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I by no means get uninterested in all the attractive views in London. Although it’s a sprawling metropolis, it’s nonetheless lovely, and has a endless cluster of buildings, excessive and low, historic and trendy, with panoramic views that showcase the varied structure.
I positive love trying a metropolis from all of the a number of views and viewpoints, so throughout our trip in London, we made positive to move excessive and low to find one of the best views of England’s capital.
When in search of the BEST views in London, you desire a view that reveals scenes of its distinctive skyline, which seamlessly blends historic buildings subsequent to trendy structure, in addition to The River Thames, an iconic river that winds by way of the town.
For a extra enhanced view, some viewpoints supply glimpses of the numerous verdant parks and gardens, corresponding to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
So should you’re in search of a spot to admire the horizons of London, you’ll want to take a look at these locations…
TOP TIP: Lots of the paid sights on this listing are on the London Go by Go Metropolis, which is a superb cash saving low cost vacationer card for a choose variety of days or sights.
The Shard
Piercing the sky above is the needle-like construction of the Shard, the tallest constructing in Western Europe.
It’s rapidly turning into a London icon, particularly for the unbelievable views from its 72nd ground open-air platform. There’s an enclosed viewing platform on degree 69 as properly.
The Shard View is an costly factor to do in London, however the 244m excessive sweeping London views make it worthwhile. You get a unbelievable perspective of the Thames snaking by way of the town east to west.
To actually really feel simply how excessive you might be, look as much as see how shut the planes are flying overhead! (Not scary simply WOW).
We visited proper on sundown and I liked it greater than I assumed I might. I actually wish to return throughout the day however we couldn’t make it work.
Purpose for about an hour earlier than sundown, so you possibly can expertise the nightfall golden gentle views, sundown panoramic views, and nighttime views when these London lights sparkle.
There’s a rooftop bar up right here with seating areas, so seize your alternative of cocktails, and calm down. I’d stroll round with a drink in hand to absorb the views from all of the totally different angles.
You should reserve your tickets prematurely. (It is going to additionally prevent cash).
Wish to expertise 5-star luxurious with these views? The Shangri La Resort is positioned on Stage 34 of the Shard. Every room has floor-to-ceiling home windows offering spectacular views of the town, and maintains the theme of Oriental magnificence discovered all through the resort. Verify availability and guide your keep right here.
The London Eye
I used to be nervous the London Eye can be an over-hyped vacationer attraction. It wasn’t, it’s completely price it to go to The London Eye. The panoramic views of London from listed here are phenomenal.
You get 30-minutes to take all of it in as you slowly rotate with views of a lot of London’s most iconic landmarks: Massive Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and naturally, the River Thames.
On a transparent day, you possibly can even see Windsor Citadel, former dwelling of Queen Elizabeth II.
I additionally liked trying down upon the opposite London Eye pods from the very prime. It felt a little bit unnatural and made my abdomen flutter a little bit, however as soon as I distracted myself with the views, I didn’t really feel nervous in any respect.
At 135 m tall, The London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered statement wheel. It opened as a brief celebration of the brand new millennium and was so profitable they determined to maintain it. It’s now London’s prime paid attraction.
The Lastminute.com London Eye hosted us in a non-public pod, which solely enhanced the expertise as we didn’t need to compete with others for viewing home windows and it meant Savannah might rock out as many dance strikes as potential.
Video: London Eye Expertise
Sky Backyard
An Instagram follower instructed us the views from Sky Backyard have been unmissable and a free different to The Shard.
Often known as the Walkie Talkie constructing for its form, it’s presently the fifth tallest constructing within the metropolis of London at 160m tall. I really like the way it faces the Shard on the North facet of the Thames.
It’s often called being London’s highest public backyard and has an open-air terrace with lush crops and uninterrupted panoramas of the town’s skyline.
It additionally has two eating places and bars.
The tip is to order a desk within the restaurant for a particular eating expertise with views. This additionally provides you entry to the Sky Backyard. The costs aren’t too dangerous if you examine it to London eating places on road degree.
You should reserve a ticket prematurely (free) to go to the Sky Backyard and luxuriate in one of the best free views of London
We couldn’t reserve both a free viewing ticket or place on the restaurant for any of our accessible instances whereas in London.
As they often enable walk-ins if they’ve house, we tried on a Monday. However, unbeknownst to us, the primary Monday of the month is after they shut the Skygarden for upkeep – now you already know!
