List of tallest buildings in the United Kingdom

As of August 2024, there are 176 habitable buildings (used for living and working in, as opposed to masts and religious use) in the United Kingdom at least 100 metres (330 ft) tall,^[1] 132 of them in London, 24 in Greater Manchester, eight in Birmingham, four 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 (1,020 ft) 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 metres (520 ft). However, the spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt. At 111 metres (364 ft), 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.^[2] This protective policy, known as 'St Paul's Heights', had been in operation by the City of London since 1937.^[3] 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 (912 ft), One Canada Square at 235 m (771 ft), Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate at 230 m (750 ft), 122 Leadenhall Street at 225 m (738 ft), and 8 Bishopsgate at 204 m (669 ft). The five tallest residential buildings in the UK are also in London: Landmark Pinnacle at 233 m (764 ft), Newfoundland Quay at 220 m (720 ft), Aspen Tower at 216 m (709 ft), Valiant Tower at 215 m (705 ft), and One Park Drive at 205 m (673 ft).

London, Manchester and Birmingham are the only UK cities with skyscrapers taller than 150 m (490 ft).^[4] Other UK cities with notable tall buildings approved or under construction include Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Sheffield, while several others including Brighton and Hove, Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, Portsmouth and Reading are planning to construct tall buildings in the future.

As of May 2023, there are 33 habitable buildings at least 100 m (330 ft) tall under construction in the UK – 18 in London, six in Manchester, five in Birmingham, two in Salford, and one each in Leeds and Sheffield.