London looks different from every height. From a City skyscraper, you can trace the bends of the Thames. From a hill in Greenwich, historic buildings fill the foreground. And from the London Eye, Westminster is suddenly right in front of you.
The good news is that, in London, you don’t have to pay for a great view. Since we moved to London we have visited probably all of London’s best viewing galleries, rooftop gardens and hilltops that are free and also some paid ones. This guide will help you choose the ones that suit your trip, with booking details, opening hours and accessibility information for each.
If you only have time for one: Our personal recommendation would be choosing Horizon 22 for a high, free panorama; One New Change for a close-up view of St Paul’s; or Greenwich Park for the best combination of scenery and a day out.
The best free views of London
Horizon 22
Best for: A sweeping view from high above the City
Where: 22 Bishopsgate, near Liverpool Street and Bank
Cost: Free; book a timed ticket
Usual hours: Monday–Friday 10am–6pm; Saturday 10am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm
Horizon 22 is the place to start if you want to see as much of London as possible without buying an observation-deck ticket. The indoor gallery is on level 58 of 22 Bishopsgate and offers a 300-degree view. You can pick out the Thames, the City’s towers and landmarks much farther away.
Book a free ticket on the Horizon 22 website. Lift access is provided, and visitors who need additional support can select a special assistance ticket when booking. The views are through glass, so photographers may notice reflections, particularly after dark.
Sky Garden
Best for: A skyline view in an indoor garden
Where: 20 Fenchurch Street, near Monument
Cost: Free during public visiting hours; book ahead
Public visiting hours: Monday–Friday 10am–6pm; weekends and bank holidays 11am–9pm
Sky Garden sits at the top of the building Londoners call the Walkie Talkie. Its planting, open interior and views towards the Thames make it feel more like a destination than a quick stop at a window.
Free tickets are released through the Sky Garden website weekly, up to three weeks before the visit. A limited number of walk-ins may be admitted if there is space, but don’t rely on this for a carefully planned day. Restaurants and bars have their own hours; a restaurant reservation includes access, while free public admission follows the hours above.
The visitor route is step-free, with lifts from street level and between the garden levels. Even with a reservation, allow time for the entrance queue and security check.
The Garden at 120
Best for: An open-air rooftop without a booking
Where: 120 Fenchurch Street; enter through Hogarth Court
Cost: Free; no ticket required
Summer hours, April–September: Weekdays 10am–9pm; weekends 10am–5pm
Winter hours, October–March: Weekdays 10am–6.30pm; weekends 10am–5pm
Bank holidays: Closed
The Garden at 120 is an excellent choice when you want rooftop views but haven’t booked anything. On the 15th floor, you can step outside, look across the surrounding City buildings and take a breather from sightseeing.
Enter Hogarth Court from Fenchurch Street or Fenchurch Avenue, pass through security and take the lift. The route into the garden is step-free, although its paving is not perfectly flat. An accessible toilet is available on level 14.
Check the Fen Court website for changes or occasional closures before setting off.
The Lookout
Best for: Another high City view, particularly if you’re nearby
Where: 8 Bishopsgate
Cost: Free; book a timed ticket
Usual hours: Monday and Friday noon–9pm; Tuesday–Thursday 10.30am–5.30pm; Saturday 11am–6pm; Sunday and bank holidays 10am–5pm
The Lookout is an indoor viewing gallery on the 50th floor of 8 Bishopsgate. It is close enough to Horizon 22 that enthusiastic skyline watchers can visit both, but you don’t need to: each gives you a satisfying City view on its own.
Reserve a free ticket through the official Lookout website. The space is also used for private events, so check the booking calendar for your date. If you have specific accessibility requirements, contact the venue before your visit to confirm the arrangements that meet your needs.
One New Change roof terrace
Best for: The most striking close-up view of St Paul’s Cathedral
Where: One New Change, directly beside St Paul’s
Cost: Free; no viewing ticket required
Hours: Check current terrace access before visiting
This rooftop offers a very different view from a skyscraper. St Paul’s dome rises almost in front of you, with the wider skyline beyond. It is an easy addition to a walk from the cathedral towards the Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern.
