Photographer-Approved: Best London Locations for Your Golden Hour Photos
London's golden hour is truly enchanting. The city's famous skyline, quaint streets, and beautiful parks are bathed in that soft, dreamy light that photographers adore. Whether you're aiming for romantic portraits or timeless elopement photography, London offers pure magic as the sun goes down. To make your golden hour photos truly shine, here are some of the most magical London locations.
What is “Golden Hour”?
Golden hour in London happens just after sunrise and right before sunset, and is arguably the most magical time for photography. As the sun dips low on the horizon, it casts a warm, soft, golden glow across the city, providing a light that is far less harsh than the midday sun.
The golden hour transforms both famous landmarks and quieter neighborhoods into warm silhouettes. The city's unique blend of modern glass buildings and centuries-old stone structures allows the golden tones to create stunning reflections, long shadows, and a neutral warmth.
Golden Hour Locations in London
Westminster Bridge, South Bank
The soft, golden light of the evening beautifully illuminates the river, creating warm highlights and stunning reflections. This setting offers the perfect backdrop to capture iconic landmarks such as the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament, all bathed in that dreamy glow.
Primrose Hill is the perfect spot for those amazing golden hour photos, with views of the London skyline that will seriously take your breath away. Because it's so open, you can get creative and silhouettes, shots with stunning backlighting, and those epic, sweeping cityscapes. The setting sun just bathes everything in this beautiful, soft golden light.
The golden hour really lights up the historic St. Paul's dome, giving it a cool, cinematic vibe with the reflected sunlight. It has a warm, classic feel because the sun often hits the cathedral just right around that time.
The quiet streets, charming corners, and pastel townhouses take on a beautiful glow during the golden hour. This warm light perfectly enhances the neighborhood's soft, airy aesthetic, making it ideal for portrait sessions.
This spot during the golden hour is seriously like a fairytale! It's one of London's dreamiest natural places, with wide-open fields and super lush, tall green grasses. The sunlight coming through the trees makes for some really magical and romantic photoshoots.
Need a few more locations in London for that perfect spot? Check out my blog: The best family photo spots in London for more information!
Best Time to Capture the Golden Hour Glow
Since London is packed with tall buildings, parks, and narrow streets, the "golden hour" is perfect for photography, and you get that lovely low, warm light. You can snag amazing photos all year, too, as every season has its own perks:
Spring: Think soft, pastel light and super clean, crisp sunsets.
Summer: More glow time! The sun sets later, giving you loads of flexibility for shooting.
Autumn: Honestly, one of the best times for golden hour photos. It's ideal for those dreamy, cinematic portraits with all the warm, orange leaves in the parks and cities. You get this rich, moody light that's fantastic.
Winter: Sunsets might be shorter, but they offer really soft photo ops. The low sun all day is super flattering, and those earlier sunsets make scheduling easier for cozy seasonal shots and cityscapes.
Whether we're shooting your couple's portraits or your destination wedding, London's golden hour really brings out the city's most gorgeous, dreamy colors. With the right spot, a little prep, and the guidance of your London photographer, the golden hour can make even the simplest moments totally unforgettable.
Be sure to contact me and book your photoshoot session today!
Have you settled on the ideal London photoshoot location but are still struggling to decide on the perfect outfit? Check out What to wear to your London Photoshoot for some tips from your London photographer today!