From colourful city corners to historic stretches packed with character, certain UK streets seem to live permanently on camera rolls and Instagram feeds. Whether it’s bold architecture, music history or iconic shopping landmarks, these famous streets in the UK have become favourites for tourists and photographers alike. 

To find out which ones are snapped the most, we’ve ranked the UK’s top 10 most photographed streets, plus shared expert street photography tips from Lizzie James, Product Specialist at Jessops, to help you capture them at their very best.

Contents

Methodology

The UK’s top 10 overall most photographed streets

The UK’s top 5 most photographed landmark streets

The UK’s top 5 most photographed historic streets

The UK’s top 5 most photographed cultural streets

The UK’s top 5 most photographed shopping streets

The UK’s top 5 most photographed steep streets

Street photography tips

The UK’s most photographed streets were identified and shortlisted based on consistent coverage in reputable travel guides, national media and official tourism websites, as well as their wider cultural and visual significance.

To determine rankings, Instagram hashtag volumes for each street were analysed. Locations were then ordered from highest to lowest hashtag count to create the final top 10 index.

During the festive season, the Christmas lights become a major attraction in their own right, pulling in photographers keen to capture glowing displays and evening shots filled with colour and atmosphere.

The UK’s top five most photographed landmark streets are all places with strong cultural or historical pull. Abbey Road takes the top spot, closely followed by Penny Lane, with both streets made famous by The Beatles and photographed as much for their stories as their surroundings. 

Edinburgh features twice in the top five, with the Royal Mile and Princes Street drawing cameras thanks to their historic settings and iconic views.

Cultural streets are usually photographed because there’s always something going on. They’re colourful and full of everyday life, from street art and posters to shopfronts, food spots, and people just passing through. Places like Brick Lane don’t feel staged or tidy, and that’s exactly what makes them interesting to photograph. You can turn a corner and get a completely different shot without really trying.

What stands out from the list is where a lot of these streets are based. Three of the top five are in the north of the UK — Canal Street in Manchester, Leith Walk, Edinburgh and Smithdown Road in Liverpool.

When it comes to shopping streets, it’s no surprise that London dominates the list, with Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and Bond Street all making the top five. 

They’re photographed not just for the shops themselves but for the atmosphere around them, from the scale and constant flow of Oxford Street to the curved architecture of Regent Street and the colour and personality packed into Carnaby Street.

Only one street sits outside the capital. Deansgate in Manchester holds its own alongside London’s shopping streets, lined with a mix of high-street favourites, department stores and independent shops, all set among trams, modern buildings and older architecture.

Steep streets clearly make an impression on camera, and Edinburgh really stands out here. Castle Hill and the approaches to Calton Hill take the top two spots, both rising up from central Edinburgh and photographed heavily for their height, drama and wide views over the city. When streets climb quickly, they naturally give photos depth, with long sightlines, rising buildings and views that feel earned once you reach the top.

Beyond Edinburgh, places like Steep Hill in Lincoln and the upper viewpoints in Rye show the same pattern. A sharp incline, uneven surfaces and a clear view at the end all help turn an ordinary street into something more striking on camera.

1. Leverage light and shadows

Lizzie says: “Street photography isn’t just about what’s in front of you, it’s about how the light hits it. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal because the light sits lower, creating longer shadows and more texture across pavements and buildings. That contrast can add real depth and drama to a scene.” 

“If the light is softer — like on an overcast day — you’ll get more even skin tones and cleaner detail, which works well for closer, more intimate shots.”

2. Prepare your camera settings

Lizzie says: “Street moments often don’t wait for you to adjust your camera settings, so it’s worth getting everything dialled in before you start walking.”

“If you’re new to street photography, aperture priority (A or Av mode) is a great place to begin. Set your aperture around f/5.6 to f/8 to keep enough of the scene in focus, and let the camera handle shutter speed for you. Keep your ISO on Auto, but set a maximum limit you’re comfortable with (for example, ISO 3200) so your images don’t get too grainy in lower light.”

