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I by no means get uninterested in all the attractive views in London. Though it’s a sprawling metropolis, it’s nonetheless lovely, and has a unending cluster of buildings, excessive and low, historical and fashionable, 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 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 way of the 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 should you’re on the lookout for a spot to admire the horizons of London, remember to take a look at these locations…
TOP TIP: Lots of the paid points of interest on this listing are on the London Go by Go Metropolis, which is a good 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 rapidly turning into a London icon, particularly for the unbelievable views from its 72nd flooring open-air platform. There may be an enclosed viewing platform on stage 69 as effectively.
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’re, look as much as see how shut the planes are flying overhead! (Not scary simply WOW).
We visited proper on sundown and I cherished it greater than I believed I might. I actually wish to return throughout the day however we couldn’t make it work.
Intention 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 selection of cocktails, and chill out. I’d stroll round with a drink in hand to take in the views from all of the totally different angles.
You could reserve your tickets upfront. (It is going to additionally prevent cash).
Wish to expertise 5-star luxurious with these views? The Shangri La Resort is situated 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 class discovered all through the resort. Examine availability and ebook your keep right here.
The London Eye
I used to be apprehensive the London Eye can be an over-hyped vacationer attraction. It wasn’t, it’s completely value 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 Fortress, former residence of Queen Elizabeth II.
I additionally cherished trying down upon the opposite London Eye pods from the very prime. It felt a bit unnatural and made my abdomen flutter a 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 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 personal pod, which solely enhanced the expertise as we didn’t should compete with others for viewing home windows and it meant Savannah may rock out as many dance strikes as attainable.
Video: London Eye Expertise
Sky Backyard
An Instagram follower instructed us the views from Sky Backyard had been unmissable and a free various 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 really like the way it faces the Shard on the North facet of the Thames.
It’s often known as 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 offers you entry to the Sky Backyard. The costs aren’t too unhealthy if you examine it to London eating places on road stage.
You could reserve a ticket upfront (free) to go to the Sky Backyard and revel 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 accessible occasions whereas in London.
As they generally enable walk-ins if they’ve area, we tried on a Monday. However, unbeknownst to us, the primary Monday of the month is once they shut the Skygarden for upkeep – now you realize!
The doorman gave us a terrific 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 unbelievable views of the Sky Backyard from right here, so we may type of fake we went there.
Because it’s solely 15 tales excessive, a few of the different close by skyscrapers might 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 cherished 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 continuously 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 become an exhibition area for backyard fans 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 rationale most of the fashionable 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 value 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 beautiful!
To get there climb the 378 steps to The Stone Gallery and an extra 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 will take you to the spiraling Harry Potter staircase. This staircase in St Paul’s was used because the “Divination Stairwell” situated within the North Tower of Hogwarts Fortress 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 flooring (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 seem like a prime spot for a day drink, or perhaps a meal. However, if you’d 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 presents.
Head as much as the enclosed 6th flooring 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 flooring (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 cherished the road stage 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 flooring to ceiling views from inside by way of their glass home windows so you possibly can’t go fallacious even in case you are caught inside.
Pimm’s & Lemonade is the drink to match this London view. And this might be a terrific spot for a pub lunch as effectively.
I used to be more than pleased with my chips and mayo – a favourite London dish I ate virtually each day. For the People, that’s chips as in fries.
The following London view is a simple 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 proper for Tower Bridge views, and views of life on each banks of the river.
The Millennium Bridge opened in 2000.
It’s often known as the Wobbly Bridge as when it was first opened an engineering defect prompted 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.
Remember to look down. An unknown artist continuously 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 method the north facet) was the place Daniel Radcliffe went to highschool. Bear in mind when the Loss of life 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 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.
When you take the facet closest to the London Eye you’ll 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 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 all the time 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.
Massive Ben and Winston Churchill
Certainly one of our favourite London photographs we captured on our journey – that even native Londoners didn’t learn 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 may 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 simple 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 possibly can stroll throughout Tower Bridge at no cost and get splendid views overlooking the Thames and again over the Tower of London.
You too can 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 move.
Examine for occasions when the Tower Bridge will elevate up its bridge arms so boats beneath can move by. They do should ebook 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 12 months, that’s round twice a day. Examine opening occasions 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 had been caught on the Tower Bridge facet, which was not the most effective facet for the noonday solar. Optimum gentle would have been on the Southern facet. Think about 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 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 couple of humorous tales thrown in.
Right here’s one which made me snigger. 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 journey 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 Massive Ben, The London Eye, Tower of London and beneath Tower Bridge.
One other river cruise choice 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 had been devastated to overlook the launch social gathering of this by 5 minutes. Though we left with loads of time to make departure, our tube was stopped mid-ride as a result 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 wonderful!
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 journey is costlier than the tube nonetheless 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 unintentionally as we sprinted for our Shard View night sundown cruise. Seeing a spectacular sundown like this in London is a rarity because of the 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 the complete metropolis.
I turned for a fast snap as I used to be working. It’s not a terrific photograph because of this, however you possibly can see this can be a lovely London view value seeing.
When you time it proper head all the way down to the Southern banks of the Thames. I believe the Blackfriars Bridge provides you with probably the greatest views, however I’m positive there are various 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
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 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 Previous Royal Naval School, 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 proper encapsulation of the trendy and historical worlds that London has developed by way of to turn out to be this unbelievable metropolis we love a lot.
Extra High Views in London
Listed here are a couple of 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 Automotive: we had been planning to return from Greenwich Peninsula by way of the 10-minute cable automobile journey going above the Thames from Greenwich to Royal Victoria Dock, however the climate messed us up. You possibly can pay along 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 Go.
- ArcelorMittal Orbit – this funky new addition to the London Skyline has turn out to be well-known for its spectacular views of London. It’s situated 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 proper place to unpack a picnic and admire the skyscrapers dotting the horizon.
- The Duck and Waffle, a rooftop bar on the fortieth flooring 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’ve got 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 avoid wasting 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.
