Skip to content
Friday 21 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,816.56
+0.64%
DAX
26,136.56
+0.59%
CAC 40
8,484.43
+0.37%
STOXX 50
6,462.22
+0.63%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Friday 27 March 2015 12:05 pm

Earth Hour 2015 UK: London will be plunged into darkness on the Southbank as its biggest landmarks go dark

By: Lynsey Barber

Add as a preferred source on Google

Some of London’s biggest landmarks will fall dark on Saturday night, plunging parts of the capital into darkness to raise awareness of climate change.

From 8.30pm, landmarks across the capital including the Gherkin, Big Ben, and the London Eye will fall dark for the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Earth Hour.

For the first time, The Ritz hotel with its name famously written in lights, will go dark for the event. It will be the first time in the hotel's 109-year history its exterior lights, including the signage, has been switched off.

Other landmarks, with a focus on the Southbank this year, include:

  • The Gherkin
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Tower Bridge
  • Old Vic
  • London Eye
  • Mondrian Hotel London
  • Southbank Centre
  • Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar
  • Park Plaza Hotel County Hall and Park Plaza Hotel Westminster Bridge
  • BFI Southbank
  • BFI IMAX
  • The National Theatre,
  • Skylon and OXO Tower Restaurant
  • The Ritz

It's the third year the capital's biggest landmarks have been plunged into darkness, along with the rest of the country and more than 100 other countries around the world marking the global event. Londoners are being encouraged to take part by switching their own lights off for Earth Hour.

Here's what some of the capital's biggest attractions looked like in previous years during Earth Hour.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben fully illuminated

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben with the lights switched off

Lights out at Canary Wharf

The Millennium Bridge across to St Pauls

Piccadilly fully lit

Piccadilly with its famous billboard ads turned off

All images: Getty

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Business

Related Topics

  • bridges and landmarks
  • London buildings

Trending Articles

  • House prices in wealthy London boroughs fall by up to £300,000

  • As it happened: Miners fuel FTSE 100 recovery; oil jumps as Trump claims Strait of Hormuz

  • City law firm sues prominent Emirati business family

  • Amanda Blanc has worked her magic at Aviva

  • As it happened: FTSE 100 rallies after JD Sports drags on blue chips; oil jumps again

More from Morning Wire

  • Francis Hotel Bath: Old-world glamour meets new-school cool

    Life&Style
    Elegant Francis Hotel Bath guest room with dark green paneled walls, brown leather sofa, and floral headboard.
  • Beyond your 9-5: things to explore in the Square Mile 

    Partner
    Three friends enjoying drinks on a rooftop bar with St Pauls Cathedral dome in the background.
  • While rivals scramble to merge, the world’s biggest law firm is playing the long game

    Law
    Skyline of Canada financial district with modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks under a clear blue sky
  • Devolution should mean regions competing for investment

    Opinion
    Manchester skyline with iconic landmarks during a Belfast speech event, highlighting urban landscape and architectural bea...
  • City law firms considering corporate-style models amid capital crunch

    Law
    Skyline of Canada financial district with modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks under a clear blue sky
  • For Albarino in the City, head to Humble Grape

    Toast the City
    Libby Albarino holding a bottle of Zarate wine and a glass by the ocean
  • Martin Williams: My top picks for the Toast the City Awards 2026

    Life&Style
    Craig Johnston, Martin Williams, and Pierre Minotti, culinary and hospitality leaders.
  • Why Albania’s Tirana could be the city break of the future

    Life&Style
    Radisson Collection hotel in Tirana, Albania, featuring a swimming pool, palm trees, and an external fire escape.
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook