When it comes to best views of London, many images might come to our mind. London is a city full of surprises, with stunning views hidden in its skyline at every corner. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a long-term resident, London offers countless beautiful views. In this article, we select 15 panoramic view of London for you from classic panoramic viewing platforms to free check-in spots, from small-fee experiences within easy reach to restaurants and rooftop bars with breathtaking views — it’s all there. It’s time to explore London city view from a totally new viewpoint.
Panoramic London Viewing Platforms
When looking for that London top view, you should stand a little higher. When the sight turns from looking straight ahead to looking down, the context and grandeur of the whole city unfold before your eyes. The platforms below will offer you the best views of London skyline, while allowing you to enjoy historical landmarks, the meandering river, and the modern city.
1. Horizons 22
For London viewing platforms, look no further than Horizon 22. It is regarded as the highest and most spacious indoor observation deck in New York City— the observation deck is 16,000 square feet, which is more than three times the size of the Shard. This large size delivers a better customer experience, allowing you to enjoy minimal crowding and greater comfort. From this superior position, gazing at the cluster of skyscrapers, you can truly feel the power of the London skyline.
2. The Shard View
The Shard View claims what many consider the best views in London. As the highest of London’s viewing platforms, its altitude reaches 245 metres. It was designed with a whole glass curtain wall, offering an inclusive view with virtually no blind spots. No matter when you come here, you can experience its magnificent views: the daytime cityscape, the golden hues of dusk, and the dazzling nighttime lights. This charming scene can even serve as the backdrop to your daily life. Because there are many student accommodations in London close to the Shard, where you can enjoy the shared views of the city skyline, such as Chapter London Bridge and Urbanest Westminster, which offer a magnificent view of the Shard.
3. Primrose Hill
For the ultimate London city view, Primrose Hill stands unsurpassed. Located on the north side of Regent’s Park, its viewpoint is more expansive and panoramic than that from Parliament Hill. Looking from the top of the hill, a more complete, layered view of the city skyline unfolds before your eyes. Here, the atmosphere is romantic, quiet, and relaxed-a perfect setting to date, chat with friends, or have a calm moment with a book.
4. The Sky Garden
If you’re looking to enjoy London from above, look no further than The Sky Garden. This stunning destination is famous for its unique architectural design, 360-degree panoramic views, and rich vegetation. By day, you can enjoy the best view of London city, and as evening falls, the scene transforms into a glittering urban landscape. The Garden plants many plants from the Mediterranean and South Africa, including olive trees and lavender, creating a lush oasis in the sky.
Best views of London for Free
After exploring the elevated panoramic view of London, you will be glad to find that there are many free viewing platforms in London. The uniqueness of these free attractions lies in transforming an ordinary stroll into an unforgettable visual feast. From Regent’s Park, which also serves as a natural observation deck, to the sky-high gardens that welcome visitors for free, let us take you on a tour of the most accessible yet breathtaking perspectives in London.
5. Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park stands as one of the parks with the best views of London and ranks among the most classical of the eight royal parks. Home to the most exquisite rose garden and elegant lake, Regent’s Park offers you a quiet oasis away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Whether you wish to appreciate the rose garden, take a punt on the lake, climb the mountain, or walk in the forest, here, all your expectations will be met. Do you want to switch from your busy schoolwork to a vast oasis in an instant? Here’s an excellent solution: choose to live in a nearby student accommodation in London, such as the iQ Bloomsbury. This accommodation is just a ten-minute walk from Regent’s Park allowing you to enjoy its serene landscapes whenever you wish.
6. The Garden at 120
Among free London views, The Garden at 120 offers a panoramic view from its 15th-floor perch at 120 Fenchurch Street. As the largest public roof garden, it features a vast circular promenade composed of winding benches and plants, creating a unique and comfortable atmosphere. Home to 100 types of plants, the viewpoints change with the seasons, ensuring each visit has a different experience. The garden centre features a beautiful reflecting pool that mirrors the sky and surrounding buildings on windless days, making it an ideal spot for photography. Best of all, this urban oasis is completely free and requires no reservations.
7. Parliament Hill
For free viewpoints in London, Parliament Hill offers a memorable perspective from its wide, rolling grasslands. You can lie on the grass, bathe in the sunshine, take in the London sky view, and enjoy the calm atmosphere. From this vantage point, you can clearly view St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament in the distance.
8. Greenwich Park Observatory
Greenwich Park Observatory is not only the oldest royal park but also a free viewpoint in London. There are boutique gardens, broad grassland, ancient relics, and an excellent view of London. It is not just a park; it’s a leisure resort beloved by Londoners and tourists alike. This park is divided into two areas. The lower area features beautiful flower gardens, expansive lawns, and wooded areas ideal for walking and relaxing. Climbing to the top is the Royal Observatory, where you can easily enjoy a panoramic London city view.
