As of February 2026, there are 183 habitable buildings (used for living or working, as opposed to masts or religious structures) in the United Kingdom that are at least tall. Of these, 132 are in London, 28 in Greater Manchester, 12 in Birmingham, four in Leeds, two each in Liverpool and Woking, and one each in Brighton and Hove, Sheffield and Swansea (the only such building 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 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. Completed in 1311, its central spire reached , but it collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt. At , St Paul's Cathedral was the tallest building in London from 1710. High-rise development in the capital was restricted if it obstructed protected views of the cathedral or other historic buildings. This protective policy, known as 'St Paul's Heights', has been in operation since 1937. St Paul's was eventually surpassed by the Millbank Tower in 1963.
Since the turn of the 21st century, the number of high-rise buildings in London has grown significantly. 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 , One Canada Square at , Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate at , 122 Leadenhall Street at , and 8 Bishopsgate at . The five tallest residential buildings in the UK are also in London: Landmark Pinnacle at , Newfoundland at , Aspen Tower at , Valiant Tower at , and One Park Drive at .
Manchester, Birmingham and Salford are the only other UK cities with skyscrapers taller than .
As of January 2026, there are 36 habitable buildings at least tall under construction in the UK: 22 in London, seven in Greater Manchester, four in Birmingham, and one each in Leeds, Glasgow and Sheffield.
This list includes topped-out and completed buildings in the UK that stand at least tall. Architectural height is considered, so masts and other elements added after the completion of the building are not considered.
Updated 28 January 2026
This list ranks all under-construction buildings in the UK that will stand at least tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.
Updated 11 November 2025
This list ranks all approved for construction buildings in the UK that will stand at least tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.
Updated 19 October 2024
This list ranks all buildings in the UK with outline planning approval that will stand at least tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.
Updated 4 September 2024
This list ranks all demolished and destroyed buildings in the UK that stood at least tall. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts.
This list ranks the tallest storeyed buildings in the UK throughout history, excluding freestanding clock towers, church spires and similar structures.
The table lists buildings measured by architectural height.
Updated 29 January 2026
List measures buildings by architectural height
Updated 9 September 2025