There’s no doubt about it, London’s skyline is impressive. The cityscape has changed dramatically over the years and is now filled with iconic (and sometimes controversial) landmarks such as The Shard and the Walkie Talkie.
It’s hard to get a feel for just how large some of these buildings are when you’re walking at street level. So, to get a birds-eye view of the city you need some height.
There are lots of viewing platforms and observation decks in London where you can see the skyline but some of them are expensive.
The London Eye is always popular but a spin in the giant Ferris wheel on the banks of the River Thames does not come cheap (a walk up ticket is £42 per adult). Similarly, The Shard – the tallest building in the City of London – offers unobstructed views over the city but adult tickets start at £24.95.
The good news is that there are other options that won’t cost you a penny. This list of where to find the best free views in London combines viewing levels, parks, rooftop bars and free vantage points where you can get a great view of the city.
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Where to find the best free views in London
Table of Contents
The following are some of London’s best viewpoints that you can enjoy for free. You may need to book tickets for some locations and, if visiting during popular times such as Christmas, the half-term holidays and bank holidays, then make sure you book in advance as tickets to popular places get snapped up.
Horizon 22
Horizon 22 opened in September last year and quickly became one of the best places to catch a free view of London. Standing at 254 metres high, and accessed via a speedy lift that whisks visitors up to the 58th floor in just 41 seconds, it’s the highest free viewing platform in the city.
You still need to reserve a ticket to access the observation deck so do book in advance, especially if visiting during the holidays. Horizon 22 is open seven days a week, year-round (apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
Location: On the top of 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest building in the City of London. Bank, Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Monument are the nearest underground stations.
The Look out at 8 Bishopsgate
The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate opened in the summer of 2023 and is one of my favourite free viewing platforms in London.
It might not have the same cache as the Sky Garden, but the floor-to-ceiling windows offer beautiful views over the entire city. Visit on a sunny day and you can spot some of London’s most incredible historical landmarks such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Look Out is open daily from 10.30am – 5pm and until 8.15pm on Friday evenings. Some days do vary, however, so it’s worth checking the website.
Location: 8 Bishopsgate. Bank, Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Monument are the nearest underground stations.
Westminster Bridge
I know I said that you need to head up to an observation deck to get the best views, the area around Westminster Bridge actually offers some of the best free views of London.
Stand on Westminster Bridge itself and upstream of the Thames river you will be rewarded with views of the London Eye, the London Aquarium (the Sea Life Centre) and along the Embankment and South Bank.
Look downstream and you will see some of the city’s most important landmarks including the Houses of Parliament (officially known as the Palace of Westminster) and Big Ben, which has recently been given a facelift.
Level 10 at The Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is one of London’s most famous museums but it’s worth a visit for more than the art.
The Level 10 viewing platform is located on the 10th floor of the Blavatnik Building and offers 360-degree-views of London’s skyline. From here you can see some of London’s most iconic sights including Millennium Bridge, Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral, and The Shard. On clear days you can even see as far as Wembley Stadium in north London.
There is also a bar here, ideal for sunny afternoons and summer evenings.
Location: Level 10, Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. Nearest underground stations: Southwark and Blackfriars
Primrose Hill
It’s not just sky-high buildings where you can find great views, some of London’s parks also offer some of the best views of London. In the north, Primrose Hill is a lovely London neighbourhood located on the northern side of Regent’s Park.
The area was once hunting ground for the royal family and later a place where duels were fought and prize-fights took place. These days, however, it’s one of the city’s most upmarket neighbourhoods, home to the rich and famous.
Standing at 213ft, the top of Primrose Hill rewards visitors with views across the heart of London as well as Hampstead and Belsize Park to the north. Visit during the summer months and it’s the perfect place for a picnic.
Location: The nearest underground station is Chalk Farm.
Alexandra Palace
Another great park for views is Alexandra Palace (and Alexandra Park) in between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in North London. ‘Ally Pally’ as its affectionally called by locals is best known for its Grade II listed palace that first opened in 1873 but was soon after destroyed by a fire.
“The People’s Palace” (the building was designed as a public centre for recreation and entertainment) was later rebuilt. It’s had something of a tumultuous history since then but has served to this day and is now home to an ice skating rink, a beautiful theatre and an events hall. It also boasts beautiful panoramic views of central London.
Location: Wood Green is the nearest underground station on the Piccadilly Line. From here take the W3 bus up the hill to Ally Pally. Alexandra Palace train station is another option.
Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath
The vast green expanse of Hampstead Heath in North London is one of our favourite places to visit.
A huge 800 acre expanse of wild woodland and meadows, the heath is popular for weekend walks, Kenwood House, picnics during summer months and its three swimming ponds: the Mixed Bathing Pond, the Men’s Bathing Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond.
In the south-east corner of the park, is Parliament Hill. At 98 metres high, it has some of the best free views in London.
