Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in London

Did you know that London’s astonishing history stretches back to Roman times?

London is bustling with attractions and famous landmarks. Today, London is home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites. This makes it one of the world’s cities with the most separately inscribed sites.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites tell the unique story of the UK’s contribution to the world, so these four sites of extraordinary beauty are not to be missed!

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What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A UNESCO World Heritage site is a landmark or area that the United Nations has deemed to have cultural, historical, scientific, or other form of significance. It is therefore everyone’s duty to protect these sites for future generations.

The criteria met by each site is different but it must be judged as having outstanding universal value. As a result, the designated sites are given legal protection by international treaties.

The UK Government protects UNESCO World Heritage sites in two ways:

1. Monuments, individual buildings and conservation areas are designated under the ‘Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979’ and the ‘Planning Act 1990’.
2. The UK Spatial Planning system puts policies in place to protect, promote, conserve and enhance UNESCO World Heritage sites.

1. The Palace of Westminster

Address Parliament Square, Westminster, London SW1P 3JX

Date of UNESCO Inscription 1987

Time to complete 3–4 hours

The Westminster UNESCO area includes 3 main buildings: The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey & Saint Margaret’s Church. Emblems of monarchy, religion and power, these historic buildings date all the way back to the Middle Ages.

The Abbey’s unique artistic construction represents successive phases of Gothic art. In the words of UNESCO, “art is everywhere present and harmonious, making a veritable museum of the history of the United Kingdom.”

Moreover, to this day, these buildings continue to play a pivotal role in society and government:

• Westminster Abbey is the UK’s most famous church and the site at which monarchs are crowned, married and buried. A visit here will allow you to walk down the aisle in the steps of the royals.
• Walking around the Abbey is a real tour through British History. Prominent British citizens have been memorialised there, from monarchs and Prime Ministers to scientists and soldiers.
• Since the 15th century, The Palace of Westminster has been the seat of the UK’s Parliament. However, perhaps the most famous feature of the Palace is the Clock Tower, or more commonly Big Ben!
• St Margaret’s Church is the parish church of the Palace of Westminster. It has been the place of worship of the Speaker and the House of Commons since 1614.

You can learn more about the fascinating history and politics of the Houses of Parliament here.

In addition, if you want to visit the Palace of Westminster yourself, check out these amazing Westminster tickets and tours!

2. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

Address Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE

Date of UNESCO Inscription 2003

Time to complete 3–4 hours

Certainly one of the more unusual — and most beautiful — UNESCO World Heritage sites in London is the Botanic Gardens in Kew.

• These historic gardens are home to the largest and most diverse collection of living plants in the world.
• The gardens demonstrate significant periods in garden design by internationally renowned landscape architects from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
• Did you know that the gardens also have a royal history? The grounds hold two royal residences: Kew Palace (the smallest royal palace in Britain) and Queen Charlotte’s Cottage. These are the hereditary property of Queen Elizabeth II.

UNESCO has recognised Outstanding Universal Value in Kew’s contribution to advances in many scientific disciplines, particularly botany and ecology. To this day, Kew’s collections of living and stored material are used by scholars all over the world.

You can discover more interesting facts about The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew here.

Book your entrance tickets to The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew at the best price!

3. The Tower of London

Address St Katharine’s & Wapping, London, EC3N 4AB

Date of UNESCO Inscription 1988

Time to complete 3 hours

Built by William the Conqueror, The Tower of London is one of the oldest buildings in London! It sits on the northern bank of the river Thames and is a typical example of Norman military architecture.

Throughout European history, it has been the site for key historical events, including the execution of three English queens (Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey). However today, it is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Tower of London has Outstanding Universal Value for the following cultural qualities:

• Sited strategically at a bend in the River Thames, it had the dual role of providing protection for the City and of also controlling London’s citizens.
• The Tower is the most complete survival of an 11th-century fortress palace remaining in Europe.
• Catholic and Protestant prisoners defined the Tower as a site of torture and execution.
• The additions of Henry III and Edward I made the Tower into one of the most innovative and influential castle sites in Europe.
• The continuous use of the Tower by successive monarchs led to the development of important state institutions. Over the years, the Tower has been used as a palace, a fortress, a mint and a prison!
• The world famous Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower since the 17th century. A true sight to behold!

So if you want to experience The Tower of London for yourself, check out these amazing Tower of London tours!

4. Maritime Greenwich

Address Greenwich, London, SE10 9LW

Date of UNESCO Inscription 1997

Time to complete Day trip

The Maritime Greenwich designation area protects nine fascinating sites.

The collection of buildings at Greenwich symbolise artistic and scientific endeavour from the 17th and 18th centuries.

They also reflect two centuries of Royal patronage and the work of two of Britain’s greatest architects, Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren.

• The 17th century Queen’s House was the first Palladian building in England. The design provided inspiration for classical houses and villas all over the country.
• The Royal Observatory’s astronomical work permitted the accurate measurement of the earth’s movement and contributed to the development of global navigation.
• The Royal Observatory is the base-line for the world’s time zone system and for the measurement of longitude around the globe. Until the 1950s the world’s time was based around the time at Greenwich!
• The development of navigation and astronomy at the Royal Observatory led to the establishment of Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Why not stand on the famous Meridian line during your visit?

You can book your tickets to Greenwich at the best price here!

There’s a lot to take in at this impressive UNESCO site. Thankfully, a recently opened state-of-the-art visitor centre, Discover Greenwich, explains to visitors the history, value and significance of the property.