7 Architects Who Have Shaped London: Christopher Wren to Renzo Piano

John Nash, the architect behind Regent Street, was also responsible for designing Buckingham Palace
John Nash, the architect behind Regent Street, was also responsible for designing Buckingham Palace | © Peter Spencer/Pexels
Vicky Jessop

London pulls in over 17 million tourists a year for many reasons – one is its mix of historic and cutting-edge buildings, created over the centuries by a select group of influential architects. These seven had the vision and determination to shape the London we know today.

Christopher Wren

Most famous building: St Paul’s Cathedral

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Among British history’s greatest architects, Sir Christopher Wren is most famous for St Paul’s Cathedral. It took three and a half decades to complete this London landmark, which Wren described as his “greatest work”. Born in 1632, Wren wasn’t just an architect, he was a physicist, astronomer and one of the founding members of the Royal Society. He became involved in the repairs of St Paul’s following the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the project consumed much of his adult life. As the King’s Surveyor of Works, Wren oversaw the construction and renovation of many other London landmarks, including the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace, plus 51 churches nationwide.

St Paul’s is at the heart of the City of London

Renzo Piano

Most famous building: the Shard

While Genoese architect Renzo Piano has only designed one building for the capital, he’s certainly made his mark on its skyline with the Shard: London’s tallest tower at 309.6 metres (1,016 feet). Its tapering, elegant silhouette is a testament to the talents of a man who doesn’t actually like skyscrapers – he previously described them as “aggressive phallic fortresses” – but was able to create a contemporary landmark that has presence without being overbearing. Piano has developed an international reputation for his considered and accessible designs, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Whitney Museum in New York and the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa, the capital of the French territory of New Caledonia. The Shard’s impressive 69th-floor viewing platform has proved immensely popular with visitors since the building was inaugurated in 2012.

The Shard is the only building in London designed by Renzo Piano

Charles Barry

Most famous building: Houses of Parliament

The history of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster can be traced back to the Middle Ages but, in 1834, the majority of the buildings on the site were destroyed by a fire. Two years later, Sir Charles Barry and his partner Augustus Pugin won a competition to rebuild the Palace of Westminster, where the two houses of the UK parliament meet, in Gothic splendour. Despite a number of setbacks, it was completed in 1870 and is still standing in much the same state today. The Houses of Parliament weren’t Barry’s only triumph. He went on to build the Reform Club – one of his finest Italianate buildings – and the Grade II*-listed Royal College of Surgeons.

Charles Barry rebuilt the Houses of Parliament after a devastating fire almost completely destroyed the original structure

Norman Foster

Most famous building: the Gherkin

Otherwise known as Baron Foster of Thames Bank, Foster is one of Britain’s most prolific architects and the person responsible for many of London’s most recognisable contemporary buildings, including the Gherkin. A local of Stockport in Greater Manchester, he took a keen interest in engineering and design from a young age and, in his early 30s, founded his own company, Foster + Partners, which quickly gained a reputation for high-tech industrial design. Foster was also the brains behind the Gherkin’s smaller, lopsided relation, London City Hall, as well as Wembley Stadium, the Millennium Bridge and the vast glass ceiling of the Great Court at the British Museum.

The Gherkin juts out from among more traditionally designed buildings

Denys Lasdun

Most famous building: National Theatre

A major proponent of Modern architecture in Britain, Denys Lasdun is best known for his Brutalist creations, most notably the National Theatre. Lasdun’s designs were often controversial and the National Theatre was no exception: its imposing blockish form and concrete exterior polarised public opinion. Prince Charles went so far as to describe it as “a clever way of building a nuclear power station in the middle of London without anyone objecting”. Lasdun cemented his signature Brutalist style during the 1960s and 1970s with the Grade I-listed Royal College of Physicians and his ‘cluster blocks’ in Bethnal Green.

The National Theatre divided public opinion when it was first built

John Nash

Most famous building: Regent Street

Prominent Georgian architect John Nash was responsible for designing modern London and iconic buildings such as Buckingham Palace. Born in London in 1752, he remained here for most of his life, except for a brief stint in Wales, and was at the forefront of the Picturesque movement. Over a 50-year career, Nash worked almost exclusively for the Prince Regent, transforming the streets of Central London, including Piccadilly Circus, St James’s Park and the signature curve of Regent Street. He also designed Marble Arch, which was intended to be the gateway to Buckingham Palace but instead became the entrance to Hyde Park and the Great Exhibition of 1851.

John Nash, the architect behind Regent Street, was also responsible for designing Buckingham Palace

Sir John Soane

Most famous building: Sir John Soane’s Museum

The son of a bricklayer, Soane rose to the top of his profession, sitting alongside Nash in the Office of Works. He also became a professor at the Royal Academy, an institution that played a central role in his career. His most famous work is his home in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, an Aladdin’s cave of antiquities and architectural salvage that is now open to the public for free. Not as famous but equally intriguing is his semi-rural retreat in Ealing, Pitzhanger Manor, where he entertained guests including JMW Turner and King Louis Philippe I of France. The house, and its impressive gallery, is due to reopen to the public in 2019 after extensive renovation work. Soane’s friendship with Prime Minister William Pit led to his appointment as architect to the Bank of England – sadly, his redesign of the bank was largely demolished in the 20th century – and 45 years of consistent work. Other major works in London include Dulwich Picture Gallery, Britain’s first purpose-built public art gallery, Royal Hospital Chelsea and Freemasons’ Hall.

The facade of Sir John Soane’s Museum hides the many treasures within

Discover more London landmarks in this guide to the capital’s iconic buildings.

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