The doorman gave us an awesome tip on a very good London viewpoint simply across the nook.
And that was….
The Backyard at 120 Fenchurch St
120 Fenchurch St is one other excessive rise in London with a sky backyard and a powerful 360-degree views. You get unbelievable views of the Sky Backyard from right here, so we might sort of fake we went there.
Because it’s solely 15 tales excessive, a number of the different close by skyscrapers might block a number of the view however you possibly can see Tower Bridge from right here, the Shard and Canary Wharf within the distance.
I liked trying down upon the little Indian Pale Ale Pub, which is the place my brother and mates as soon as labored and a pub I’d incessantly stroll previous after a shift on the pub I labored in at close by Liverpool St.
The Backyard Museum Tower
The Backyard Museum is a former medieval church of St-Mary-at-Lambeth right into a museum, after it was scheduled in to be demolished within the 70s, however as a substitute was rescued and changed into an exhibition house for backyard fans and horticulturalists.
The museum was constructed to honour the Seventeenth-Century gardener John Tradescant, who’s buried there, but it surely’s additionally a singular hidden gem spot to get a tremendous view of the River Thames and the Palace of Westminster.
Climb up 131 slender spiral staircase steps to the highest of the tower, and also you’ll be graced by views of Vauxhall and the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Most hanging are the ever present views of St Paul’s Cathedral as you wander about.
We realized on our River Thames Cruise that the explanation lots of the trendy London skyscrapers are humorous shapes (and aesthetically pleasing) is as a result of, by regulation, St Paul’s needs to be seen from eight separate locations in London.
Subsequently, new buildings are designed so they don’t impede these views.
Isn’t that so cool? I really like how historical past and custom is persevered and revered in England.
Not solely is St Paul’s an beautiful architectural gem and a London icon price catching views of, it’s additionally a spot to get an impressive view of London.
We had restricted time on our guided tour, so didn’t get to see the view from the highest of St Paul’s (111m excessive), however I did do it whereas dwelling in London over 20 years in the past. It’s gorgeous!
To get there climb the 378 steps to The Stone Gallery and an additional 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for far-reaching views of the town, together with the River Thames, Tate Fashionable and the Globe Theatre.
Need one other cool view in St Paul’s Cathedral?
Ask the attendants if they’ll take you to the spiraling Harry Potter staircase. This staircase in St Paul’s was used because the “Divination Stairwell” positioned within the North Tower of Hogwarts Citadel for the Harry Potter movies.
Oxo Tower
Many because of our tour information from Independence by Globus who gave us this tip on our half day tour of London.
Oxo Tower is a residential constructing on the southern banks of the River Thames.
On the highest ground (8th) is a restaurant and public viewing gallery. They don’t make this recognized so it truly is a London native secret.
The restaurant and bar each appear to be a prime spot for a day drink, or perhaps a meal. However, if you’d like the funds view expertise, you possibly can exit to the small public viewing space for a peak.
Tate Fashionable
One other prime free view of London is from the Tate Fashionable artwork gallery. Opened in 2000 in a dilapidated outdated energy station on an industrial stretch of the River Thames southern shore, it has fully revitalized this space, making it fully unrecognizable to my 22-year-old self dwelling in London in 1997.
It’s not only a place to admire world-class artwork, however the two London viewpoints it presents.
Head as much as the enclosed 6th ground Kitchen and Bar within the Natalie Bell Constructing for hanging views of the Thames, Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Apparently, the views from The Viewing Stage, an open viewing terrace on the highest ground (10th) of the Blavatnik Constructing are equally spectacular, though presently closed, so we missed it. From right here you possibly can see throughout the River Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral, and so far as Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium.
I feel tea and scones would match completely with the views from the Tate Fashionable!
The Founder’s Arms
After your go to to the Tate Fashionable, stroll out the entrance, flip left and seize a desk on the riverside pub, The Founder’s Arms.
We completely liked the road degree views from right here of the River Thames, Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s, and the North Financial institution.
Fingers crossed you possibly can snag a desk outdoors, particularly if the solar is out and you’ve got a uncommon t-shirt climate day. (Luck was in our favor!)
They’ve ground to ceiling views from inside by way of their glass home windows so you possibly can’t go unsuitable even if you’re caught inside.
