8 Unique Places To Enjoy The Best Views of London

Whether you live in London or are visiting London for the first time, or 20^th time, you should make plans to take in spectacular views of this amazing city. There’s just something special about experiencing a city from a high viewpoint, and I’m a sucker for great views. If you’d like to enjoy the best views of London, here are 8 places you should check out.

1. Sky Garden

Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of London skyline any day of the week. Sky Garden is made up of three storeys of landscaped gardens and some of London’s most exclusive social spaces, an observation deck and an open-air terrace garden.

Cost: Free!

Hours: 9am to 6pm for free. Visits after 6pm are only possible with paid reservations at dining options

SkyPod Bar: The Sky Pod bar also accepts walk-ins. Sit down and enjoy a drink after taking in views on the terrace. After taking in the views, we sat down and I had a gin & lemonade here.

Want to Dine here: Book a table at one of the four restaurants/bars at Sky Garden. 

How To Book: To secure your free spot, make a reservation in advance at Sky Garden

Secret Tips (Walk-ins): You can get in without a reservation. Walk-ins are accepted on a limited basis on weekdays (excluding Bank holidays). Your best bet is to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon for a chance at getting in without a reservation. This is what I did on a Thursday afternoon in November 2019.

Address: 20 Fenchurch Street.

Nearest Tube Station: Monument

2. Coppa Club Tower Bridge Igloos

Did you know that you could dine in an igloo in London, next to the River Thames and with views of some of London’s iconic sites such as the Shard and Tower Bridge? Yes you can at Coppa Club! This is the only ‘ground level’ recommendation on this list but it is such a unique experience.

Cost: my breakfast cost about £15 see full menu here

Address: Coppa Club, 3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6AH

Hours: 7:30am to 11 (M-F). Opens at 9:00am on weekends.

How To Book: Make a reservation on the Coppa Club website but they get booked pretty quickly. See my secret tip below.

Secret Tip: Can’t get a reservation? They save one igloo for walk-ins on a first come first serve basis. Arrive when they open for best chances at using the walk-in igloo. It worked for me in November 2019! Kids are welcome at Coppa Club!

Dress Code: To my knowledge, there isn’t one

Nearest Tube Station: Tower Hill, Monument, Tower Gateway (DLR)

 

3. Duck & Waffle

Come for sunset or stay for sunrise! After hearing about Duck & Waffle for a long time, I visited in May 2019 at the end of a Saturday night out. Sitting on the 40^th floor of the Heron tower with floor to ceiling windows, Duck & Waffle boasts British & European cuisine and offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & a late night menu with unique cocktails! Yes, children are welcome at Duck & Waffle and yes, I had the Duck & Waffle!

Hours: 24/7!

Address: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

Reservations: Book here

Cost: Plan to pay 20 to 30 for a meal

Dresscode: Casual elegance

Secret Tip: We showed up late without a reservation and had to wait. While we waited for about 40 minutes, we had drinks at Sushi Samba one floor below

Nearest Tube Station: Liverpool Street Station, Wormwoodstreet Station

4. London Eye

The London Eye is the world’s largest observation wheel and the UK’s most popular paid attraction. Originally meant to be a temporary fixture, it is now a beautiful symbol of London. I visited London eye on my very first trip to London in December 2011. Take a flight through the heart of the city at Coca-Cola London eye. Want a special event in a capsule? You can book a private capsule for a proposal, birthday, family& friends, or just because! The champagne experience is a special add-on for your occasion.

Cost: 30 (same day), 40 (fast track), 44 (Champagne experience),

Address: The London Eye Riverside Building, County Hall Westminster Bridge Road. London SE1 7PB

Secret Tip: Book online in advance for best prices on tickets. Students, school trips, groups, and combo tickets get the best deals online. Once you get into your capsule go for a spot near the window for best views!

Dress Code: None

5. Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill, on the north side of Regents park is popular for good reason.  At the summit of this grassy hill are some spectacular views across London. The top of the hill is one of the six protected viewpoints in London. The summit is almost 63 meters above sea level and the trees are kept low so as not to obscure the view. It is a popular location for picnics and kite flying. It might get busy in the summers but best views of London are worth it. Grab some food from Camden and enjoy a relaxing sunny afternoon or sunset here! This is the only thing on the list that I haven’t done. It is at the top of my London to-do list!

Cost: Free

Nearest Tube Station: Chalk Farm / Swiss Cottage

Address: Primrose Hill Rd, London NW3 3NA

Secret Tip:It’s free, that’s all you need to know!

