11 Free Viewpoints in London (And Which Are Actually Worth It)
Enjoy panoramic views of London from towering skyscrapers, spot historical sights from roof gardens, and take in the skyline from some of the city’s best parks. With so many free viewpoints in London to choose from, here’s everything you need to know – including which ones you need to book, when to visit and which are actually worth it.
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London has more free viewpoints than you might expect – scattered all over the city from lush indoor roof gardens and huge glass skyscrapers to hills in some of London’s best parks and lesser-known rooftops you could have all to yourself.
While you could pay upwards of £20 to visit The Shard, many of the viewpoints have similar perspectives. It’s not even the highest viewing platform in the city, and the London skyline actually looks better with it in the view.
The best viewpoints include places like the Sky Garden, Horizon 22 and The Lookout. And all of these are completely free to visit in London – making them some of the best ways to see the city without spending a penny.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to visit each one – including where they are, how to get there, whether you need to book and what to do if tickets are sold out. We’ll also share our honest thoughts on which are actually worth adding to your London itinerary.
If you’re visiting London for a few days, it’s worth staying somewhere central – especially around Covent Garden or South Bank to make getting around easier.
You might be surprised by just how many free things to do in London there are. While it has a reputation for being expensive (and not without good reason), there are plenty of free attractions in London, making it a great city to visit on a budget. From all of the viewpoints in this guide, to world-class museums and iconic landmarks, you can see so much without spending a penny. For more ideas, check out our full guide to 23 free things to do in London.
To help you plan your visit, use the map below to find all of London’s free viewpoints and see how they fit into your route.
Our top tip: Citymapper is great for planning your routes around London (much better than Google Maps).
No time to read this guide to London’s free viewpoints now? No worries, save it for later!
Contents
Free Viewpoints in London
From rooftop gardens and skyscrapers to some of London’s best parks, here are the best free viewpoints in London – including what to expect and whether you need to book.
Many of these are among the best free attractions in London and offer some of the best views across the city.
Horizon 22: highest viewing platform in London
We had to put Horizon 22 at the top of the list as it’s the highest viewing platform in London (yes, taller than The Shard).
You’re 254 metres above the city (The Shard is 244), and as you’re higher than every other building, which means completely uninterrupted panoramic views of London.
I’m always amazed at just how vast the city is when I visit one of the viewpoints. The skyline seems to go on and on and stretches far out to the horizon.
With 300-degree panoramic views across London, you can spot many iconic landmarks. Canary Wharf is always my favourite, sitting on the edge of the Thames as it curves out east.
How to book tickets for Horizon 22
Tickets are free and can be booked online in advance. They’re released every Monday for the following 2 weeks.
As one of the best places to visit in London for free, it’s very popular. Tickets get booked up quickly, and while walk-ins are sometimes available, they’re subject to capacity and can’t be guaranteed.
What happens if it’s fully booked?
If tickets are sold out, you can try walking in on the day, though you may have to queue, and entry isn’t guaranteed.
Another option is to book a table at one of the restaurants in the building, which allows you access to the viewing platform.
Alternatively, you can head next door to The Lookout, which also has some of the best views in London. (more on that below).
📍 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 a full guide including tickets and what to expect, read our Horizon 22 post below.
The Sky Garden
At 160 metres above the city, The Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden and one of the most popular free viewpoints in London. Itcombines beautifully landscaped gardens with panoramic views of the skyline – some of the best views of London.
As soon as you step out of the lift, you’re greeted by huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a glass ceiling, making the room feel really light and open.
The Sky Garden is one of the only free viewing platforms in London with 360-degree views, and there’s also an open-air terrace, which is lovely for some fresh air while taking in some of the best views of London.
How to book tickets for the Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is free to visit, but spaces are limited, so it’s best to book your tickets online in advance. Tickets are released every Monday for the next 3 weeks.
You can turn up on the day and queue; however, there’s no guarantee you’ll get in, and you may be queuing for hours, as this is one of the most popular free things to do in London.
What happens if it’s fully booked?
If tickets are sold out, you can try turning up and seeing what the queue is like. Arrive for opening, as you’ll have a better chance of getting in. It’s also worth checking for cancellations before your visit.
Alternatively, you can still visit by booking a breakfast, dinner or experience which includes access – you’ll find a few options below. These are easier to get than standard tickets, especially for popular time slots.
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📍 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
For our full guide, including tickets and what to expect, head to our Sky Garden post below.
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The Lookout
Next door to Horizon 22 is one of London’s newer viewpoints, The Lookout. It’s still relatively unknown compared to many of the others, so it tends to be quieter and a good option if you’ve missed out on tickets for the more popular ones.
The free viewing platform offers 240-degree views across London’s iconic landmarks, historical buildings and huge skyscrapers.
Our top tip: the Garden at 120 (more on that later) is the triangular roof garden in the photo on the left.
How to get tickets to The Lookout
Tickets for The Lookout can be booked online and are released every Monday for the following 2 weeks.
