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I by no means get bored with all the attractive views in London. Regardless that it’s a sprawling metropolis, it’s nonetheless stunning, and has a unending cluster of buildings, excessive and low, historic and fashionable, with panoramic views that showcase the varied structure.
I positive love wanting a metropolis from all of the a number of views and viewpoints, so throughout our trip in London, we made positive to go excessive and low to find the most effective views of England’s capital.
When on the lookout for the BEST views in London, you desire a view that exhibits scenes of its distinctive skyline, which seamlessly blends historic buildings subsequent to fashionable structure, in addition to The River Thames, an iconic river that winds by town.
For a extra enhanced view, some viewpoints provide glimpses of the numerous verdant parks and gardens, corresponding to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
So when you’re on the lookout for a spot to admire the horizons of London, be sure you try these locations…
TOP TIP: Most of the paid points of interest on this checklist are on the London Move by Go Metropolis, which is a superb cash saving low cost vacationer card for a choose variety of days or points of interest.
The Shard
Piercing the sky above is the needle-like construction of the Shard, the tallest constructing in Western Europe.
It’s shortly turning into a London icon, particularly for the unimaginable views from its 72nd ground open-air platform. There’s an enclosed viewing platform on degree 69 as nicely.
The Shard View is an costly factor to do in London, however the 244m excessive sweeping London views make it worthwhile. You get a implausible perspective of the Thames snaking by town east to west.
To essentially 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 believed I might. I actually need to return through the day however we couldn’t make it work.
Goal for about an hour earlier than sundown, so you possibly can expertise the nightfall golden mild 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 take in the views from all of the totally different angles.
You need to reserve your tickets upfront. (It is going to additionally prevent cash).
Need to expertise 5-star luxurious with these views? The Shangri La Lodge is positioned on Stage 34 of the Shard. Every room has floor-to-ceiling home windows offering spectacular views of town, and maintains the theme of Oriental magnificence discovered all through the resort. Examine availability and e book your keep right here.
The London Eye
I used to be anxious 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 below are phenomenal.
You get 30-minutes to take all of it in as you slowly rotate with views of lots of London’s most iconic landmarks: Huge Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and naturally, the River Thames.
On a transparent day, you possibly can even see Windsor Fortress, former house of Queen Elizabeth II.
I additionally liked wanting down upon the opposite London Eye pods from the very prime. It felt somewhat unnatural and made my abdomen flutter somewhat, 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 commentary 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 must compete with others for viewing home windows and it meant Savannah might rock out as many dance strikes as doable.
Video: London Eye Expertise
Sky Backyard
An Instagram follower informed us the views from Sky Backyard had been unmissable and a free different to The Shard.
Generally known as the Walkie Talkie constructing for its form, it’s at the moment the fifth tallest constructing within the metropolis of London at 160m tall. I like the way it faces the Shard on the North aspect of the Thames.
It’s referred to as being London’s highest public backyard and has an open-air terrace with lush crops and uninterrupted panoramas of 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 offers you entry to the Sky Backyard. The costs aren’t too dangerous whenever you evaluate it to London eating places on avenue degree.
You need to reserve a ticket upfront (free) to go to the Sky Backyard and luxuriate in the most effective free views of London
We couldn’t reserve both a free viewing ticket or place on the restaurant for any of our obtainable occasions whereas in London.
As they generally 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 excellent tip on 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 implausible 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 few of the different close by skyscrapers could block a few of the view however you possibly can see Tower Bridge from right here, the Shard and Canary Wharf within the distance.
I liked wanting down upon the little Indian Pale Ale Pub, which is the place my brother and associates as soon as labored and a pub I’d regularly 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 an alternative was rescued and was an exhibition house for backyard lovers and horticulturalists.
The museum was constructed to honour the Seventeenth-Century gardener John Tradescant, who’s buried there, however it’s additionally a singular hidden gem spot to get an incredible view of the River Thames and the Palace of Westminster.
Climb up 131 slim 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 discovered on our River Thames Cruise that the explanation lots of the fashionable London skyscrapers are humorous shapes (and aesthetically pleasing) is as a result of, by legislation, St Paul’s needs to be seen from eight separate locations in London.
Subsequently, new buildings are designed so they don’t hinder these views.
Isn’t that so cool? I 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 a powerful 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 beautiful!
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 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 Fortress for the Harry Potter movies.
Oxo Tower
Many due to 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 identified 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 would like the price range 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 gives.
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 at the moment 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 believe 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 exterior, 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 their glass home windows so you possibly can’t go incorrect even in case you are caught inside.
Pimm’s & Lemonade is the drink to match this London view. And this might be an excellent spot for a pub lunch as nicely.
I used to be very happy with my chips and mayo – a favourite London dish I ate virtually every day. For the Individuals, that’s chips as in fries.
The subsequent London view is a straightforward 10 steps away.
Millennium Bridge
These beautiful 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 suitable for Tower Bridge views, and views of life on each banks of the river.
The Millennium Bridge opened in 2000.