The terrace is a public, free-to-enter space. There is also a restaurant and bar on the roof, but you do not need to buy anything to use the public area. Access can be restricted for events, safety or security, so consult the One New Change roof terrace page before making a special trip. An accessible route to the terrace is available.
Free hilltop views
Greenwich Park viewpoint
Best for: Historic Greenwich in the foreground and London beyond
Where: Beside the General Wolfe statue, outside the Royal Observatory
Cost: Free; no Observatory ticket needed
Walk up the hill in Greenwich Park and turn around. The Queen’s House and Old Royal Naval College line up below you, with the Thames and Canary Wharf beyond. It is one of London’s finest views because there is so much to see before your eye even reaches the distant skyline.
The viewpoint is outside the Royal Observatory, so it costs nothing. Buy an Observatory ticket only if you also want to see its exhibitions and the Prime Meridian line. Observatory admission was £24 for adults and £12 for children aged 4–15 when checked.
The walk uphill may be challenging for some visitors. Plan your route in advance if you need an easier approach, and check Greenwich Park’s gate times if you intend to stay for sunset. Royal Museums Greenwich explains where to find the free viewpoint.
Primrose Hill
Best for: A relaxed, open view of the central London skyline
Where: North of Regent’s Park
Cost: Free
Primrose Hill is a good choice when you want to sit and enjoy the view rather than move through an attraction. Bring a picnic on a pleasant day, or visit when the light is clear enough to pick out buildings across the skyline.
You will need to walk uphill on outdoor paths. Also check access if you plan an evening visit: during the published 2026 summer closure period, the hill closes from 10pm to 6am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, while weekday access remains open around the clock. See the Royal Parks’ Primrose Hill page for current notices.
Parliament Hill
Best for: A long walk ending with a distant panorama
Where: Hampstead Heath; Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak stations are nearby
Cost: Free
Parliament Hill gives you space and distance. London’s buildings appear together on the horizon rather than towering around you, which makes it especially rewarding on a clear day.
This is an outdoor hilltop with natural paths, so conditions can change after rain. If you need information about paths and facilities, consult the City of London’s Parliament Hill viewpoint guide before visiting.
Alexandra Park
Best for: A wide north London view
Where: Outside Alexandra Palace
Cost: Free
The grounds around Alexandra Palace look south across London. The park viewpoint is free and works well if you are already visiting the area. Alexandra Park is normally open throughout the day and night, though events can affect routes and facilities. Check the official opening information before travelling.
There is also a separate paid, guided roof climb called Summit at Alexandra Palace. You do not need to book that experience to enjoy the view from the park.
Paid viewpoints and climbs
The View from The Shard
Best for: A very high view from south of the Thames
Where: The Shard, beside London Bridge station
Cost: Paid; prices vary by date and time
Hours: Vary by date; last entry is usually one hour before closing
From The Shard, you look back over the river towards the City and across a much larger stretch of London. It is worth considering if a high observation deck is one of the experiences you particularly want from your trip.
Check the official calendar and ticket prices for your date rather than planning around a fixed daily schedule. The attraction provides accessibility information and eligible free carer tickets. It also advertises a view guarantee with a possible free return when visibility is very poor; read the conditions before booking.
London Eye
Best for: Westminster, the Thames and a memorable first visit
Where: South Bank, opposite the Houses of Parliament
Cost: Paid; standard adult tickets were advertised from £29 online when checked
Hours: Change by date
The London Eye is as much an experience as a viewpoint. Over roughly 30 minutes, its enclosed pod carries you above the river, with the Palace of Westminster particularly close. It makes sense as part of a South Bank or Westminster itinerary.
Book a time through the official London Eye website. The time on a standard ticket tells you when to join the queue, so allow extra time before your ride.
The London Eye is wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair users need to reserve a wheelchair time slot when arranging their visit. Eligible guests can also add a free carer ticket. Check the accessibility information before booking.