In our experience, tickets are easier to get than Horizon 22 and the Sky Garden, but they’re still worth booking as soon as they’re released – especially as this is a popular backup option if others are fully booked.
What happens if it’s fully booked?
If tickets are sold out, you can try turning up on the day and checking the queue. However, this viewpoint is significantly smaller than the others, so capacity is more limited.
📍 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 our guide below.
One New Change Roof Terrace
One New Change Roof Terrace has one of the best views of London, with an up-close look at St Paul’s Cathedral.
It sits above the One New Change shopping centre in the City of London, accessed by a glass elevator to the top.
On the roof, you’ll find Madison’s, a swanky New York-style restaurant and bar, with views across the skyline and St Paul’s. It’s a great spot for a cocktail, especially at sunset, but it does come with a hefty price tag.
You don’t need a ticket for the viewpoint, and I’ve never experienced a queue. It can get busy around sunset, but the space is large enough that it doesn’t feel overcrowded.
📍One New Change, EC4M 9AF
Getting to One New Change 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 Roof Garden
The Post Building is one of London’s lesser-known free viewpoints – and one of our favourites.
It offers one of the most unique panoramic views of London and feels very different to the Sky Garden, Horizon 22 and The Lookout. Rather than being completely immersed in the city, you’re out of it, looking back at the cluster of skyscrapers.
To the north, you’ll see Bloomsbury and the green dome of the British Museum – an angle that’s rarely seen. To the east, the view stretches across Holborn towards the City of London and Canary Wharf in the distance.
The Post Building is an office block with a rooftop garden. We’ve visited twice – once we had it completely to ourselves, and the second time, there were just a couple of other groups. Both visits were on weekends.
You can’t prebook – just head into the building and speak to security. You’ll need to show ID and put your bags through an airport-style scanner. It’s open Monday – Friday between 10am and 7pm (or dusk if that’s earlier).
📍 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: 1, 14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 55, 59, 68, 73, 98, 188, 243 and 390 stop nearby
The Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is a bit of a cheeky free viewpoint, as it’s technically the terrace for Bar Cicoria.
It has a great view over the bustling Covent Garden Piazza and Market Building and out to the London Eye in the distance.
Although it’s a bar, I’ve visited the terrace a couple of times without buying anything. As long as you’re respectful, no one seems to mind you enjoying the view for a few minutes.
I’ve also visited the bar, and let me tell you, sipping a glass of prosecco while people-watching over Covent Garden is something I would definitely recommend. It made me feel rather indulgent and like I was in a movie set in London.
📍 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: 1, 9, 14, 15, 23, 29, 38, 55, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 172, 188, 243 and 341 all stop nearby
- Trains: Charing Cross is within a 10-minute walk
Garden at 120: London's largest public rooftop
The Garden at 120 is London’s largest public rooftop, located on the 15th floor of the Fen Court Building.
It’s a peaceful spot in the City of London with sweeping 360-degree views – and you don’t need to book a ticket!
The garden is thoughtfully designed, with wisteria, fruit trees, water features and plenty of benches scattered around for you to sit and take in the skyline.
There’s also a small kiosk on the floor below and a gorgeous restaurant with unique views across the city.
Opening times vary throughout the year, so it’s worth checking before you visit. This viewpoint is becoming more and more popular, so you may need to queue. If you can, arrive for opening to help avoid the crowds.
📍 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: 8, 15, 25, 26, 35, 42, 47, 78, 100, 115, 135, 149, 205, 242, 254, 343, 388, N8, N15, N25, N205, and N550 stop nearby
- Trains: Fenchurch Street and Cannon Street are within a 10-minute walk
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Across London, and tucked among the glitzy skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, the Crossrail Place Roof Garden is a quieter, lesser-known viewpoint in London.
It’s not even close to being one of the tallest buildings around, but that’s what makes it unique. Instead of looking out across the skyline, you’re looking up at the surrounding towers. It’s a completely different perspective.
The garden is full of plants and lush greenery with benches dotted throughout. It’s the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of London’s business district below.
It also sits close to the Meridian Line, and the planting reflects this. Ferns and plants from the Americas are found to the west, while bamboo and other Asian plants sit to the east.
You’ll also find a performance space that hosts free events for locals to take part in 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). There’s no need to book, and in our experience, it never feels too busy. The plants do a great job at making it feel peaceful, even when crowded.
📍 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: D8, 115, 108, 135 and 277 stop nearby
That’s us covered the buildings and rooftop viewpoints, but some of London’s best parks also offer great views of the city.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is one of the best parks in London, with a great view across the city skyline.
Once the site of duels and prize fights, today it couldn’t feel more different – it’s now a lovely spot for a summer picnic.
The trees are purposefully kept low so they don’t block the view, leaving a wide, open perspective across London.
If you’re exploring the area, it’s worth heading a little further along Regent’s Canal towards Camden or Little Venice. There are some great walking routes here, and you can even join a guided canal walk to learn more about the area’s history while seeing a different side of London.
