Discover London from the sky! In this blog, I unveil London’s ultimate viewing galleries, where breath-taking panoramas meet unparalleled experiences.
From the soaring heights of The Shard to the historic beauty of St Paul’s Cathedral, I’ll guide you through the top viewing spots, ensuring you can enjoy the city’s vast skyline in all its glory.
If you’re after good views of London then getting up high and visiting a viewing platform is hard to beat. Whether you seek a romantic sunset view or a bird’s-eye perspective of iconic landmarks, this article lists the best viewing platforms that will elevate your London experience.
Read on to find out where you can enjoy these aerial views of London. I’ll also include useful tips on how to book your visit and take great photos while you’re there.
This article mostly focuses on locations with dedicated viewing platforms or galleries, but also includes a few locations that just happen to have fantastic views as an added bonus. So in no particular order, here is my list of the best viewing platforms in London!
Contents
Free viewing galleries in London
Did you know many of the tallest viewing galleries in London are free to visit? In recent years, planning regulations have required new builds of tall buildings to include a free public viewing gallery in their designs.
This has resulted in plenty of great locations for us to admire the splendour of London’s skyline for free! Most of these require you to book an entrance slot in advance, but it is possible to get entry on the day if you turn up early enough in person.
1. Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is located at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, more commonly known as the Walkie Talkie building due to its distinctive shape. As the name suggests, there is a garden at the top – this is actually London’s highest public garden. Filled with a variety of Mediterranean and South African species, it certainly adds to the experience being surrounded by tropical plants as you look out across London’s iconic skyline.
As well as great 360-degree views across the whole of London, there are two bars and two restaurants located at the top as well. There’s also an open-air terrace which gives a great view across the Thames to the south.
Although it’s not one of the highest, due to the 360 degree views, garden and bars at the top this is one of my favourite viewing galleries in London.
How to book tickets
If you want to book a free visit to Sky Garden, you can do this online on their website. Tickets are released every Monday morning (excluding Bank Holidays) for the whole week, 3 weeks in advance. They tend to be popular, especially for evenings and weekends, so you need to be organised and get in fast if there’s a particular day and time you want.
Depending on how busy Sky Garden is, walk-in tickets may sometimes be available. Your best chance is if you arrive at 10am. You will need to go up at that time though, so it’s not possible to book a slot for later that day.
There are other ways to get in, but these require booking a table at one of the restaurants or buying a ticket with a drink included so don’t really count as free. I’ll discuss all the ways you can book for the Sky Garden in a new blog post so check back soon for this!
What is the view like?
The view from Sky Garden is one of the best in London. Unlike some of the nearby viewing platforms you get a full 360 degree view across the whole of London. While it’s not quite as high as some of the other galleries, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as you feel a bit more connected to the city.
All you need to know
Viewing gallery height: Floor 37-39 (155m)
360 degree views: Yes
Opening times: Weekdays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends and Bank Holidays – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Nearest station: Fenchurch Street
Address: 20 Fenchurch Street
When to book: New free entry slots are available to book every Monday morning, 3 weeks in advance for the full week.
Website: [link]
2. Horizon 22 at 22 Bishopsgate
Opening in September 2023, Horizon 22 is the latest viewing gallery to open in London and also the highest. In fact, it’s currently the highest free viewing platform in all of Europe.
Located on level 58 of 22 Bishopsgate (the second highest building in London after the Shard) it offers fantastic views across most of London. From one side you can look east towards Canary Wharf and as you walk round to the opposite side of the floor you can see all the way back towards Liverpool Street station.
The gallery spans two floors with a small mezzanine level where you enter and exit. The majority of the gallery is double height though.
If you feel peckish during your visit, there is a small cafe offering snacks and drinks on the main viewing floor.
How to book tickets
Although entry is free you do need to book tickets in advance and select your time slot. Tickets are generally booked up until a couple of months in advance, however new slots are added daily.
It is also quite easy to book them in person on the day as a small number of walk-in slots are made available every day. Simply turn up (the earlier the better – it opens at 10 a.m.) and scan the QR code displayed on the screen by the front entrance. From here you can select your preferred time and date – either the current time if you want to visit there and then, or a later time if you want to come back later. It’s actually possible to book tickets for up to 3 days in advance even if they are sold out online. In fact, Horizon 22 is probably the easiest of the viewing galleries to get tickets for on the day.