Location: Nearest underground stations: Tufnell Park and Kentish Town
King Henry’s Mound in Richmond Park
In London’s Richmond Park lies a prehistoric burial chamber from the Bronze Age and the highest point in the park. It was once used as a viewpoint for hunting, including by King Henry VIII.
It is also where, according to legend, King Henry stood and waited for a signal from the Tower of London that his second wife, Anne Boleyn, had lost her head.
Today a telescope stands on what is now called King Henry’s Mound, offering brilliant panoramic views of the Thames Valley to the west and a distant view of St Paul’s Cathedral to the east. The view is now a historically protected sightline, meaning that no buildings can be built to obstruct the view.
Location: Richmond Station is serviced by National Rail and the District Line. From here, catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham. To access the mound enter Richmond Park from Richmond Gate in the north west and walk down Queens Road.
Greenwich Park
The World Heritage Site of Greenwich in South London is another great place to go for free London views. Large and leafy Greenwich Park is home to a number of historic buildings including the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and The Royal Observatory. The latter was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who also designed St. Paul’s Cathedral).
Climb to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park and, outside the observatory, you will be rewarded with stunning views of London. We like to combine a trip to Greenwich with a visit to the Cutty Sark followed by a drink at the Trafalgar Tavern on the waterside, one of the most historic pubs in the area where Charles Dickens once used to drink.
Location: Greenwich, London SE10 8QY Nearest underground stations: North Greenwich Tube Station.
One New Change
I’m a big fan of One New Change and its open-air terrace. Located a short walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral, the rooftop terrace is a great place to snap a photo of the skyline, including the cathedral that was once the tallest building in London.
Madison’s Restaurant and Bar is located on the rooftop for lunch or drinks with a view (the roof terrace is open daily from 6am – midnight). Events are also regularly held here, including free screenings of Wimbledon during the summer months.
Location: New Change, London EC4M 9AF. Mansion House and St Paul’s are the nearest underground stations.
The Sky Garden
For a drink with a view that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag head to the Sky Garden. Located at the top of the Walkie Talkie building (so-called owing to its unique shape), the Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden with some of the best panoramic views of the city. The garden terraces are filled with Mediterranean and South African plans including Bird of Paradise and African Lily.
Visits to the Sky Garden are free but you do have to book in advance and weekend, school holidays and bank holiday tickets do sell out quickly. Tickets to the rooftop garden can be booked up to three weeks in advance on the sky garden website.
Location: 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 8AF Nearest underground stations: Monument
Waterloo Bridge
London is not short on bridges with spectacular views but none can quite compete with Waterloo Bridge. Thanks to its location at a bend in the river, this is the only bridge in London where you can see some of the city’s best sights to both the east and the west.
Look east and you’ll spy the former riverside palace of Somerset House along with The Shard and the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf in the distance. Glance west and you’ll be rewarded with the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. Visit after sunset and you’ll discover one of the best views in London at night.
Location: Waterloo Bridge is located between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge & Golden Jubilee Bridges. Waterloo underground station is your closest tube station.
One Tree Hill
Located in Honor Oak, South London, One Tree Hill is a 7-hectare public park that’s among the oldest of London’s nature reserves.
It was named after the Oak of Honour, which once marked the boundary of the ancient Honor of Gloucester in Norman times. Apparently Elizabeth I once had a picnic under the tree way back in 1602.
One Tree Hill is also home to a fantastic London vantage point once described by English poet, writer, and broadcaster John Betjeman as “better than that from Parliament Hill”. On a clear day you can see London’s skyline including the Walkie Talkie, Heron Tower, The Shard and The Gherkin.
Location: The Honor Oak Park station is the closest train station.
The Garden Museum
The Garden Museum is one of London’s best hidden gems, a lovely museum hidden within an old church.
The church is the burial place of John Tradescant, who is widely accepted to be the first British Gardener, and the museum explores the art, designs and history of British Gardens. It covers all aspects gardens and gardening from Royal designs to more modest London backyards.
What most people don’t know, however, is that this unique museum is also home to some of the best views of the River Thames in London. Climb the 131 steps to the top of the old medieval tower and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views across the city.
Location: The Garden Museum is next door to Lambeth Palace. The nearest stations are Vauxhall, Westminster and Lambeth North.
Caledonian Park Clock tower
Better known as the Cally Clock Tower, this structure was built as the centre piece to the Metropolitan Cattle Market that opened in 1855 as London’s meat market. Today the clock tower can be found in Caledonian Park in one of Islington’s largest green spaces.
The tower was refurbished in 2018 and is now open on selected days for tours to the top. If you can make it up the 170 steps you’ll be rewarded with incredible 360 degree views of the London skyline as well as a close up look of the turret clock in action.
Tours are free but tickets must be booked in advance and often sell out quickly.
Location: The nearest tube station is Caledonian Road on the Piccadilly Line.