Getting to Primrose Hill:
- Tube: Swiss Cottage, Chalk Farm and St John’s Wood are within a 20-minute walk
- Bus: 1, 13, 29, 31, 88, 214, 253, 274, C11, N28, and N31 stop nearby
Parliament Hill: best park views in London
Parliament Hill offers one of the best views of London, and it sits in one of our absolute favourite parks, Hampstead Heath.
You can easily spend a whole day here, walking the trails, swimming in the ponds (yes, you can wild swim in a London park!), and enjoying a picnic in the sun while taking in the view from the 98-metre-high hill.
The village around the park, Hampstead, is also well worth a visit. With its cobbled streets, independent cafes, cosy pubs and Georgian houses, it feels a world away from central London.
If you want to explore a bit more, you can take a guided tour of Hampstead village, where you’ll hear about its history as an 18th-century spa town.
It’s also one of the best areas to stay if you fancy somewhere a little quieter and village-like.
Getting to Parliament Hill:
- Tube: Gospel Oak, Hampstead Heath Overground and Hampstead
- Bus: 1, 24, 46, 88, 214, and C11 stop nearby
Greenwich Park
With incredible skyline views of Canary Wharf, Greenwich Park is easily one of the best parks in London.
Head straight to the top of the hill for one of the city’s most iconic views, from the Royal Observatory across the historic Maritime Greenwich, to the futuristic skyscrapers of Canary Wharf beyond – a striking contrast of old and new.
The park itself has plenty to explore, including London’s oldest deer park, a rose garden, and the Ranger’s House – an elegant Georgian villa. It’s also home to 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 famous cherry blossom tunnel is in full bloom.
If you’re spending some time in Greenwich, it’s worth heading down to the river to visit the Cutty Sark. You can even combine your visit with afternoon tea on board the ship, which is a unique way to experience one of London’s most famous landmarks.
Getting to Greenwich Park:
- Tube: CuttySark DLR and Island Gardens DLR are within a 20-minute walk
- Bus: 53, 54, 89, 108, 129, 135, 177, 199, 188, and 386 stop nearby
- Trains: Maze Hill
Which Free Viewpoints in London are Actually Worth Visiting?
With so many free viewpoints in London, it’s not easy deciding which ones to prioritise – especially if you’re only here for a weekend. Many of these are also some of the best places to visit in London for free, and compared to other free viewpoints in London, some offer a better overall experience – so it’s worth choosing carefully.
- Sky Garden: our top choice as the gardens and terrace really set it apart, adding something extra on top of the views. Even though it’s the busiest, the gardens help keep it surprisingly peaceful.
- Horizon 22: coming in at a close second. The views are better as you’re higher, but the space itself is quite minimal – essentially a large glass room without much character.
- Garden at 120: One of our favourites. If you can’t get tickets to the top two and it’s a dry day, this is a great alternative. Being outside makes you feel more connected to the city. The Walkie-Talkie looks absolutely huge as you’re right next to it.
- The Lookout: a solid backup if the others are fully booked. The views are similar to Horizon 22 – it’s just not as high.
- Parliament Hill: our top park recommendation. A lovely day out in London is strolling through Hampstead Village, walking the park’s trails, swimming in the ponds and having a picnic on the hill.
- Royal Opera House: great for an afternoon drink overlooking Covent Garden. It’s a very different experience from the others, but lovely for a drink while you’re exploring central London.
- One New Change: not worth going out of your way for, but worth stopping by if you’re already in the City or planning to go to Madison.
Tips For Visiting Free Viewpoints in London
Booking tickets
For the Sky Garden, Horizon 22 and The Lookout, you’ll need to book tickets in advance. They’re released on Mondays – 3 weeks ahead for the Sky Garden and 2 weeks ahead for the others. Tickets get booked up quickly, especially on weekends and in the holidays.
What to do if tickets are sold out
If tickets are sold out, you can try turning up on the day and queuing, booking early access at the Sky Garden, or visiting one of the other free viewpoints instead.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit is either in the morning when it’s quieter, or at sunset to see London lit up in a fiery glow.
Plan your route
Plan your route using Citymapper and the map above. Group nearby viewpoints together so you’ve got a backup if you can’t get into one.
Seeing London from above is one of the best ways to appreciate just how vast and varied the city is – and with so many free viewpoints to choose from, it’s really easy to do so. Whether you’re heading up a skyscraper or finding a quiet spot on a roof garden, there’s always somewhere to catch some of the best views of London without paying. If you’re short on time, focus on the top few, but wherever you end up, you won’t be disappointed.
If you’re planning more time in the city, we’ve shared plenty more guides below, including more free attractions in London to help you plan your trip. You can also follow along on Instagram to see what we’re up to in London in real time and for more travel tips.
And if you’ve got any questions about visiting any of these viewpoints, feel free to leave a comment – we’re always happy to help 😊 .