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I by no means get bored with the views in London.
Despite the fact that I might not like dwelling in a metropolis the place the views are a endless stretch of clusters of buildings, excessive and low, historic, and fashionable, I positive love taking a look at it from all of the a number of views and viewpoints on a trip in London.
Over our 10 days exploring London, we skilled what we expect are among the greatest views in London.
(We all know there are such a lot of issues we missed. Please tell us within the feedback what London views we have to expertise subsequent time!)
The Thames River winding by means of town enhances the view as do the verdant glimpses of the various London parks and gardens.
Most placing are the ever present views of St Paul’s.
In reality, as we realized on our London Eye River cruise, the explanation lots of the fashionable London skyscrapers are humorous shapes (and aesthetically pleasing) is as a result of, by legislation, St Paul must be seen from eight separate locations in London. Subsequently, new buildings are designed so they don’t impede these views.
Isn’t that so cool?
I like how historical past and custom is persevered and revered in England.
Our record of high views of London are a mix of free and paid experiences.
TOP TIP
Most of the paid points of interest are on the London Go by Go Metropolis, which is a superb cash saving low cost vacationer card for a choose variety of days or points of interest.
Relying in your math, you can both use it for all of the points of interest you need to do, or use the cardboard for the most costly after which buy separate tickets for the cheaper points of interest individually. (We had been gifted a 3-day metropolis go)
The Shard
- Location: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG
- Closest Tube: London Bridge
Piercing the sky above is the needle-like construction of the Shard, the tallest constructing in Western Europe.
It’s rapidly turning into a London icon, particularly for the unimaginable views from its 72nd ground open-air platform. There may be an enclosed viewing platform on degree 69 as nicely.
The Shard View is an costly factor to do in London, however the 244m excessive, sweeping London views make it worthwhile. You get a implausible perspective of the Thames snaking by means of town east to west.
To actually really feel simply how excessive you’re, look as much as see how shut the planes are flying overhead! (Not scary simply WOW!)
We visited proper on sundown and I beloved it greater than I believed I might. I actually need to return through the day however we couldn’t make it work.
Goal for about an hour earlier than sundown, so you’ll be able to expertise the nightfall golden gentle views, sundown panoramic views, and nighttime views when these London lights sparkle.
There’s a rooftop bar up right here with seating areas, so seize your alternative of cocktails, and chill out. I’d stroll round with a drink in hand to take in the views from all of the totally different angles.
You will need to reserve your tickets prematurely. (It’s going to additionally prevent cash). This attraction is included within the Go Metropolis Go. This could be the star occasion of the go!
STAY:
Wish to expertise 5-star luxurious with these views? The Shangri La Resort is situated on Stage 34 of the Shard. Every room has floor-to-ceiling home windows offering spectacular views of town, and maintains the theme of Oriental class discovered all through the lodge. Test availability and guide your keep right here.
London Eye
- Location: Riverside Constructing, County Corridor, London SE1 7PB
- Closest Tube: Waterloo
I used to be apprehensive the London Eye could be an over-hyped vacationer attraction. It wasn’t. The panoramic views of London from listed here are phenomenal.
You get half-hour to take all of it in as you slowly rotate with views of a lot of London’s most iconic sights: Large Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and naturally, the River Thames.
I additionally beloved wanting down upon the opposite London Eye pods from the very high. It felt somewhat unnatural and made my abdomen flutter somewhat, however as soon as I distracted myself with the views, I didn’t really feel nervous in any respect.
At 135 m tall, The London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered statement wheel. It opened as a short lived celebration of the brand new millennium and was so profitable they determined to maintain it. It’s now London’s high paid attraction.
The Lastminute.com London Eye hosted us in a personal pod, which solely enhanced the expertise as we didn’t need to compete with others for viewing home windows and it meant Savannah might rock out as many dance strikes as attainable.
Sky Backyard
- Location: 20 Fenchurch St
- Nearest Tube: Monument Station
An Instagram follower informed us the views from Sky Backyard had been unmissable and a free various to The Shard.
Often called the Walkie Talkie constructing for its form, it’s at present the fifth tallest constructing within the metropolis of London at 160m tall. I like the way it faces the Shard on the North facet of the Thames.