Pimm’s & Lemonade is the drink to match this London view. And this is able to be an awesome spot for a pub lunch as properly.
I used to be more than pleased with my chips and mayo – a favourite London dish I ate virtually each day. For the Individuals, that’s chips as in fries.
The subsequent London view is a straightforward 10 steps away.
Millennium Bridge
These gorgeous St Paul views proceed as you cross over the Millennium Bridge, with the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral rising in entrance of your eyes with every step.
Look behind for views of Tate Fashionable, and to the fitting for Tower Bridge views, and views of life on each banks of the river.
The Millennium Bridge opened in 2000.
It’s also called the Wobbly Bridge as when it was first opened an engineering defect triggered it to shake and wobble when folks walked throughout it. They needed to shut it down for 2 years to repair it.
It’s now completely secure. I really like its warped, futuristic type.
Be sure you look down. An unknown artist incessantly comes by and secretly creates paintings out of the dried-up gum. Gross however cool.
Harry Potter Followers: London Boys Faculty (on the left as you strategy the north facet) was the place Daniel Radcliffe went to high school. Keep in mind when the Dying Eaters assault London within the scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? They have been filmed on the Millennium Bridge.
The Golden Jubilee Bridges
- Location: Embankment
- Nearest Tube: Embankment / Waterloo
One other spot for lovely London views is the Golden Jubilee Bridge, which spans the River Thames between Embankment and Southbank. There are two of those pedestrian bridges on both facet of the Hungerford Bridge.
Should you take the facet closest to the London Eye you should have splendid views from the facet of the London Eye and Massive Ben.
As you cross over the bridge flip left and stroll alongside the north facet of the river for extra views of the London Eye again over the river.
Moored on the Thames is the Tattershall Citadel, a former passenger ferry turned pub that has views of the London Eye.
We didn’t get to step in for a drink because it was all the time busy, and we weren’t positive how family-friendly it was.
I feel ingesting a Pimm’s right here on a heat English afternoon with these views can be a reminiscence.
Massive Ben and Winston Churchill
One in all our favourite London pictures we captured on our journey – that even native Londoners didn’t find out about – was that of Winston Churchill searching upon Massive Ben.
Parliament Sq. is subsequent to the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It has statues of well-known statesmen together with Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.
Fortunately, we visited when many of the scaffolding was off the Massive Ben tower so we might seize this excellent view from behind Winston.
The Tower Bridge
London’s most well-known bridge, with its two turreted towers and lightweight blue suspension cables is NOT London Bridge. It’s a straightforward frequent false impression when it’s such an iconic image of London.
It’s referred to as Tower Bridge and sits proper beside the Tower of London, one of many metropolis’s prime sights. London Bridge as compared is nondescript.
You’ll be able to stroll throughout Tower Bridge totally free and get splendid views overlooking the Thames and again over the Tower of London.
It’s also possible to go up and contained in the towers for greater views and to study extra concerning the bridge. It’s a paid attraction and is included in your London attraction go.
Verify for instances when the Tower Bridge will increase up its bridge arms so boats beneath can go by. They do need to guide it 24 hours prematurely so you possibly can plan forward for this cool expertise.
On common, Tower Bridge opens its bascules round 800 instances a 12 months, that’s round twice a day. Verify opening instances right here.
We timed it completely for once we completed our Tower of London expertise and crossed over to get lunch at Borough Markets.
We have been caught on the Tower Bridge facet, which was not one of the best facet for the noonday solar. Optimum gentle would have been on the Southern facet. Take into account that should you’re planning to see the bridge rise.
The views of Tower Bridge from the southern facet of the Thames are additionally nice.
River Thames Cruise
One other solution to expertise the attractive views of London is from a guided commentary cruise on the River Thames. We did the 40-minute cruise aboard the London Eye simply earlier than our London Eye expertise.
I realized quite a bit about London historical past and life with just a few humorous tales thrown in.
Right here’s one which made me snicker. The Ministry Protection, which is reverse the London Eye, took the statement wheel to courtroom to try to shut it down. They feared spies would trip as much as the highest and peak into their home windows with binoculars to steal all their secrets and techniques.
The choose’s response: “You’re the Ministry of Protection. Go purchase some blinds!”