Top London City View with a Small Fee
9. London Eye
When people mentioned London best views with a small fee, The 135 -meter – tall London Eye will appear in their mind for the first time. Taking this giant observation wheel into the air slowly, the thirty-minute travel is like a visual feast- the shimmering waves of the Thames meander beneath your feet, and the majesty of the Capitol gradually unfolds. It is this unparalleled experience that secures its throne of London’s top view.
10. The Tower of London
The Tower of London offers you not only a view of London city but also a journey through 1000 years of history. Just a small fee, you can easily see the skyline of Tower Bridge and modern city. Inside, you can see jewels on a crown, explore the palace where the king and queen once lived, and listen to the guard tell a story about the Tower’s history. The specialty of the Tower of London lies in experiencing the history of London as you admire its famous landmark. If you wish to visit the Tower of London at any time and immerse yourself in this thousand-year-old history and charming scenery, then choosing to stay in a nearby student accommodation in London is undoubtedly an ideal choice. Chapter Aldgate and iQ Aldgate are both good choices. These two accommodations are less than 20 minutes’ walk from the Tower of London and are very suitable for you to visit easily in your spare time.
11. Westminster Abbey
Apart from being one of the best views in London, Westminster Abbey is one of the most historically significant attractions in London. It not only offers magnificent architecture but also provides a vivid account of British history. As the most sacred place in the city, it has witnessed every royal coronation ceremony since 1066 and has also hosted countless royal weddings and funerals. If you are new to London and have a very emotional interest in London’s history, a small fee can help you start an invaluable history journey.
12. The Monument
Climbing 311 steps, a panoramic view of London will unfold in front of you. The Monument was built to commemorate the fire of 1666. At the moment of reaching the summit, what meets the eye is not just a beautiful picture of the Thames and Tower Bridge but a great city reborn from the ashes.
Best Restaurants & Rooftop Bars in London with Great Viewpoints
13. Aqua Shard
Located on the 31st floor, Aqua Shard is one of the best London viewing platforms. Looking out from this bar, Tower Bridge and the historic city of Tower Bridge create a stunning foreground. At the same time, the Thames flows gracefully along the west, connecting the city’s landscape with the serene beauty of water. Whether watching the sunset in the town or enjoying the best views in London at night, Aqua Shard makes an unforgettable environment.
14. Duck & Waffle
As a 24-hour vantage point, I do not doubt that you can enjoy London top view. Whether it’s a sudden whim at three in the morning or a carefully planned event at dusk, Duck & Waffle offers you a full range of dining services. Sipping a cup of rich and fragrant coffee while looking down at the magnificent cityscape of London is definitely a great experience.
15. OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie
Among London viewing points, OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie stands out as a premier destination that combines world-class dining with breathtaking panoramas. It is located in the south of the Thames with a romantic atmosphere. You can overlook the Thames and the city, and its sunset and night views are amazing. The shop offers a variety of dining options: a restaurant, a bar, and a brasserie.
Conclusion about Best Views of London
Now, you have gained a deeper understanding of best views of London and must have developed a yearning for it. This city offers us a wide variety of choices: there are panoramic views that take in the entire city’s context. There is also a free observation deck, offering unexpected views. If you have the energy, a small expense can make your experience even better. When night falls or you are tired, choose a unique, high-quality restaurant that complements the food and the beautiful scenery. No matter which place you choose, London will always repay your visit most charmingly. Every viewing spot tells a different story of this city. Set off now and collect your own memories of London.
FAQs about Best Views of London
What are the three hills of London?
The three classic hills of London are Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill, and the viewpoint in Greenwich Park. Primrose Hill is located to the north of Regent’s Park and is famous for its broad and amazing panoramic views of the central London skyline. This is an excellent place for a picnic and watching the sunset. Parliament Hill, located in the southeast corner of Hampstead Heath, offers a classic, postcard-perfect view of the city. The hills in Greenwich Park, right behind the Royal Observatory, offer a unique and iconic distant view.These three mountains together offer the most beautiful and convenient free viewing spots in the capital.
Where is the highest view of London for free?
The highest view of London for free is from Horizon 22. Its open-air terrace on the 58th floor offers an unparalleled 360-degree panorama. From this breathtaking vantage point, you can witness the dramatic cluster of skyscrapers in the City of London, with landmarks like the Gherkin and the Walkie-Talkie feeling almost within reach, while the Thames winds its way into the distance. The combination of its staggering height, unobstructed views, and free access makes it an unbeatable and essential London experience.
Where is the best view of london?
The best view of London is from the Sky Garden. It is located on the top floor of the Walkie-talkie building at 20 Fenchurch Street, featuring a 360-degree panoramic glass curtain wall rising to 155 metres, and is hailed as “the oasis in the air of London”. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking, uninterrupted views of London’s iconic skyline, including the Shard, Tower Bridge, and the majestic dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