It’s generally known as being London’s highest public backyard and has an open-air terrace with lush vegetation and uninterrupted panoramas of town’s skyline.
It additionally has two eating places and bars.
The tip is to order a desk within the restaurant for a particular eating expertise with views. This additionally provides you entry to the Sky Backyard. The costs aren’t too unhealthy while you examine it to London eating places on road degree.
You will need to reserve a ticket prematurely (free) to go to the Sky Backyard and revel in the perfect free views of London
We couldn’t reserve both a free viewing ticket or place on the restaurant for any of our out there instances whereas in London. (Reserve yours right here.)
As they generally permit walk-ins if they’ve house, we tried on a Monday. However, unbeknownst to us, the primary Monday of the month is once they shut the Skygarden for upkeep!! Now you recognize.
The doorman gave us an important tip on an excellent London viewpoint simply across the nook.
And that was….
The Backyard at 120 Fenchurch St
- Location: 120 Fenchurch Road
- Nearest Tube: Aldgate St or Fenchurch St (overground)
120 Fenchurch St is one other excessive rise in London with a sky backyard and a formidable 360-degree view. You get implausible views of the Sky Backyard from right here, so we might type of fake we went there.
Because it’s solely 15 tales excessive, among the different close by skyscrapers could block among the view however you’ll be able to see Tower Bridge from right here, the Shard and Canary Wharf within the distance.
I beloved wanting down upon the little Indian Pale Ale Pub, which is the place my brother and buddies as soon as labored and a pub I’d steadily stroll previous after a shift on the pub I labored in at close by Liverpool St!
St Paul’s Cathedral
- Location: 120 Fenchurch Road
- Nearest Tube: St Paul’s
Not solely is St Paul’s an beautiful architectural gem, a London icon and high attraction value visiting, it’s additionally a spot to get an impressive view of London.
We had restricted time on our guided tour, so didn’t get to see the view from the highest of St Paul’s (111m excessive), however I did do it whereas dwelling in London over 20 years in the past. It’s beautiful!
To get there climb the 378 steps to The Stone Gallery and an additional 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for far-reaching views of town, together with the River Thames, Tate Trendy and the Globe Theatre.
Need one other cool view in St Paul’s Cathedral?
Ask the attendants if they’ll take you to the spiraling Harry Potter staircase. This staircase in St Paul’s was used because the “Divination Stairwell” situated within the North Tower of Hogwarts Fort for the Harry Potter movies, .
Oxo Tower
- Location: Barge Home St, London SE1 9PH
- Nearest Tube: Wouthwark/ Waterloo
Many due to our tour information from Monograms journey who gave us this tip on our half day tour of London.
Oxo Tower is a residential constructing on the southern banks of the River Thames.
On the highest ground (8th) is a restaurant and public viewing gallery. They don’t make this identified so it truly is a London native secret.
The restaurant and bar each seem like a high spot for a day drink, or perhaps a meal. However, if you would like the funds view expertise, you’ll be able to exit to the small public viewing space for a peak.
Tate Trendy
- Location: Bankside London SE1 9TG
- Nearest Tube: Southwark / Blackfriars
One other high free view of London is from the Tate Trendy artwork gallery. Opened in 2000, in a dilapidated outdated energy station on an industrial stretch of the River Thames southern shore, it has utterly revitalized this space, making it utterly unrecognizable to my 22-year-old self dwelling in London in 1997.
It’s not only a place to admire world-class artwork, however the two London viewpoints it affords.
Head as much as the enclosed 6th ground Kitchen and Bar within the Natalie Bell Constructing for placing views of the Thames, Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Apparently, the views from The Viewing Stage, an open viewing terrace on the highest ground (10th) of the Blavatnik Constructing are equally spectacular, though at present closed, so we missed it. From right here you’ll be able to see throughout the River Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral, and so far as Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium.
I believe tea and scones would match completely with the views from the Tate Trendy!
The Founder’s Arms
- Location: 52 Hopton St, London SE1 9JH, United Kingdom
- Nearest Tube: Southwark / Blackfriars
After your go to to the Tate Trendy, stroll out the entrance, flip left and seize a desk on the riverside pub, The Founder’s Arms.
We completely beloved the road degree views from right here of the River Thames, Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s, and the North Financial institution.