What is the view like?
As you would expect from the highest viewing platform in London the views are spectacular. You don’t get a full 360 degree view though, as the windows don’t extend around the whole building, however the view you get still covers pretty much all the sights you would want to see.
All you need to know
Height: 58th floor (254 metres)
360 degree views: No, approx. 300 degrees
Opening times: Weekdays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Nearest station: Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, Bank, Monument
Address: 22 Bishopsgate
When to book: Entry slots are generally available to book 2 months in advance.
Website: https://horizon22.co.uk/
3. The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate
Located next door to 22 Bishopsgate is another of London’s newest viewing galleries – The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate. It’s similar to its taller neighbour Horizon 22, but the viewing gallery is a bit smaller and doesn’t have anywhere to buy a drink or snack. One benefit to The Lookout is that it is open later on Mondays and Fridays, so you can be up there for sunset even during the summer months.
How to book tickets
Although access to The Lookout is free you will need to book a ticket. It’s recommended you do this in advance, although tickets are usually available on the day if you arrive early enough (ideally before lunchtime). New tickets are released bi-weekly on a Monday although don’t seem to sell out in advance as quickly as some of the other places.
For walk-in tickets you won’t be able to book a time-slot for later in the day like at Horizon 22, so you’ll need to go straight in if they have any slots available.
What is the view like?
The view is similar to that from Horizon 22 although slightly lower down which doesn’t really make much difference in practice. It’s also not a full 360 degree view so you aren’t able to look over the east of London but you do get a view over the River Thames and across much of London.
Like Horizon 22, you get a great view looking down at the streets of the City of London, as well as peering down at buildings that normally tower above you such as the Gherkin.
All you need to know
Height: 50th floor (approx. 200 metres)
360 degree views: No, approx. 240 degrees
Opening times: Monday and Friday – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday to Thursday – 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday and Bank Holidays – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Nearest station: Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, Bank, Monument
Address: 8 Bishopsgate
When to book: Entry slots are usually available a week or two in advance.
Website: https://www.8bishopsgate.com/lookout
4. Bōkan Bar – Canary Wharf
This isn’t really a dedicated viewing platform but I had to include at least one rooftop bar in this list, especially one with such a good view as this. Bōkan is a bar situated at the top of the Novotel hotel in Canary Wharf. This East London location isn’t quite as central as many others, however this is an advantage when it comes to the view. From the bar and outside terrace you get a fantastic panoramic view of London’s skyline and the River Thames.
There is a bar on the 38th floor, however the best views are to be found from the rooftop terrace on the 39th floor.
How to book tickets
You can make a reservation online and it is free to book, however if you buy a drink to enjoy as you savour the views then this will obviously cost extra.
What is the view like?
The view from Bōkan is rather unique in that you can see almost all of the other locations mentioned in this article. Looking towards London from a few miles away gives a wonderful perspective and the views are amazing – especially at sunset. Even better, you can enjoy taking in the views while sipping a cocktail or having a bite to eat.
All you need to know
Height: 38/39th floor
360 degree views: No
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday – 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday – 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Friday – 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday – 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday – 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Nearest station: Canary Wharf, Heron Quays, South Quay
Address: 40 Marsh Wall, E14 9TP
When to book: Check online for availability
Website: https://bokanlondon.co.uk/bar/
London viewing galleries (not free)
While some viewing galleries are free to access, there are some you have to pay for. Some can be rather expensive, so it’s down to you whether you feel it’s good value. One things for sure though – it’s great to have so many options!
1. The View from The Shard
The Shard is not only London’s tallest building, but at 306 metres tall it is the tallest building in the UK. It also has a viewing gallery at the top which until recently was the highest viewing gallery in London.
Despite losing it’s crown as the highest viewing gallery in London, the View from The Shard is still an impressive place to visit. With 360-degree views across London you can see for up to 40 miles on a clear day.
It isn’t cheap though, as tickets start at £28.50 for a single adult. This is a lot more than the free options mentioned above, although is reasonable value when you compare it to the London Eye.
You can buy drinks and snacks on level 69 and 72, or enjoy a glass of bubbly from their champagne bar as you admire the views.
How to book tickets
Tickets be booked in advance or at the ticket desk once you get inside the main entrance. During busy times it can be fully booked so it’s always a good idea to book in advance.
