latte art..) around Instagram photo ops, this is the guide for you!

PRETTY IN PASTELS

London is choc-a-block with pastel hued streets, if you only know where to find them. My very favourite spot is Primrose Hill, where you’ll find Chalcot Crescent and Chalcot Square (photos 1 and 2). Also in the Camden area is Hartland Road, and Kelly Street in nearby Kentish Town.

In West London you’ll find the Insta-famous houses around Portobello – the streets to head for are Lancaster Street, Westbourne Park Road, Denbigh Terrace, and Hillgate Place (photo 3). You’ll be fighting for space amongst all the fashion bloggers, but it’s worth it for the quintessential Notting Hill shot.

Head down to Chelsea for the beautiful coloured buildings on Bywater Street – the Barbie pink one is a favourite fixture on my Instagram!

LONDON IN BLOOM

Okay it’s not quite Japan during Cherry Blossom Season, but you know London will give it a darn good shot when it comes to Spring foliage. For Spring blooms the best spots are around Kensington and Notting Hill (photo 3), particularly framed against the gorgeous white townhouses.

Les Senteurs (photo 1) on Elizabeth Street (conveniently just down from Peggy Porschen, see ‘the cafes’) has a really lovely floral display this Spring, or for more tropical vibes head to the Palm House at Kew Gardens (photo 2).

THE CAFES

It seems like a new super Instagrammable cafe is popping up every other day in London at the moment. Top tip for entrepreneurs looking to make lots of money out of avocado toast: put in a flower wall and the bloggers will come (I’m totally guilty myself).

You’ll probably have seen Peggy Porschen (photo 2) aaaall over Instagram – from their beautiful seasonal flower installation to the super grammable coffees. Head to Ebury Street to grab a snap for yourself.

Elan Cafe (photo 3) absolutely exploded recently – what did Instagram even consist of before it opened? I forget, but it can’t have been half as pretty. Both their Park Lane and Brompton Road branches feature the flower wall that has made them Insta-famous. Fair warning, it’s on the pricey side, and does feel a bit of an Insta-cliche when literally everyone has their phones out taking selfies with their eggs.

Not so much a cafe than a restaurant, head down to Kings Road for a picture outside The Ivy (photo 1), who do lovely seasonal displays that always attract crowds of snappers.

LONDON CALLING

There are more classic London shots than I can reasonably feature (perhaps that should be a separate post?), but I do have a couple of favourites that are a guaranteed shot.

London is swarming with iconic red phone booths, but for the row in photo 1 head to Broad Court off Bow Street in Covent Garden.

They appear in pretty much every tourist photo album of London, but the Houses of Parliament are beautiful enough to not feel cliche. Unfortunately Big Ben is having a makeover, but you can still get a decent shot on Westminster Bridge.

My personal fave though is the breathtaking St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on Euston Road, Kings Cross. The stunning building looks like something out of Harry Potter, and the inside (check out the endless staircase, below, scene of many an Instagram) is equally pretty. I’ve never stayed they, but if you’ve got the dough I’m sure it’s an amazing experience!

AMAZING BUILDINGS

Leadenhall Market on Gracechurch Street (photo 1) is a beautiful spot in East London, painted in bright hues and satisfyingly symmetrical for photo ops.

Photo 2 is the aforementioned staircase at St Pancras Renaissance – technically the area is only for guests, but who’s going to know?

You can’t come to London and not stop by Harrods on Brompton Road, at the very least to take a look at the impressive exterior. Pop yourself across the road to get as much of the building in shot, and hopefully you’ll get a black cab or London bus in shot too to make it extra Londony. If you’re willing to brave the crowds, head inside to ogle the amazing display in the food court, the array of life size bears in the toy area, and the jaw-dropping prices of designer fashion!

Where are your secret London spots for a great photo? Lemme know in the comments – you may see them on my feed soon…

Of course, the best way to make a mark on any social platform is to be original. These ideas are a guide, but there are always ways to take something traditional and find a new spin on it, from an unusual angle or composition to a bit of funky editing. If we all start taking the same photos, where’s the fun in that?