Something a lot of our scholars discover only after moving to the UK is how early the sun sets during the winter months. But, the very positive part to this is how beautifully buildings across the UK light up! Of course, the lead up to Christmas is an added bonus for seeing many cities and towns really light up in all sorts of wonderful ways. So, we tasked our scholars to go forth and discover some of these magical buildings with their bright lights on and we bring to you, six buildings that look amazing at night.
The Tate Modern is the UK’s national modern art gallery. Situated on Bankside, the Tate Modern forms one part of the Tate group’s galleries. Admission is free.
Srikrupa Raghunathan Vedal, India
‘It was in October that the feeling of not knowing anything about the city in which I live was starting to seep in. So, I decided to go to the Tate Modern art gallery one Saturday afternoon as the viewing deck on the top floor is open until 9:30PM.
After an awesome gallery tour, I decided it was time to visit the top floor to watch the sunset but the elevators were jam-packed! I made the decision to walk up the stairs which meant I’d missed the actual sunset but, I did get a view of London in the evening light instead.
The view was mesmerising. St Paul’s Cathedral, the River Thames, Victorian houses, bridges, and modern scintillating glass buildings; all narrating the story of London’s history and future.’
The Royal Albert Hall was opened as a concert hall in 1871 by Queen Victoria. It remains one of the UK’s leading concert venues hosting both British and international performers each year in over 390 shows.
Feifan Li, China
‘This building is a world-renowned concert hall – the Royal Albert Hall.
Of course, it doesn’t just look amazing at night; it’s also fabulous in the daytime. Promoting arts and sciences is the most important mission for this hall. Including tours, over 1.7 million people enjoy experiences here every year, with millions more experiencing the events through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels.
The hall shines in the darkness, just like a light of eternal music and beauty. With Christmas coming around, it sings for everyone, and it touches everyone.’
There are 3 owls on Leeds City Council’s coat of arms and 24 other statues or paintings of owl’s dotted around the city which form the Leeds Owl Trail. If you’re in the area, see how many you can spot.
Azim Kassim, Brunei
‘The majestic golden owl symbolising justice at the Leeds Town Hall as well a view of the iconic University of Leeds Parkinson building light up the university area and the city amazingly at nights.’
To mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, the Tower of London hosted a large display of 888,246 ceramic poppies intended to mark each British or Colonial life lost during the war. In 2018, to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War, 10,000 torches were lit up.
Maven Ten, Malaysia
‘This photograph was taken during the Beyond the Deepening Shadow: The Tower Remembers exhibition which was held in commemoration of the centenary end of the First World War.
As I gazed at the fires lit by the volunteers which seemed so vast, so infinite, I pondered on the lives lost during WWI and the sheer importance of keeping world peace.’
Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is consistently ranked amongst the top 200 universities in the world.
Ebot Jean Sanyi, Cameroon
‘The University and King’s College of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 and is now an integral part of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Passing through the High Street on which the King’s College building is found everyday going for lectures has never been as amazing as on this faithful day when I walked past it at night. It felt like my very first time passing through this road I use regularly. The lighting effect was so amazing and made the building look so different to its daytime appearance that I couldn’t pass by without taking a quick photograph of it.’
London’s 24 hour tube services are currently available on Fridays and Saturdays on the Victoria, Jubilee, and most of the Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines which makes these days opportune times to see London by night.
Burak Unal, Turkey
‘London is a great city for both day-birds and night-owls!
I was shocked when it started to get dark at 5pm, however the sunshine was replaced by the lights of London and all of a sudden, the historic buildings and modern skyscrapers are competing against each other to attract more people with their lights. With 24-hour tube and bus service, London welcomes night-owls for a bright night!
When I go for a long walk of London, I usually start in my favourite area of Southbank and finish my journey at London Bridge. I take a final look over the city and its lights on the River Thames and I think what a privilege it is to live in London!’
Thank you to all of our scholars who submitted pictures and stories to this theme.
To submit your own pictures and stories to the latest themes, please check your most recent Scholargram for submission details.
It’s the lead up to Christmas – a joyful time in the UK, but also the start of winter with the days getting shorter and the nights longer. As the cold weather sets in, it’s natural to miss home and all of your homely comforts. Not all days in any new country will be easy […]
It’s been over a month since Orientation 2018 and no doubt you will now be familiar with Chevening’s annual welcome event having read the official news story and unofficial blog but one voice we’ve been saving is that of our scholars who were officially welcomed to the UK on 20 October 2018 at the ExCel […]
Fresher’s week; the first week of any UK university. A week before the first academic term begins where new students can network, learn more about their university, and generally, settle in. It’s a week where student unions run many events for new students including trips, information sessions, and socialising sessions. As new students, our scholars […]