11 Free Viewpoints in London
Panoramic views of London from the UK’s second-tallest building, spot iconic landmarks and historical sights from tranquil roof gardens, admire the ever-expanding skyline from several hundred metres high and enjoy picnics in beautiful parks with incredible views of the city. Continue reading for 11 free viewpoints in London and everything you need to know.
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Planning a trip to London and thinking you have to spend a lot of money to really make the most of your visit? Surprisingly, there are many free things to do in London, it’s actually a great city to visit on a budget.
Some of the best free attractions in London are the many roof gardens and viewing platforms with incredible views over the city skyline. You don’t need to pay over £30 for The Shard, you can visit one of the many free viewpoints in London and enjoy just as good a view.
From the high floors of the glitzy glass skyscrapers to tranquil roof gardens to hills in some of London’s best parks, there’s no shortage of panoramic views of London to enjoy for free.
In this guide to free viewpoints in London, you’ll read about the best views from viewing platforms in various skyscrapers and then from some of London’s best parks. We’ll also share the location, transport options and links to book (free) tickets if necessary.
Our top tip: Citymapper can be used to plan your routes.
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Contents
Free Viewpoints in London
Horizon 22; highest viewing platform in London
Horizon 22 is without a doubt one of the best free viewpoints in London.
Located on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, the second-tallest building in the UK after The Shard, Horizon 22 is the highest viewing platform in London.
Horizon 22 offers 300-degree panoramic views of London at 254 metres high where you can spot some of London’s most iconic sights and historical landmarks.
As 22 Bishopsgate is the tallest building around, your views across the city are completely uninterrupted. You’ll be amazed at just how huge London is – it seems to go on and on and extends as far as the eye can see!
Although Horizon 22 is one of the best places to visit in London for free, we’d 100% recommend booking a ticket in advance. It’s very popular and tickets get snapped up as soon as they’re released. Walk-ins are accepted, however they’re subject to capacity limitations and can’t be guaranteed.
📍 22 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AJ
Getting to Horizon 22:
- Tube: Bank, Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Monument are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near Horizon 22: 21, 25, 26, 344, 388, 43 and 47
- Trains: London Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and Liverpool Street are within a 10-minute walk
For our full guide to visiting Horizon 22, head to the blog post below.
The Sky Garden
The Sky Garden offers some of the best views of London amongst beautifully landscaped gardens with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
It’s London’s highest public garden and has an observation deck and open-air terrace which are lovely on a sunny day to gaze out at the ever-expanding London skyline.
The Sky Garden is one of our favourite free viewpoints in London because of its lush greenery creating a tropical feel. The plants are designed to flourish year-round and there are benches where you can sit with a book. Although it’s usually very busy, sitting amongst the plants feels very peaceful.
There are also a few bars and restaurants you can visit, although they do come with a price tag!
This is hands-down one of the most popular free things to do in London so make sure you book your ticket in advance. Tickets can currently be booked up to three weeks in advance.
📍 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF
Getting to The Sky Garden:
- Tube: Monument, Tower Hill, Tower Gate, Aldgate, Bank and Mansion House are less than a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near The Sky Garden: 15, 25, 26, 35, 47, 149, 344, 388, N8, N15, N25, N133 and N550
- Trains: London Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and London Bridge are close
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The Lookout
Located at 8 Bishopsgate, next door to Horizon 22 is The Lookout, offering some of the best views of London.
The Lookout is one of London’s newer viewpoints and is quite unknown compared to The Sky Garden and Horizon 22 so it tends to be quieter.
The viewing platform offers 240-degree uninterrupted views across London’s iconic landmarks, historical buildings, imposing skyscrapers and vast green spaces.
Our top tip: the Garden at 120 (see later) is the triangular roof garden in the photo above.
In our opinion, Horizon 22 is more impressive as the viewpoint is taller and wider, however, The Lookout is quieter and it’s easier to get tickets so it’s a great option if you missed the tickets for next door.
📍 The Lookout, 8 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4BQ
Getting to The Lookout:
- Tube: Bank, Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Monument are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near The Lookout: 21, 25, 26, 344, 388, 43 and 47
- Trains: London Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and Liverpool Street are within a 10-minute walk
For everything you need to know to visit The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate, head to the link below.
Madison Roof Terrace
Madison Roof Terrace is one of the best free viewpoints in London with a magnificent up-close view of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Madison is a fairly swanky Manhattan-style restaurant and bar, however, you can visit the huge rooftop and enjoy the view without entering the bar or restaurant.
Take the lift to the top floor of One New Change Shopping Centre and turn immediately left.
Our top tip: if the budget allows, Madison Roof Terrace is a gorgeous spot for a cocktail at sunset where you can admire the incredible colours over St Paul’s Cathedral.
📍 Madison Restaurant, Rooftop Terrace, One New Change, EC4M 9AF
Getting to Madison Roof Terrace:
- Tube: Bank, St Paul’s, Mansion House, Monument and Blackfriars are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near Madison Roof Terrace: 4, 8, 15, 17, 25, 26, 76, 133 N15, N21, N25, N26, N199, N242, N550 and N551
- Trains: City Thameslink, Blackfriars and Cannon Street are within a 10-minute walk
The Post Building
One of the lesser-known free viewpoints in London is the rooftop garden of The Post Building.
The Post Building is an office, retail and residential block between New Oxford Street and High Holborn and the rooftop has been designed for enjoyment, work and wellness and has one of the most unique free views of London.
To the north is Bloomsbury and the green dome of the British Museum; an angle rarely seen, to the east is Holborn and the City of London and Canary Wharf are further east and south.