St Paul’s Cathedral dome
Best for: A historic building and a rewarding climb
Where: St Paul’s Cathedral
Cost: Paid sightseeing ticket; £27 per adult when checked
Usual sightseeing hours: Monday–Saturday 8.30am–4.30pm; last entry 4pm
Climbing the dome at St Paul’s lets you experience the building as well as the view. We have done it with one of our little ones and we loved it. I will remember that day forever. The Stone Gallery looks out over London after 376 steps. Continue to the Golden Gallery for the highest viewpoint, reached after 528 steps in total.
The dome galleries are accessible by stairs only. Some sections are narrow and may be unsuitable if you have mobility difficulties or concerns about heights or enclosed spaces. A ticket to see the cathedral does not provide a step-free route to the viewpoint.
Services and special events can change sightseeing access. Selected Sunday dome visits are sold separately. Check the St Paul’s ticket calendar for your date.
Tower Bridge
Best for: Views along the Thames and a glass floor
Where: Entrance on the west side of Tower Bridge’s North Tower
Cost: £18 per adult when checked
Usual hours: Daily 9.30am–6pm; last entry 5pm
The high-level walkways at Tower Bridge give you views along the river from inside one of London’s best-known landmarks. You can also look down through sections of glass floor. If that does not appeal, you can enjoy the rest of the walkway without standing on the glass.
Admission includes the towers, walkways and Victorian Engine Rooms. Lifts serve the high-level walkways and Engine Rooms, and accessible toilets are available. Check tickets and visitor information on the Tower Bridge website.
The Monument
Best for: A short, steep climb with London history attached
Where: Fish Street Hill, near Monument station
Cost: £7 per adult when checked
Usual hours: Daily 9.30am–1pm and 2pm–6pm; last entry 12.30pm and 5.30pm
Built to commemorate the Great Fire of London, the Monument rewards anyone willing to climb its 311 spiral steps with a view across the surrounding City. The viewing platform has a safety enclosure, which can make photography less straightforward.
There is no lift, and the climb is unsuitable for wheelchair users or anyone unable to manage the staircase. Check the official visitor page on the day, as closures can occur.
The Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station
Best for: A viewpoint that is part of an unusual building
Where: Battersea Power Station
Cost: Standard adult tickets were advertised from £16 online when checked
Hours: Vary by date
Formerly called Lift 109, this attraction now uses The Chimney Lift name. The visit begins with an exhibition about Battersea Power Station before a glass lift rises through one of its chimneys to a 109-metre viewpoint.
Book through the official Chimney Lift website. Its published opening calendar is more reliable than a general weekly timetable; the stated closing time is normally the last opportunity to ascend.
Visitors who need step-free access should read the accessibility guidance and arrange the appropriate booking option in advance.
Up at The O2
Best for: An outdoor adventure and views towards east London
Where: The O2, North Greenwich
Cost: Paid; select a daytime, sunset or twilight climb
Hours: Depend on the available climbs
This is a guided walk over The O2’s roof, rather than a lift to an observation deck. At the top, the view takes in Greenwich, Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park. It is a good choice if you would enjoy the climb itself as much as the skyline.
Check dates, prices and participation requirements on the official Up at The O2 page. Special wheelchair climbs are available on selected dates through a separate advance booking process. Contact the climbing team before buying tickets if anyone in your group needs an accessible climb.
Is Tate Modern’s viewing terrace open?
Tate Modern’s Level 10 is often recommended as a free viewpoint, but access to the outdoor terrace and different sides of the view has changed over time. If you are visiting the museum anyway, check the current Level 10 information and ask staff what is open that day. I would not make it the only reason for a journey across London.
Which viewpoint should you choose?
For a free skyline visit, book Horizon 22 or Sky Garden. Choose the Garden at 120 if you would rather keep your plans flexible. For a photograph of St Paul’s, head to One New Change; for a more relaxed afternoon with a view, go to Greenwich Park or Primrose Hill.
If you want to pay for one experience, let the location decide: London Eye for Westminster, The Shard for height and river views, St Paul’s for a historic climb, or The Chimney Lift for Battersea. You do not need to visit several observation decks to appreciate London from above. One paid experience paired with a free viewpoint will give you two very different perspectives.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.