It’s also referred to as the Wobbly Bridge as when it was first opened an engineering defect induced it to shake and wobble when individuals walked throughout it. They needed to shut it down for 2 years to repair it.
It’s now completely protected. I like its warped, futuristic model.
Make sure to look down. An unknown artist regularly comes by and secretly creates paintings out of the dried-up gum. Gross however cool.
Harry Potter Followers: London Boys College (on the left as you strategy the north aspect) was the place Daniel Radcliffe went to high school. Bear in mind when the Dying Eaters assault London within the scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? They had been filmed on the Millennium Bridge.
The Golden Jubilee Bridges
- Location: Embankment
- Nearest Tube: Embankment / Waterloo
One other spot for stunning 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 aspect of the Hungerford Bridge.
In case you take the aspect closest to the London Eye you should have splendid views from the aspect of the London Eye and Huge Ben.
As you cross over the bridge flip left and stroll alongside the north aspect of the river for extra views of the London Eye again over the river.
Moored on the Thames is the Tattershall Fortress, 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 at all times busy, and we weren’t positive how family-friendly it was.
I believe ingesting a Pimm’s right here on a heat English afternoon with these views can be a reminiscence.
Huge Ben and Winston Churchill
Considered one of our favourite London images we captured on our journey – that even native Londoners didn’t learn about – was that of Winston Churchill looking upon Huge 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 Huge Ben tower so we might seize this good view from behind Winston.
The Tower Bridge
London’s most well-known bridge, with its two turreted towers and light-weight 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 known as Tower Bridge and sits proper beside the Tower of London, one of many metropolis’s prime points of interest. London Bridge as compared is nondescript.
You may stroll throughout Tower Bridge at no cost 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 larger views and to be taught extra in regards to the bridge. It’s a paid attraction and is included in your London attraction cross.
Examine for occasions when the Tower Bridge will increase up its bridge arms so boats beneath can cross by. They do must e book it 24 hours upfront so you possibly can plan forward for this cool expertise.
On common, Tower Bridge opens its bascules round 800 occasions a yr, that’s round twice a day. Examine opening occasions right here.
We timed it completely for after we completed our Tower of London expertise and crossed over to get lunch at Borough Markets.
We had been caught on the Tower Bridge aspect, which was not the most effective aspect for the noonday solar. Optimum mild would have been on the Southern aspect. Think about that when you’re planning to see the bridge rise.
The views of Tower Bridge from the southern aspect of the Thames are additionally nice.
River Thames Cruise
One other technique 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 discovered quite a bit about London historical past and life with a number of humorous tales thrown in.
Right here’s one which made me snort. The Ministry Protection, which is reverse the London Eye, took the commentary wheel to court docket to try to shut it down. They feared spies would experience 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 few of the world’s most well-known landmarks together with The Shard, Tate Fashionable, St Paul’s Cathedral, Homes of Parliament and Huge Ben, The London Eye, Tower of London and below 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 totally stocked bar and seasonal treats.
We had been devastated to overlook the launch celebration of this by 5 minutes. Though we left with loads of time to make departure, our tube was stopped mid-ride attributable to 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 good London climate too, with clear skies, heat climate, and essentially the most stunning sundown mild.
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 will get these river views just by getting from A to B.
A experience is costlier than the tube nonetheless and also you need 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 town casting an orangey pinky glow over the whole metropolis.
I turned for a fast snap as I used to be operating. It’s not an excellent photograph in consequence, however you possibly can see this can be a stunning London view price seeing.
In case you time it proper head all the way down to the Southern banks of the Thames. I believe the Blackfriars Bridge offers you among the finest views, however I’m positive there are a lot of 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 had been clear.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Among the finest 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 searching park of King Henry VIII behind the palaces.
Wanting past that’s the beautiful buildings of the Queen’s Home, Nationwide Maritime Museum, and the Outdated 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 fashionable skyscrapers forming the Canary Wharf skyline in entrance of the Thames.
It’s the right encapsulation of the trendy and historic worlds that London has advanced by to turn into this unimaginable metropolis we love a lot.
Extra Prime Views in London
Listed here are a number of different locations in London for prime viewpoints. We ran out of time, however they’re on our checklist for our subsequent journey to London!
- Primrose Hill, simply north of Regents Park has extraordinary views of town skyline from the 63m summit.
- Sawyers Hill in Richmond Park gives views of Central London
- Emirates Air Line Cable Automotive: we had been planning to return from Greenwich Peninsula through the 10-minute cable automobile experience going above the Thames from Greenwich to Royal Victoria Dock, however the climate messed us up. You may pay together with your oyster/contactless card.
- Up on the O2 Enviornment is a London attraction for the daredevils. Harness up and climb 52m above this well-known London enviornment for 360-degree views of London’s Royal Docks. E-book a tour right here, or it’s a part of the Go Metropolis Move.
- 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 timber. 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 will have a detailed up view of its distinctive structure, in addition to uninterrupted views of the skyline. Go at evening when the lights are all lit up, it’s magic!
Map of the Greatest 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 duplicate 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.