Fingers crossed you’ll be able to snag a desk outdoors, particularly if the solar is out and you’ve got a uncommon T-Shirt climate day. (Luck was in our favor!)
They’ve ground to ceiling views from inside out their glass home windows, so you’ll be able to’t go incorrect, even if you’re caught inside.
A Pimm’s & lemonade is the drink to match this London view! And this may be an important spot for a pub lunch as nicely.
I used to be very happy with my chips and mayo – a favourite London dish I ate nearly each day. For the Individuals, that’s chips as in fries.
The following London view is a simple 10 steps away.
Millennium Bridge
These beautiful St Paul views proceed as you cross over the Millennium Bridge, with the dome rising in entrance of your eyes with every step.
Look behind for views of Tate Trendy, and to the proper for Tower Bridge views, and views of life on each banks of the river.
The Millennium Bridge opened in 2000.
It’s also called the Wobbly Bridge as when it was first opened, an engineering defect prompted it to shake and wobble when individuals walked throughout it. They needed to shut it down for 2 years to repair it.
It’s now completely protected. I like its warped, futuristic model.
Make sure to look down. An unknown artist steadily comes by and secretly creates art work out of the dried-up gum. Gross however cool.
Harry Potter Followers: London Boys College (on the left as you method the north facet) was the place Daniel Radcliffe went to highschool. Bear in mind when the Dying Eaters assault London within the scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? They had been filmed on the Millennium Bridge.
The Golden Jubilee Bridges
- Nearest Tube: Embankment / Waterloo
One other spot for stunning London views is the Golden Jubilee Bridge, which spans the River Thames between Embankment and Southbank.
There are two of those pedestrian bridges on both facet of the Hungerford Bridge.
In the event you take the facet closest to the London Eye you’ll have splendid views from the facet of the London Eye and Large Ben.
As you cross over the bridge flip left and stroll alongside the north facet of the river for extra views of the London Eye again over the river.
Moored on the Thames is the Tattershall Fort, a former passenger ferry turned pub that has views of the London Eye.
We didn’t get to step in for a drink because it was all the time busy, and we weren’t positive how family-friendly it was.
I believe ingesting a Pimm’s right here on a heat English afternoon with these views could be a reminiscence.
Large Ben and Winston Churchill
- Location: London SW1P 3JX, United Kingdom
- Closest Tube: Westminster
Considered one of our favourite iconic London pictures we captured on our journey – that even native Londoners didn’t find out about – was that of Winston Churchill looking upon Large Ben.
Parliament Sq. is subsequent to the Homes of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It has statues of well-known statesmen together with Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.
Fortunately, we visited when a lot of the scaffolding was off the Large Ben tower so we might seize this good view from behind Winston.
The Tower Bridge
- Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
- Nearest Tube: Tower Hill
London’s most well-known bridge, with its two turreted towers and light-weight blue suspension cables is NOT London Bridge. It’s a simple frequent false impression when it’s such an iconic image of London.
It’s referred to as Tower Bridge and sits proper beside the Tower of London, one of many metropolis’s high points of interest. London Bridge as compared is nondescript.
You may stroll throughout Tower Bridge at no cost and get splendid views overlooking the Thames and again over the Tower of London.
You can even go up and contained in the towers for greater views and to study extra in regards to the bridge. It’s a paid attraction and is included in your London attraction go.
Test for instances when the Tower Bridge will increase up its bridge arms so boats beneath can go by. They do need to guide it 24 hours prematurely so you’ll be able to plan forward for this cool expertise. On common, Tower Bridge opens its bascules round 800 instances a 12 months, that’s round twice a day. Test opening instances right here.
We timed it completely for once we completed our Tower of London expertise and crossed over to get lunch at Borough Markets.
We had been caught on the Tower Bridge facet, which was not the perfect facet for the noonday solar. Optimum gentle would have been on the Southern facet. Think about that when you’re planning to see the bridge rise.
The views of Tower Bridge from the southern facet of the Thames are additionally nice.
River Thames Cruise
One other strategy to expertise the gorgeous views of London is from a guided commentary cruise on the River Thames. We did the 40-minute cruise aboard the London Eye simply earlier than our London Eye expertise.