You’ll sail previous a number of the world’s most well-known landmarks together with The Shard, Tate Fashionable, St Paul’s Cathedral, Homes of Parliament and Massive Ben, The London Eye, Tower of London and underneath Tower Bridge.
One other river cruise possibility is the brand new ‘View from the River’ cruise from The Shard in partnership with Uber boats by Thames Clipper.
They run twice a day from Wednesday-Sunday leaving at 2pm and three:15pm. This one has a completely stocked bar and seasonal treats.
We have been devastated to overlook the launch occasion of this by 5 minutes. Though we left with loads of time to make departure, our tube was stopped mid-ride on account of somebody trespassing on the tracks.
We needed to end the remainder of the journey by sprinting alongside the Thames riverfront lacking the boat solely by minutes. It was essentially the most excellent London climate too, with clear skies, heat climate, and essentially the most lovely sundown gentle.
That’s the one remorse I’ve from our two weeks in London. These views would have been superb!
The Uber by Thames Clipper boats are a mode of public transport in London. So, you may get these river views just by getting from A to B.
A trip is dearer than the tube nevertheless and also you wish to be fast getting on and off. It’s a fast-moving commuter expertise that waits for nobody.
Blackfriars Bridge at Sundown
We stumbled upon this London sundown view by accident as we sprinted for our Shard View night sundown cruise. Seeing a spectacular sundown like this in London is a rarity as a result of ever-hanging low grey clouds.
This night was completely clear and the solar an enormous orb because it sank down behind the town casting an orangey pinky glow over your entire metropolis.
I turned for a fast snap as I used to be working. It’s not an awesome picture in consequence, however you possibly can see this can be a lovely London view price seeing.
Should you time it proper head right down to the Southern banks of the Thames. I feel the Blackfriars Bridge gives you top-of-the-line views, however I’m positive there are numerous different nice sundown spots alongside the Southside of the river.
We couldn’t time it to get down there on one other night when the skies have been clear.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Probably the greatest views in London needs to be from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
You look out throughout the leafy greens of Greenwich Village and Greenwich Park, the outdated looking park of King Henry VIII behind the palaces.
Trying past that’s the gorgeous buildings of the Queen’s Home, Nationwide Maritime Museum, and the Previous Royal Naval Faculty, likened to architectural splendor of the Palace of Versailles.
Placing the icing on the cake, is the view behind of the glittering trendy skyscrapers forming the Canary Wharf skyline in entrance of the Thames.
It’s the right encapsulation of the fashionable and historic worlds that London has advanced by way of to turn into this unbelievable metropolis we love a lot.
Extra High Views in London
Listed below are just a few different locations in London for prime viewpoints. We ran out of time, however they’re on our listing for our subsequent journey to London!
- Primrose Hill, simply north of Regents Park has extraordinary views of the town skyline from the 63m summit.
- Sawyers Hill in Richmond Park presents views of Central London
- Emirates Air Line Cable Automobile: we have been planning to return from Greenwich Peninsula through the 10-minute cable automobile trip going above the Thames from Greenwich to Royal Victoria Dock, however the climate messed us up. You’ll be able to pay together with your oyster/contactless card.
- Up on the O2 Area is a London attraction for the daredevils. Harness up and climb 52m above this well-known London area for 360-degree views of London’s Royal Docks. Guide a tour right here, or it’s a part of the Go Metropolis Go.
- ArcelorMittal Orbit – this funky new addition to the London Skyline has turn into well-known for its spectacular views of London. It’s positioned within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, which hosted the 2012 Olympic Video games.
- Parliament Hill, which is within the prosperous Hampstead Heath neighborhood, is a leafy backyard with iconic views of the London skyline framed by bushes. It’s the right place to unpack a picnic and admire the skyscrapers dotting the horizon.
- The Duck and Waffle, a rooftop bar on the fortieth ground of a skyscraper in Bishopsgate, has floor-to-ceiling home windows that wrap round three of the 4 partitions of this bar. It’s proper subsequent to the Gherkin constructing, so you may have an in depth up view of its distinctive structure, in addition to uninterrupted views of the skyline. Go at night time when the lights are all lit up, it’s magic!
Map of the Finest Views of London
To assist make your journey planning simpler, I created a map with these London viewpoints marked. Click on this hyperlink to save lots of a replica for your self and edit as you want.
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What’s your favourite view in London? Which if these are you most enthusiastic about seeing? Tell us within the feedback.