You can’t prebook to visit The Post Building Roof Garden, just head into the building and speak to the receptionist. It’s open Monday – Friday between 10am and 4pm.
📍 The Post Building, Museum Street, WC1A 1PB
Getting to The Post Building:
- Tube: Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Leicester Square and Russell Square are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near The Post Building: 1, 14, 19, 24, 29, 38 55, 59, 68, 73, 98, 188, 243 and 390
Royal Opera House
Another of the lesser-known free views of London is the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
This one’s a bit cheeky as it’s the terrace for the Piazza Restaurant but as long as you’re respectful and don’t spend ages there without buying anything, no one seems to mind.
The Royal Opera House terrace has an amazing view over the bustling Covent Garden, the nearby historical buildings and the iconic London Eye peeking through in the distance.
For a lovely afternoon activity, why not enjoy a drink and a seasonal light bite at the Piazza Restaurant Terrace?
📍 5th floor of the Royal Opera House, Bow Street, WC2E 9DD
Getting to the Royal Opera House:
- Tube: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Temple and Charing Cross are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near The Royal Opera House: 1, 9, 14, 15, 23, 29, 38, 55, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 172, 188, 243 and 341
- Trains: Charing Cross is within a 10-minute walk
Garden at 120
Located on the 15th floor of the Fen Court Building, the Garden at 120 is London’s largest public rooftop space and as well as being one of the best places to visit in London for free, you don’t need to book a ticket!
The Garden at 120 is a tranquil haven in the City of London offering incredible 360-degree panoramic views of London and is home to 85 Italian wisteria trees, more than 30 fruit trees and a serene water feature.
Scattered around the garden are several benches to sit on and soak up the views of London’s vast skyline with glitzy glass skyscrapers rubbing shoulders with historical landmarks.
There’s a small kiosk on the floor below and also a beautiful restaurant with magnificent city views.
Make sure you check the opening times for the Garden at 120 as they change throughout the year.
📍 Garden at 120, 120 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 5BA
Getting to the Garden at 120:
- Tube: Monument, Aldgate, Bank, Mansion House, Liverpool Street and Tower Hill are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near The Garden at 120: 8, 15, 25, 26, 35, 42, 47, 78, 100, 115, 135, 149, 205, 242, 254, 343, 388, N8, N15 N25, N205 and N550
- Trains: Fenchurch Street and Cannon Street are within a 10-minute walk
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Nestled amongst the glitzy high rises of Canary Wharf is one of our favourite free views of London.
The Crossrail Place Roof Garden is full of exotic plants and lush greenery with benches dotted throughout where you can escape the hustle and bustle of London’s business district below.
Sitting almost on the Meridian Line, the planting in the Crossrail Place Roof Garden is arranged according to which hemisphere they’re from. Plants from the Americas including ferns are planted to the west and bamboo and other Asian plants to the east.
There’s a performance space hosting free festivals, music and performances for local people to take part in which you can attend throughout the year.
The Crossrail Place Roof Garden is one of the best places to visit in London for free and is open to the public daily until 9pm or sunset in the summer. No booking is required and we’ve never seen it hugely busy.
📍 Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Crossrail Place, E14 5AB
Getting to the Crossrail Place Roof Garden:
- Tube: Canary Wharf, West India Quay DLR, Heron Quays DLR and Poplar DLR are within a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near Cross Place Roof Garden: D8, 115, 108, 135 and 277
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a park located north of Regent’s Park and offers some of the best views of London.
Once an area where duels were fought and prize fights took place, the large grassy area at Primrose Hill is perfect for a summer’s picnic.
Trees in Primrose Hill are purposefully kept low so they don’t obscure the magnificent view of the London skyline.
Getting to Primrose Hill:
- Tube: Swiss Cottage, Chalk Farm and St John’s Wood are within a 20-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near Primrose Hill: 1, 13, 29, 31, 88, 214, 253, 274, C11, N28 and N31
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill rewards visitors with one of the best views of the London skyline and it’s located in one of our absolute favourite parks and London neighbourhoods; Hampstead Heath.
You can spend a whole day in Hampstead Heath walking amongst the park’s trails, swimming in the ponds and enjoying a picnic in the sun while looking across the city from the 98 metres high viewpoint.
Getting to Parliament Hill:
- Tube: the closest stations to Hampstead Heath Park are Gospel Oak, Hampstead Heath Overground and Hampstead.
- Bus: The following buses stop near Hampstead Heath Park: 1, 24, 46, 88, 214 and C11
Greenwich Park
With incredible skyline views of Canary Wharf, Greenwich Park is one of the most beautiful parks in London.
Climb to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park and enjoy a magnificent view from the Royal Observatory of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Maritime Greenwich, and the stunning modern skyscrapers of Canary Wharf in the background.
Greenwich Park is one of London’s best parks and is home to London’s oldest deer park, a charming rose garden, the Ranger’s House; an elegant Georgian villa originally the Park Ranger’s residence and is home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory.
Our top tip: one of the best times to visit Greenwich Park is spring when the infamous cherry blossom tunnel is in full bloom.
Getting to Greenwich Park:
- Tube: CuttySark DLR and Island Gardens DLR and within a 20-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near Greenwich Park: 53, 54, 89, 108, 129, 135, 177, 199, 188 and 386
- Trains: Maze Hill
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to 11 free viewpoints in London. If you have any questions or want to say hi, please leave a comment below and follow us on Instagram. We’d also love to hear what your favourite places to visit in London for free are.
