From towers and gherkins to spikes and steeples in all shapes, sizes, widths and girths, we know you'll love this count down of the UK's top 20 must-see buildings, followed by the world's top 20 must-go-to architectural marvels.
Compiled by DK's travel experts, the eclectic lists include buildings famed for their iconic status, beauty, architectural brilliance or cultural importance. These range from skyscrapers in Japan and pickle-shaped towers in London to ancient mosques in Damascus.
“Nothing says more about a place than its buildings. Whether they mirror their surroundings or completely redefine them, there’s no doubt that the buildings we visit across the world give a real sense of identity, history and character, and can often tell us a better story than the locals themselves,” said Douglas Amrine, DK travel publisher, who are celebrating their 50 millionth copy after 15 years of publishing.
“Even if you’ve not visited some of the buildings listed, you can still immerse yourself while at home. Armchair travellers can check out any one of our 100 travel guides, find out fascinating information about cultural places to visit and see a range of iconic illustrations and cutaways of the world’s most amazing buildings.”
From beautiful facades and dominant statures to places fit for a queen, see how many you can tick off your list!
UK Top 20
The Radcliffe Camera, reading room of the Bodleian Library, Oxford (1749)
A remarkable example of Palladian architecture – complete with a domed rotunda housing the reading room – the Radcliffe Camera was designed by James Gibbs and opened in 1749 to house the Bodleian Library.
St Pancras Station, London (1868)
On completion in 1868, St Pancras was the world’s largest enclosed space and today, 140 years on in its role as London’s Eurostar terminal, its scale and red-brick Gothic façade ensure it is still an iconic London landmark.
Edinburgh Castle (12th Century)
Dominating the city centre atop the geological remains of an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle embodies hundreds of years of Scottish history in an assemblage of buildings – military, palatial and penal – dating from the 12th to the 20th centuries.
The Gherkin, London (2004)
Completed in 2004, 30 St Mary Axe has transformed the London skyline with its innovative and unorthodox design which uses 24,000 sq m of glass – only one piece of which is curved.
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton (1874)
An intriguing combination of a stark and unadorned red-brick exterior with an Arts and Crafts-inspired interior, St Bartholomew’s vies for the title of Britain’s tallest church – despite lacking a tower or steeple.
Houses of Parliament, London (1834)
Rebuilt in their current form by architect Charles Barry after a catastrophic fire in 1834, the Houses of Parliament have survived subsequent dilapidation by pollution and wartime air raids to remain both a staunch symbol of British government and an astonishingly ornate piece of architecture.
Wales Millennium Centre (2004)
Intended to be ‘unmistakably Welsh and internationally outstanding’, the architects of the WMC drew inspiration from the people, landscape and traditions of Wales to create a triumphant building, completed in 2004 to great popular acclaim.
Burghley House, Stamford (1587)
Showcasing the architecture of William Cecil amidst gardens designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and with a stunning collection of art, Burghley is one of England’s largest and most magnificent Elizabethan houses.
The Barbican Centre, London (1976)
Conceived in the 60s and built in the 70s, the Barbican’s combination of unforgiving, Brutalist architecture with its position as Europe’s biggest multi-arts venue makes it as controversial and intriguing today as it ever has been.
Ely Cathedral, Ely (11th Century)
It took over 250 years to build Ely’s huge medieval cathedral, with its octagonal tower and lantern dominating the surrounding fenland. It has been subject to three major restorations and now houses some of England’s finest stone sculpture and stained glass.
The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh (2004)
Vastly over both budget and schedule, the innovative and unique Scottish Parliament buildings – inspired by the surrounding landscape, Scottish art and maritime tradition – remain amongst the most controversial and courageous architectural projects of recent years.
St Paul’s Cathedral, London (1675-1710)
Christopher Wren’s magnificent Baroque cathedral – the building of which was overseen by 5 monarchs between 1675 and 1710 – continues to dominate the London skyline and to epitomise the city’s indomitable spirit.
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth (2005)
As the centrepiece of the regeneration of Portsmouth Harbour and designed specifically to be a public facility, the 170-metre tall Spinnaker Tower is a marvel of architectural engineering which offers panoramic views over the Solent and boasts Europe’s largest glass floor.
Duart Castle, Isle of Mull (circa 13th century)
Perched atop the crags overlooking the Sound of Mull, Duart Castle – for 400 years the stronghold of the Clan MacLean – forms part of a chain of defensive castles and combines unbeatably spectacular location with fascinating history.
The Tate Modern, London (2000)
An enormously successful example of architectural regeneration and repurposing which, in 2000, transformed a redundant power station into one of London’s coolest cultural destinations.
Bantry House, Ireland (circa 1700)
Enjoying spectacular views over Bantry Bay and the Caha Mountains, the original Queen Anne house dates from around 1700 and with its later extensions represents a remarkable marriage of architecture and landscape.
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill (1935)
Commissioned in 1935 with the intention of making culture accessible to the people of Bexhill, the De La Warr Pavilion was England’s first Modernist public building, and following its 2005 restoration this concrete and steel landmark continues to serve the local community as was originally intended.
The Circus, Bath (1754)
Inspired by the design of Imperial Rome, this piece of hugely influential Classical architecture and innovation in urban planning, completed in 1754, defines the splendour of Georgian Bath and contains a frieze of over 500 symbols, each of them different.
The Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall (2001)
Built in the remains of a china clay quarry, the Eden Project is a futuristic marvel of architecture, engineering and horticulture, and, with its two enormous Biomes, is the biggest conservatory in the world.
Portmeirion, Wales (1925 – 1973)
Bizarre, fantastical and without question unique, Portmeirion is a custom-built Italianate village comprising 50 buildings in styles ranging from Gothic to Oriental which stands as testament to the outlandish vision of Clough Williams-Ellis, its creator.
World Top 20
• Taj Mahal, Agra, India
• Haghia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
• Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
• Basilica San Marco, Venice, Italy
• Flatiron building, New York
• Krak des Chevaliers, Homs, Syria
• The Bodleian Library, Oxford
• Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
• Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, India
• Big Ben/House of Parliament, London, UK
• Catedral Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
• Pompidou Centre, Paris, France
• Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
• The Parthenon, Athens, Greece
• The Umeda Sky Tower, Osaka, Japan
• Colosseum, Rome, Italy
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Burj Al Arab, Dubai
• Transamerica Building, San Francisco
• Mosque of Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco
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