Running past history: Grade I and II listed buildings along the London Marathon route

Bald man with glasses and a short beard wearing a gray polo shirt, looking directly into the camera against a plain background.

By Andy Duarte Insurance Advisor

A person runs on Tower Bridge in London at sunrise, with the bridge and sky visible in the background.

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Every April, the London Marathon takes place, with more than 50,000 runners setting out on the 26.2-mile course. The route runs past over 1,000 years of architectural history, from royal palaces to Georgian masterpieces, taking in some of the UK’s most irreplaceable listed buildings. We’ve taken a look at just some of the listed properties and landmarks along the way.

A wide stone path flanked by two domed buildings with columns, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Old Royal Naval College - Grade I listed

Located just moments after the marathon start in Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is one of the most important Baroque complexes in Europe. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor in the late 17th century.

Today, runners pass between its grand domes, which form part of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site – a reminder that some of Britain’s most valuable historic structures still sit in active urban environments.

Cutty Sark - Grade I listed

Around mile six, runners loop past the Cutty Sark, the world’s last surviving tea clipper and a Grade I listed maritime structure. Although not a “building” in the traditional sense, it is legally protected and supported by bespoke engineering.

Aerial view of the Cutty Sark ship, roundabout, and market stalls in Greenwich, London, surrounded by trees and buildings.

The Tower Bridge in London spans the River Thames under a clear blue sky with some clouds.

Tower Bridge - Grade I listed

Arguably the most photographed stretch of the marathon, runners cross Tower Bridge at the halfway point – a Grade I listed Victorian engineering landmark completed in 1894.

The bridge remains fully operational while being protected for its historic significance – a balancing act common to many listed assets.

Tower of London - Grade I listed

Just beyond Tower Bridge stands the Tower of London, founded in 1066 by William the Conqueror and one of the most significant Grade I listed buildings in the UK. Over the centuries, it has served as fortress, royal residence, prison and treasury, encapsulating nearly a millennium of English history within its walls.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower remains a working historic complex, housing the Crown Jewels and welcoming millions of visitors each year.

Stone towers of the Tower of London with a British flag flying on a pole, set against a blue sky.

Skyline of modern glass office buildings at Canary Wharf, London, with residential buildings and the River Thames in front.

Canary Wharf - Grade II listed dock structures

As runners weave through Canary Wharf, the contrast between old and new becomes striking. Towering glass skyscrapers rise from what was once one of the world’s busiest docks, where Britain’s global trading power was built on timber, warehouses and quays. While the skyline speaks to modern finance, traces of the area’s industrial past still remain.

Scattered among the office blocks are Grade II listed dock walls, basins and historic structures – protected remnants of the West India Docks that date back to the early 19th century.

Palace of Westminster - Grade I listed

Approaching mile 25, runners pass Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, a Grade I listed UNESCO World Heritage Site rebuilt in the mid 19th century by Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin.

Following the 2019 fire and amid ongoing conservation works, it stands as a reminder of how vulnerable even the most monitored historic buildings can be.

Aerial view of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben beside the River Thames in central London.

Buckingham Palace with a garden of red flowers and the Queen Victoria Memorial under a blue sky with clouds.

Buckingham Palace - Grade I listed

The finishing stretch along The Mall leads runners to Buckingham Palace, a Grade I listed structure and working royal residence.

Despite its global profile, it shares a common truth with smaller listed homes: repairs must use traditional materials, crafts and specialist contractors.

Why listed buildings need specialist insurance

Throughout the London Marathon route, runners pass dozens of Grade I and II listed buildings – each legally protected and architecturally irreplaceable. What unites them is risk. Listed properties tend to have:

Longer rebuild timelines
Specialist requirements
Strict planning and consent obligations
Reinstatement costs that far exceed market value

At Abode, we understand that listed property insurance isn’t about square footage – it’s about history, craftsmanship, and responsibility.

Protecting the buildings we all pass

The London Marathon reminds us that some of Britain’s most important buildings aren’t hidden away – they’re part of everyday life.

If you own a listed property, ensuring it is properly protected is as important as preserving its history. Some standard insurance policies may not fully reflect the true cost, complexity and care required to reinstate a listed building.

At Abode, we are listed property insurance specialists, working with a panel of specialist insurers to help arrange cover that recognises the unique risks and responsibilities of heritage buildings.

If you’d like to speak to a member of the team, please call us on 01622 476 433.