List of tallest buildings in the United Kingdom



As of January 2024, there are 155 habitable buildings (used for living and working in, as opposed to masts and religious use) in the United Kingdom at least 100 m tall, 118 of them in London, 20 in Greater Manchester, six in Birmingham, three in Leeds, two each in Liverpool and Woking, and one each in Brighton and Hove, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Swansea (the only such structure outside England).

The Shard in Southwark, London, is currently the tallest completed building in the UK and was the tallest in the European Union until the UK's departure in January 2020; it was topped out at a height of 310 m in March 2012, inaugurated in July 2012 and opened to the public in February 2013.

Historically, the nation's tallest structures were typically cathedrals, church spires, and industrial chimneys. Lincoln Cathedral held the title of the tallest building in the UK (and indeed the world) for several centuries. Originally completed in 1311, its central spire reached a height of 160 m. However, the spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt. At 111 m, St Paul's Cathedral was the tallest building in London from 1710. High-rise development was restricted in the capital if it would obstruct protected views of the cathedral and other historic buildings. This protective policy, known as 'St Paul's Heights', had been in operation by the City of London since 1937. St Paul's was eventually surpassed by the 118 metre (387 ft) Millbank Tower in 1963.

Since the turn of the 21st century, the number of high-rise buildings in London has grown significantly. Currently, the UK's tallest office buildings are all located in the City of London and the capital's secondary business district of Canary Wharf. The five tallest are 22 Bishopsgate at 278 m, One Canada Square at 235 m, Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate at 230 m, 122 Leadenhall Street at 225 m, and 8 Bishopsgate at 204 m. The five tallest residential buildings in the UK are London's Landmark Pinnacle at 233 m, Newfoundland Quay at 220 m, Valiant Tower at 215 m, One Park Drive at 205 m, and Manchester's Deansgate Square South Tower at 201 m.

London, Manchester and near neighbour Salford are the only UK cities with skyscrapers taller than 150 m. Birmingham is set to join them with Octagon and One Eastside currently under construction and both expected to reach 155 m. Other UK cities with notable tall buildings approved or under construction include Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Brighton and Hove and Portsmouth, while several others including Cardiff, Glasgow and Milton Keynes are planning to construct tall buildings in the future.

As of May 2023, there are 45 habitable buildings at least 100 m tall under construction in the UK – 25 in London, 12 in Greater Manchester, seven in Birmingham, and one in Leeds.

Tallest existing buildings
This list includes topped-out and completed buildings in the UK that stand at least 100 m tall. Architectural height is considered, so masts and other elements added after the completion of the building are not considered.

Updated 28 June 2022

Buildings above 100m
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Tallest buildings under construction
This list ranks all under-construction buildings in the UK that will stand at least 100 m tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Updated 29 March 2024

Tallest approved buildings
This list ranks all approved for construction buildings in the UK that will stand at least 100 m tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Updated 26 Apr 2024

This list ranks all buildings in the UK with outline planning approval that will stand at least 100 m tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Updated 29 December 2022

Tallest proposed buildings
This list ranks some proposed buildings in the UK that, if built as planned, would stand at least 100 m tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Updated 29 December 2022

Tallest demolished buildings
This list ranks all demolished and destroyed buildings in the UK that stood at least 100 m tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.

Timeline of tallest buildings
This list ranks the tallest storied buildings in the UK throughout history, excluding free standing clock towers, church spires and other such structures.

Cities with buildings >100m
List measures buildings by architectural height

Updated 28 June 2023

Cities with buildings >100m (Under Construction)
List measures buildings by architectural height

Updated 28 June 2023