As one of the world’s foremost capitals, London is home to a number of famous residents. Visitors heading to central London will barely be able to turn a corner without stumbling upon a noted address offering a window into the capital both past and present.

Architecture buffs that are keen to get a glimpse of London’s most esteemed addresses will definitely want to peruse the list below.

Buckingham Palace

While the Queen and Prince Phillip spend much of their time in Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace serves as the Queen’s London residence and the location for some of the greatest Royal ceremonies. Prince George is also said to be enjoying swimming lessons in the Palace’s historic pool!

Downing Street

Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne take up their official residences in the neighbouring properties of 10 and 11 Downing Street. The Chancellor famously holds up the red Budget Box outside number 11 for the awaiting press when the annual Budget is announced.

 

Picture credit:Number 10

 32 Windsor Gardens, Notting Hill

This fictional London address is home to the equally fictional protagonist of a much loved series of children’s books. Paddington Bear is a duffle-coat wearing, marmalade-loving toy bear from the darkest Peru and has been enthralling readers and TV audiences since he first made an appearance in 1956.

 

Picture credit:Antony Robinson

Pudding Lane, EC3

Located in the City of London, Pudding Lane was the former site of Thomas Farriner's bakery, the place where the Great Fire of London first took hold in 1666. Sweeping through the capital over four days the fire wreaked havoc in its path, destroying 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St Paul’s Cathedral and much more.

 

Picture credit:Ben Sutherland

221B Baker Street, NW1

The home of famed fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, 221B Baker St is now the site of museum created in the super sleuth’s honour. With his trusty sidekick Watson, Holmes’ keen intellect helped him unravel many a puzzling mystery penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

 

Picture credit:黃色的浮板。

Gower Street, Bloomsbury

Famed English naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin took up residence in Gower Street between 1838 and 1842. Here he wrote part of his seminal text The Origin of the Species defining him as one of the leading contributors to Evolutionary Theory.

 

Picture credit:APS Museum

Abbey Road, NW8

One of the world’s most famous recording studios, Abbey Road studios has seen many famous recording artists step through its doors in its time including The Beatles, Pink Floyd and countless others. Tourists often head to the Abbey Road’s zebra crossing to recreate the cover of The Beatles album of the same name.

 

Picture credit:Diego Maia