Tickets start at a rather pricey £28.50 for a single adult for a weekday visit, going up to £32.50 for a weekend visit. A VIP package including fast-track access and a glass of champagne costs £60 per person.
An alternative way of seeing some of the views from near the top of the Shard is to visit one of the bars or restaurants in the Shard. These are free to book, however you’d obviously need to pay for any food or drinks on the night. Also you wouldn’t get the same 360 degree view you have at the viewing gallery.
What is the view like?
With 360 degree views from such a height, the views are incredible. Even though Horizon 22 is slightly higher it doesn’t offer a full 360 degree view over London so in that respect the View from The Shard is still unbeatable.
Also being located on the south side of the Thames you have a fantastic view over the City of London, whereas if you visit one of the galleries on the opposite side you’re right in the middle of the skyscrapers so don’t get the same impressive view.
If you’re unlucky enough to visit during a period of bad weather and visibility is low, the Shard offers a View Guarantee. This means that if you’re unable to see at least 3 of 5 specified landmarks they will give you a free voucher for a return visit within 3 months.
All you need to know
Height: 69th to 72nd floor (244 metres)
360 degree views: Yes
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday – varies
Friday to Saturday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: From £28.50 (adult)
Nearest station: London Bridge
Address: Joiner Street, SE1 9QU
When to book: Check online for availability
Website: https://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/
2. The Monument
The Monument is the second oldest viewing platform in this guide and also the smallest. It was built in the late 1660s to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666. At that time it was the tallest structure in London, however over time it has been surrounded by much taller buildings.
While the views can’t compete with some of the other viewing galleries nearby, it is still well worth a visit just for the historical aspect alone.
It’s also one that takes the most effort to get to the top as the only way up is to climb the 311 stairs. The staircase is curved and narrow so not suitable for everyone.
How to book tickets
Tickets can’t be booked in advance so you’ll need to buy them at the bottom of the attraction when you visit. At busy times they do limit numbers of people inside so you may need to wait for people to come down before they let you in. Tickets cost £6 (adult) or £3 (child).
What is the view like?
At just 49 metres high, the viewing platform is well below the top of many of the surrounding buildings. This means you don’t get the same sweeping views across the city that you do at nearby galleries, however it does give a much more intimate feel as you stand amongst the nearby buildings.
The balcony at the top is not particularly large, and is also enclosed by a wire mesh to avoid any items being dropped from the top. This does help if you feel a little nervous being so high, but does slightly restrict the view.
All you need to know
Height: 160 feet (49 metres)
360 degree views: Yes
Opening times: Daily – 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. (last entry at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.)
Cost: £6 (adult)
Nearest station: Monument
Address: Fish St. Hill, EC3R 8AH
When to book: You can only buy tickets for The Monument at the attraction on the day.
Website: https://www.themonument.org.uk/
3. St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is much more than a viewing gallery – it’s one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who also helped design The Monument), it was completed in 1711 making it the second oldest building in this list. Although now dwarfed by many of London’s modern skyscrapers, St Paul’s was actually London’s tallest building until as recently as 1963 when it was overtaken by the Millbank Tower.
The reason for its inclusion in this article are the two external viewing galleries at the top of the famous dome.
The first is the Stone Gallery and further up is the smaller Golden Gallery. Both require a fair bit of climbing to access – there are a total of 376 steps to get to the Stone Gallery and a total of 528 steps to the Golden Gallery. The stairs towards the top are rather narrow and not for the faint of heart!
As well as the galleries you can explore much of the cathedral, so it’s well worth taking the time to do this as well as taking in the panoramic views from the dome. I’d allow around 2 hours for a visit to St Paul’s.
How to book tickets
To access the domes you need to purchase an entry ticket for the cathedral, which gives you access to other areas too. You can buy tickets either in advance or on the day at the door. For the fastest entry and to ensure you get the time slot you want it’s recommended to book in advance via the website. You can book up to around 3 months in advance.
Tickets cost £25 (adult) or £10 (child).
What is the view like?
It takes a fair bit of effort to climb the 528 steps to the highest gallery, but the view makes it worthwhile. At about 85 metres above ground level it isn’t the highest viewpoint in London but it is still plenty high enough. You also feel like you’re in the scenery rather than towering above it so it’s a much more intimate feel than in one of the modern viewing platforms.