“If you’re more confident, manual mode gives you more control. Start with a shutter speed of at least 1/250th of a second to freeze people walking past, then adjust your aperture and ISO to suit the light.” 

Lizzie adds: “The key is to have a baseline in mind. If you already know what settings work in bright sun versus overcast conditions, you won’t miss the moment because you’re looking down at your camera. It means you can focus on timing, framing and what’s unfolding in front of you.”

To learn more, read our blog on A Beginner’s Guide to Camera Settings.

3. Choose a shutter speed that freezes real life

“Movement is often a big part of street photography, so shutter speed really matters,” explains Lizzie. “If you want to freeze people mid-step or capture natural expressions without blur, start at around 1/250th of a second. That’s usually fast enough to keep walking subjects sharp.”

In simple terms, the higher the shutter speed (like 1/500th or 1/1000th of a second), the more it freezes motion. This is useful on busy streets where people, cyclists or cars are moving quickly.

On the other hand, a lower shutter speed (like 1/60th or 1/30th of a second) lets more light in but introduces motion blur. That can be intentional, for example, blurring passing traffic while keeping buildings sharp to show energy and movement. 

Just keep in mind that slower shutter speeds can also introduce camera shake, especially if you’re shooting handheld. Using a tripod or placing your camera on a stable surface can help keep buildings and static elements sharp.

“There’s no single ‘correct’ setting,” Lizzie adds. “Just decide what you want the photo to feel like. If you want crisp, frozen moments, go faster. If you want a sense of pace and motion, slow it down slightly and see what happens.”

Read our Beginner’s Guide to Shutter Speed to learn more.

4. Get closer

Some of the most powerful street photos happen when you step into the scene rather than observing from across the road. “Distance can sometimes make an image feel detached,” says Lizzie. “When you move closer, you capture expressions, gestures and small details that bring the frame to life.”

“For example, instead of photographing a busy market from the pavement opposite, step in closer to a stall and focus on hands exchanging money, steam rising from food, or someone laughing mid-conversation. Those details instantly make the image feel more immersive.”

A wider lens — around 24mm or 35mm on a full-frame camera (roughly 16mm–24mm on APS-C) — lets you stand physically closer to your subject while still fitting plenty into the frame. That means you can capture a person and the street around them without needing to step back.

“Wide lenses show more of the scene,” Lizzie explains. “Because you’re closer, the viewer feels closer too. You get the subject, the background and the atmosphere all in one shot with this lens.”

It’s also important to stay respectful and remember photo etiquette. Be aware of local rules around photographing people in public spaces, and use common sense — if someone looks uncomfortable, always ask for permission. 

5. Use composition and geometry

“Street scenes can look chaotic at first glance,” says Lizzie, “However, there’s usually structure hiding in plain sight. Instead of trying to capture everything, slow down and look for shapes and lines that organise the frame for you. Road markings, building edges, window grids, railings, crossings and even shadows can all act as natural guides for the eye.”

“If you spot repetition, like a row of windows or lamp posts, use it,” she adds. “Then wait for someone to walk into that structure. Curves in a road can lead the viewer through the image, while strong verticals and horizontals help balance busy scenes.”

Geometry gives your photo a foundation, so even when there’s movement and noise, the image still feels intentional rather than accidental.

Now you’ve seen which streets across the UK are getting the most attention, the next step is heading out and capturing them your way. Whether you’re drawn to bold city scenes, quiet historic corners or fast-paced shopping streets, the right setup makes all the difference.

From lightweight cameras that won’t slow you down to versatile lenses perfect for wide street scenes, Jessops has the gear to help you shoot with confidence. Not sure which settings or kit suit your style? Our experts are always on hand with practical advice to help you get the shot.

For more inspiration, tips and real-world photography guidance, explore our blog, contact our friendly experts online or pop in-store to chat with the team.