Top 10 Locations for a London Proposal

Planning to propose to your partner is an incredibly exciting time. However, it can also be a little stressful when it comes to planning and especially finding the right location. I got engaged myself a couple of years ago, so I know this first-hand.

After helping to plan and photograph 300+  engagements for amazing couples I thought I’d share some of my favourite London locations for a proposal. For anyone currently planning to propose to their partner I hope you find this helpful. Good luck and a massive congratulations in advance!

[All photos taken by Matt Badenoch]

A classic London backdrop, Tower Bridge is a stunning bit of architecture (not to be confused with the less visually interesting, yet more historically important London Bridge) opened in 1894. If you’re looking to propose with Tower Bridge in the back ground I’d recommend 1 of 3 spots. On the South bank: 1) on the grass next to City Hall, 2) along the river next to the Shad Thames, 3) (on the north bank) next to the ‘Girl with Dolphin’ fountain.

Bonus location, if you go at low tide you could even propose on the Thames beach (above photo).

2. Big Ben & Parliament

One of London’s most famous historic landmarks and the centre of Government for the United Kingdom. While Big Ben and Parliament offer a great backdrop for a London proposal, the downside is that the area is usually packed with tourists. There is, however, a spot right next to Westminster Bridge (East end, South side) where it’s a little quieter and enjoys great views of Parliament across the river.

If you’d like to see more photos from this location, check out this Big Ben Proposal Story.

3. The London Eye

One of London’s skyline’s more modern additions, the London Eye was built in 2000 to celebrate the millennium. Fun fact: the Eye was built as a temporary structure only intended to last 5 years, but after proving incredibly popular with tourists, the lease was extended.

You can either propose on London Eye itself, or you can propose with a beautiful backdrop of the London Eye along the Thames or on the North East corner of Jubilee Gardens.

4. The Shard

The tallest landmark on London’s skyline, the Shard is situated above London Bridge Train Station. It is a great option for your proposal if you wanted the intimacy of a hotel room, with some of the most amazing views of the capital.

5. St Dunstan in the East

Hidden away in London’s city, the Church Garden St Dunstan in the East is a little Oasis. Known mainly by locals, this gem features old ruins and gardens to explore. Around lunchtime, during the week you’ll find the benches full of office workers with their packed lunches enjoying a break from the rat race.

Note that Saint Dunstan does have opening and closing hours which at the time of writing this are 8am – 7pm, every day, all year round.

As I haven’t yet photographed a proposal at St Dunstan’s Ana of Luisa Starling Photography kindly gave me one of her amazing photos to use in this article.

6. Old Royal Naval College

If you want an amazing back drop without the crowds, then the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich might be the perfect spot for your proposal. This beautiful architectural centre piece of Maritime Greenwich is a World Heritageage site and a former palace, hospital, and Naval College.

Less known to tourists, the grounds of this beautiful building are surprisingly quiet. If you’d like a little more privacy while you propose this is a great option. You’ve also got Greenwich Park and the Cutty Sark near by if you’d like to have a photo shoot following your proposal.

7. Greenwich Park

Perfect for those who want a more intimate spot and one of my all time favourite proposal locations – Greenwich Park. The Park, previously a game reserve for King Henry VIII is filled with a range of open areas, tree fenced paths and a hill with an amazing viewpoint over London.

The best spot in the park to propose is the One Tree Hill Vista Point, is a hidden gem known mostly only to locals. It offers a great combination of intimacy and amazing views over the city of London, perfect for a proposal. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph several couples getting engaged here.

8. St James Park

One of my favourite of London’s Royal Parks, St James Park has a lot to offer. There’s various flower gardens, exotic trees and a lake with a range of birds from pelicans to owls and Royal Swans.. You can even enjoy views of The London Eye and Big Ben from the East end of the Park.

Cutting through the centre of the park you have The Mall, will Bucking Palace at one end and Admiralty Arch at the other.

9. Kyoto Gardens

One of my favourite London hidden gems is this picturesque Japanese garden found in Holland Park (just to the east of Hyde Park). The intimate park is filled with beautiful Japenese trees, colourful plants and stone lanterns. The Kyoto Garden (opened in 1991) was a gift from the city of Kyoto to represent the long friendship between Great Britain and Japan.

As you wander around, prepare to be greeted by friendly squirrels (I’ve had one climb up my leg before in search of snacks) and colourful peacocks. The small bridge next to the waterful makes a lovely spot, with a beautiful backdrop, to pop the question.

Please note that it can become quite busy at weekends.

10. Hyde Park

The biggest of London’s parks, Hyde Park has a lot of options for your proposal. My personal favourite is probably the tree avenue leading up to the Albert Memorial (pictured in the photo above).

How crowded will it be?

London is a busy city, which may be a bonus for some, while others might prefer something a little more intimate. For the latter, London has some beautiful spots which are less well known to tourists. Even some of London’s more popular locations have some quieter spots just around the corner. It’s also possible to sometimes hire private areas in restaurants, bars and rooftops for greater privacy, but these do come at a cost.

What time of day should I propose?

If you’d like to avoid crowds of tourists I’d recommend proposing in the morning. Tourists tend to start venturing out on mass around 10 am and by 1 pm most places can get pretty crowded. If you are planning an early morning or late evening proposal, do check the sunrise and sunset times so you don’t accidentally end up in the dark.

What time of year should I propose in London?

London’s parks are going to look very different depending on what time of year you choose to propose. The spring offers beautiful colours as the flowers bloom. In the summer there are amazing canopies of green. The autumn (potentially my favourite season) offers incredible canopies of yellows, reds, oranges and browns. Winter is less inviting.

Some of London’s urban areas offer different attractions depending on the time of year. For example, in the winter Somerset House has an ice rink, the Southbank a Christmas Market, and Hyde Park a pop up theme park called Winter Wonderland.

Where can I propose in London if it’s raining?

While it doesn’t rain in London as much as its reputation suggests, it is always good to have a Plan B. If you’re unlucky with the weather and don’t want to delay your proposal you can enjoy one of London’s covered areas, such as Borough Market, The Barbican, Covent Garden and Leadenhall Market.

Do I want a proposal photographer to capture the special moment?

With your proposal being such a special moment, you may wish to relive the moment in years to come through photos. They’re also a great way to share the experience with your loved ones. As a bonus, your photographer would also be able to help support you in planning your proposal with location, timing and logistic recommendations. If you’re interested, you can find out more about my proposal photography packages here.