People often say London isnt a city but a collection of villages. Its kind of true, and there are many small alleyways and funny little roads that seem to go nowhere.
Some skyscrapers are allowed, but there are specific places from which you must have an uninterrupted view of St. Pauls Cathederal dome, its such a significant landmark, even today. This prevents buildings in many areas exceeding 8 storeys in height and gives London its unique character.