I realized lots about London historical past and life with a couple of humorous tales thrown in.
Right here’s one which made me chuckle. The Ministry Protection, which is reverse the London Eye, took the statement wheel to courtroom to try to shut it down. They feared spies would journey as much as the highest and peak into their home windows with binoculars to steal all their secrets and techniques.
The choose’s response: “You’re the Ministry of Protection. Go purchase some blinds!”
You’ll sail previous among the world’s most well-known landmarks together with The Shard, Tate Trendy, St Paul’s Cathedral, Homes of Parliament and Large Ben, The London Eye, Tower of London and underneath Tower Bridge.
One other river cruise possibility is the brand new ‘View from the River’ cruise from The Shard in partnership with Uber boats by Thames Clipper. They run twice a day from Wednesday-Sunday leaving at 2pm and three:15pm. This one has a completely stocked bar and seasonal treats.
We had been devastated to overlook the launch celebration of this by 5 minutes. Though we left with loads of time to make departure, our tube was stopped mid-ride because of somebody trespassing on the tracks.
We needed to end the remainder of the journey by sprinting alongside the Thames riverfront lacking the boat solely by minutes. It was probably the most good London climate too, with clear skies, heat climate, and probably the most stunning sundown gentle.
That’s the one remorse I’ve from our two weeks in London. These views would have been wonderful!
Take a look at this sundown cruise with canapés and bubbles
The Uber by Thames Clipper boats are a mode of public transport in London. So, you may get these river views just by getting from A to B.
A journey is costlier than the tube nevertheless and also you need to be fast getting on and off. It’s a fast-moving commuter expertise that waits for nobody.
Blackfriars Bridge at Sundown
We stumbled upon this London sundown view accidently as we sprinted for our Shard View night sundown cruise. Seeing a spectacular sundown like this in London is a rarity as a result of ever-hanging low grey clouds.
This night was completely clear and the solar a large orb because it sank down behind town casting an orangey pinky glow over all the metropolis.
I turned for a fast snap as I used to be operating. It’s not an important photograph in consequence, however you’ll be able to see it is a stunning London view value seeing.
In the event you time it proper head all the way down to the Southern banks of the Thames. I believe the Blackfriars Bridge provides you with top-of-the-line views, however I’m positive there are lots of different nice sundown spots alongside the Southside of the river.
We couldn’t time it to get down there on one other night when the skies had been clear.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
- Location: Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ, United Kingdom
- Nearest Tube: Greenwich
The most effective views in London must be from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
You look out throughout the leafy greens of Greenwich village and Greenwich Park, the outdated looking park behind the palaces. Wanting past that’s the beautiful buildings of the Queen’s Home, Nationwide Maritime Museum, and the Previous Royal Naval School, likened to architectural splendor of the Palace of Versailles.
Placing the icing on the cake, is the view behind of the glittering fashionable skyscrapers forming the Canary Wharf skyline in entrance of the Thames.
It’s the proper encapsulation of the trendy and historic worlds that London has advanced by means of to grow to be this unimaginable metropolis we love a lot.
Extra High Views in London
Listed here are a couple of different locations in London for high viewpoints. We ran out of time, however they’re on our record for our subsequent journey to London!
- Primrose Hill, simply north of Regents Park has extraordinary views of town skyline from the 63m summit.
- Sawyers Hill in Richmond Park affords views of Central London
- Emirates Air Line Cable Automobile: we had been planning to return from Greenwich by way of the 10-minute cable automotive journey going above the Thames from Greenwich to Royal Victoria Dock, however the climate messed us up. You may pay along with your oyster/contactless card.
- Up on the O2 Enviornment is a London attraction for the daredevils. Harness up and climb 52m above this well-known London enviornment for 360-degree London views. E-book a tour right here, or it’s a part of the Go Metropolis Go.
- ArcelorMittal Orbit – this funky new addition to the London Skyline has grow to be well-known for its spectacular views of London. It’s situated within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, which hosted the 2012 Olympic Video games. It’s additionally included on the Go Metropolis Go.
Map of the Greatest Views of London
To assist make your journey planning simpler, I created a map with these London viewpoints marked. Click on this hyperlink to save lots of a duplicate for your self and edit as you want.
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