Could Augmented Reality Let Tourists See A Lost London?
London is one of the world's most recognisable modern cities, but its historic buildings and streets remain a major attraction for tourists.
Author:James RowleyNov 05, 2026
London is one of the world's most recognisable modern cities, but its historic buildings and streets remain a major attraction for tourists. Much of the capital's appeal lies in its historic landmarks, some of which have stood for centuries. However, understanding what the Big Smoke looked like in yesteryear has traditionally meant relying on images or depictions on screen.
However, augmented reality is changing the way people experience London sites. There are already a few attractions that are using the technology, and this trend could continue if AR becomes mainstream.
The Entire History of London in 24 Minutes
How Entertainment Has Brought Historic London To Life
Unless you have a time machine, the best way to get a taste of what London was like in centuries gone by is through documentaries and entertainment. There have been countless films and television series that have depicted the city before the likes of the Shard and the Gherkin were constructed.
Period dramas such as Bridgerton and The Crown have helped bring different eras of London to life on screen, while films like From Hell and The Elephant Man showed what life was like in the city during the Victorian era.
Video games have explored historical London too. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate involves navigating a detailed recreation of the city in Victorian times. There are also slot games found at some of the UK’s best bingo sites, such as Cops ‘n’ Robbers and A Christmas Carol Megaways. Both of these have an atmospheric feel and show London’s past.
How Is Augmented Reality Bringing London's Past Back To Life?
Thanks to augmented reality, there are some settings around London that can be experienced as if they were set in the past. One of the best examples is the Crystal Palace AR experiencein Hyde Park. Tourists can use their smartphones to see a digital reconstruction of the enormous glass structure that hosted the Great Exhibition in 1851. The building was relocated after that, so modern visitors can now see what it looked like in its original setting.
There’s also the Old London Bridge AR experience near St Magnus the Martyr church. It makes it possible to explore a reconstruction of the medieval bridge that stood for over 600 years before being dismantled in 1831.
The Largest Building In The World (in 1851): The London History Show
Will Tourists Be Able To Explore London Across Different Periods?
These innovative uses of AR at London landmarks may provide a glimpse of future experiences for visitors to the capital. In the next few years, AR could become more commonplace, with projections that the market could be worth more than $1 trillion by 2033.
One day, tourists may be able to wear AR glasses and choose to walk around London during different periods of its history. This could be a great way to attract more people to the city and give them new ways to experience it.
Time travel may never exist, but technology such as AR may be the next best thing. From reconstructing lost landmarks to showing how familiar locations once looked, there’s great potential to combine historical research with immersive technology. If these experiences continue to develop, tourists may eventually be able to explore London’s rich history without leaving its modern streets.
James Rowley
Author
James Rowley is a London-based writer and researcher covering London life, cultural geography, London travel, live London webcam pages and selected public figures across entertainment, sport, business and public life.
For over 15 years, he has focused on verified sources, first-hand local context and clear explanations that help readers understand both places and people more deeply. His work combines street-level London knowledge with careful research into career credits, media work, business interests and, where relevant, transparently explained net worth estimates.
He writes and reviews articles published on LondonWebcam.
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