The Best Photo Spot in London

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All tourists take photos as souvenirs to remember their trips by, but some travelers have a special interest in elevating their photography. When visiting London, England, you might take the obligatory photos in front of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, or a classic red telephone booth to prove you were there, but if you have an artistic eye, these are hardly the shots that excite you. With the rise of social media, more travelers are hunting for sites that are architecturally or aesthetically interesting.

While naysayers decry “Instagram tourists” who briefly visit a place to nab a photo and leave just as quickly without truly interacting, I’d argue that they’re often doing the opposite. In search of unique photos, travel photographers (amateur or otherwise) search out archaeological or cultural sites they would otherwise pay no mind to, become invested, and end up learning a chapter from history in the process.

The ruins of St Dunstan-in-the-East in London are not only historically intriguing, but also visually arresting. Because the ceiling has collapsed and tendrils of vegetation hang over the walls in its stead, photographers are able to play with light as it infiltrates what used to be the darkened halls of a medieval church originally built around 1100AD. With every step you take, the perspective of your frame shifts drastically.

According to City of London:

“The Church of St Dunstan was originally built around 1100 and is a Grade I listed building. A new south aisle was added in 1391 and was repaired in 1631. It was severely damaged in 1666 by the Great Fire of London. 

The Church was again severely damaged in the Blitz of 1941. Wren’s tower and steeple survived the bombing. During the re-organisation of the Anglican Church after World war II it was decided not to rebuild St Dunstan’s. In 1967 the City of London decided to turn the remains into a public garden, which opened in 1970.”

We are blessed with ample evidence that religious structures existed on this site even earlier than Norman times. While Jennifer Ledfors’ paper St Dunstan in the East: An Architectural History of a Medieval London Parish Church agrees that the assumed foundation date of 960AD can’t be proven and the first documented reference to the church was from c1098-1108, it also suggests that “One clue to the early history of St Dunstan in the East is an enigmatic tomb structure discovered in September 1863…very similar to the tombs of some 7th-century AD archbishops found within the abbey church of St Augustine at Canterbury.”

Often when visiting museums, I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to wrap my head around the age of the artifacts. No matter how many times I remind myself that the Roman coin or bog-recovered longship holding my gaze has survived centuries upon centuries, it’s more than I can fathom. Contrastingly, visiting the ruins at St Dunstan-in-the-East is like living history. Modern visitors must take the Tube and then snake their way between futuristic skyscrapers to reach the alleyway where the best photo spot in London is hidden. Locals rest in the church’s tranquil garden square for quiet midday lunch breaks as if this remnant from the High Middle Ages is no different than any typical park bench.

This part of town is London’s historic center and is surrounded by the 32 boroughs of Greater London. The church is therefore an abrupt and unexpected juxtaposition to this metropolitan hub, providing a spiritual reminder of the city’s origins. Everything around us grew from this bygone era, so while it may feel like only St Dunstan’s survives, in truth all of London grows from the ruins.

How to Get to St Dunstan-in-the-East

To reach St Dunstan-in-the-East (Google Maps), take the Tube to the Monument or Tower Hill stops (Tower of London and the London Bridge are very nearby) and then walk about 5 minutes. It is sandwiched and hidden away between much larger buildings, so don’t lose faith if you feel you’ve taken the wrong path. You’re likely just 5 steps away from the best photo spot in London without realizing it yet. Entrance is free; simply amble into the church garden between 8am-7pm (or dusk, whichever is earlier) at your leisure and snap away. Note that it’s closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

This private guided tour of London includes St Dunstan-in-the-East, and this self-guided audio tour of London will take you there as well.

🇬🇧 Visiting St Dunstan-in-the-East is only one of many free things to do in London!
🏨 Find budget hostels in London here, and standard hotel options here.
✈️ Coming to England from further afield? Use an Airalo eSIM for affordable international cell data and don’t forget to protect your investment with travel insurance.

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