 

6. The Shard

The Shard has only been around since 2012 but it is London’s most iconic building. Did you know that award winning architect Piano Renzo drew up the first design of the Shard on the back of his menu during a lunch meeting with the owner? Renzo isn’t’ a fan of traditional skyscrapers so he made something daring and ground breaking.

When you visit the Shard, know that the finished product bears remarkable resemblance to that piece sketched on the back of a menu. As the tallest building in the city, it also has the best views of London: you can see as far as 40 miles in every direction. Pretty spectacular!

Cost: The viewing platforms are on 68, 69 and 72 floors. Tickets range from 25 GBP Standard to 39 GBP all-inclusive. Click here to book and to see what each ticket affords you. Groups of 10 or more get in at 20 per head.

Hours: 10:00 – 22:00. 7 days a week. Last entry 21:00.

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Secret Tip: I think one of the best ways to visit the Shard is to skip the viewing platform and visit one of the six restaurants and bars in the building. This is exactly what I did in November 2019 without a reservation. Aqua Shard, Oblix, Bar 31, Hutong, Ting, and Gong sit between the 31^st and 52^nd floors and offer spectacular views. We showed up to Hutong on a Friday afternoon without a reservation and were seated right away; even the bathrooms have great views of London. We had cocktails and appetizers, gosh the seafood dumplings are to LIVE for!!! We may or may not have gotten stuck at the Shard (story for another day but there are worse places to be stuck). The cost of a drink and a shared appetizer is less than the standard entry to the viewing platform! You’re welcome!

Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG

Nearest Tube Stop: London Bridge

7. Sitting Atop A Double Decker Bus For Best Views of London

The most known double decker bus in the world is the red London bus. This may not be fancy, but there isn’t a more ‘London’ way to see this city than from the front row of the upper deck of one of its buses. More than 700 bus routes cover London, and many routes travel past some of the city’s best sights. I’ve previously shared that riding the double decker bus is one of my traditions with my niece. Here are three suggested routes for the best views of London the affordable way.

Cost: A standard bus fare of 1.50 per journey (oyster card or contactless card only)

Dress code: None

Best Seats: Upper deck, front row!

Number 11 Route: Perfect for your first trip to London, this route goes from Liverpool Street Station to Victoria Station. You’ll see St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Bank of England, Mansion House, and the Houses of Parliament. A short walk from the end of the route, you’ll find Spitalfields market, famous Brick Lane and trendy Shoreditch, each dotted with bustling coffee shops, street art and street food stalls. Snack time anyone?

Number 390 Route: This route starts at Victoria Bus Station and ends in North East London. You’ll go past Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the Dorchester Hotel, Marble Arch, British Library, and the whole length of our favorite shopping street in London: Oxford Street

The Number 9 Route: In 1978, route 9 was called the “very best and least expensive tour of London.” On this route, you’ll pass Kensington Palace, Harrods, Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Mayfair, Piccadilly, St. James Palace, Holland Park, and Trafalgar Square. You’ll end the route at one of my favorite spots in London: Covent Garden

Short on time? Consider booking a seat aboard a hop-on-hop-off tour. London is a city where this is an effective sightseeing method.

Want to Spice Up The Double Decker Tour Experience? Have afternoon tea atop a double decker bus while you drive past some of the city’s best sights! I did this in November 2019 with my 8-year old niece.

Bonus Route: Check out route 24!

8. Madison Rooftop

A friend introduced me to Madison in 2016. Overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral (a personal favorite), Madison brings a slice of Manhattan to London. Madison is located in the penthouse post of One New Change, it has a bar, restaurant, cocktail bar and rooftop terrace.

It boasts views of the London Eye and Tate modern. It is one of Europe’s largest open-air roof terraces and boasts views of the London Eye, Tate Modern, and of course St Paul’s. It is great for couples or friends, There’s often a DJ inside and outside heaters and blankets to keep warm during the winter. Saturday nights do get busy, plan accordingly.

Address: One New Change

Nearest Tube Station: St Paul’s (4-minute walk), Mansion House (5-minute walk)

Dine Here: Madison offers a 3-course dinner or a 2 or 3 course set lunch as well.

How To Book: On holidays or weekends, book your table in advance!

Which of these 8 views of London have you enjoyed? Which one would you rank highest on your list? Let me know in the comments section below!

Visiting London as a return visitor? Check out 15 things to do on your next UK visit. Moving to London? Here’s what to expect when you move to the UK. 

 

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Till next time,

Dee (Ms. Heels)