The galleries are open to the elements which adds to the feeling of being part of the view. This also means better opportunities for photography as there is no glass to cause reflections.
With a full 360 degree view you can look across all of London with nothing obstructing your view.
All you need to know
Height: Stone Gallery 173 feet (53 metres), Golden Gallery 280 feet (85 metres)
360 degree views: Yes
Opening times: Monday to Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (opens at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays)
Cost: £25 (adult)
Nearest station: St Paul’s
Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD
When to book: Up to 3 months in advance online
Website: https://www.stpauls.co.uk/
4. The London Eye
The London Eye is another of London’s iconic landmarks. Located on the bank of the River Thames in Westminster, just opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, it’s a fantastic place to take in some incredible views of the city.
At 135 metres tall, it’s one of the World’s tallest Ferris wheels and until 2013 was also the highest public viewing platform in London. These days there are a few that are higher (e.g., The Shard, 22 Bishopsgate), however it is still very popular.
It’s also the most expensive of the viewing galleries in this list and with a ride time of just 30 minutes also gives the shortest amount of time to enjoy the view.
How to book tickets
You can buy tickets at the ticket office in front of the London Eye, or online via their website. It’s cheaper to buy online – online prices start from £30 whereas if you buy in person they start at £42. It is a popular attraction too, so it’s better to book in advance to make sure you get a ticket at the date and time you want. At peak times it may not be possible to buy a ticket on the day.
At busy times there can be a bit of a queue to get onto the London Eye, so if you’re pressed for time then it might be worth going for a Fast Track ticket. Also it’s worth noting that the time slot you book is for when you join the queue, so bear this in mind if you’re aiming to be on the London Eye for a particular time (e.g., sunset).
If you want to avoid the queues as much as possible then go for a slot as early as possible, or nearer to closing time.
What is the view like?
The view from the top is excellent as you look across London from 135 metres up in the air. Almost within touching distance is the Houses of Parliament and the Elizabeth Tower (more commonly known as Big Ben) with the River Thames directly below you. Your ticket gives you one rotation, which takes about 30 minutes to complete.
All you need to know
Height: 394 feet (135 metres)
360 degree views: Yes
Opening times: Open 7 days a week, opening times vary so check website
Cost: From £30 (adult)
Nearest station: Waterloo, Westminster
Address: Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
When to book: Check online for availability
Website: https://www.londoneye.com/
5. Garden Museum
A garden museum might seem a strange addition to this list of viewing galleries, but this one just so happens to feature a medieval tower with fantastic views across to Westminster. This is the oldest viewing platform in this list and probably the least well known.
The Garden Museum is a small museum located next door to Lambeth Palace on the south side of the River Thames. As the name suggests, it features artefacts, tools and art telling the history of gardening. The building itself is a deconsecrated church, which features a tower built in the 14th century.
You enter the tower through a very small doorway, then climb the 131 steps to the top. Once on the roof, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views across London including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Due to the size of the tower there is a capacity of just 7 people, so you may have to wait until there is room before you climb the steps. It also closes 30 minutes before sunset during winter months. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the stairs are quite narrow and uneven in places so may not be suitable for everyone. The tower also may be closed due to adverse weather conditions, so it may be worth checking before you visit to confirm it is open.
How to book tickets
Access to the tower is included in the general entry ticket price to the Garden Museum which can be purchased in advance via their website. You can also buy tickets on the day at the museum. If you just want to climb the tower you can purchase a ticket for this at the museum on the day – this costs just £4.
What is the view like?
This platform isn’t the highest viewpoint in London by today’s standards, but it still provides some fantastic views across Lambeth and Westminster. You’ll certainly find it hard to beat the views of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben you get from the top. Unfortunately it isn’t possible to photograph sunset from here as it closes too early.
All you need to know
Height: approx. 120 feet (35 metres)
360 degree views: Yes
Opening times: Monday to Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.)
Cost: £14 (including the Garden Museum), £4 (tower only)
Nearest station: Waterloo, Lambeth North, Vauxhall
Address: Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB
When to book: Check online for availability
Website: https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/
6. Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is another of London’s most iconic landmarks and one of the most photographed locations in the city. However as well as being a fantastic place to visit, did you know it also offers some of the best views of London from 42 metres above the River Thames?
The two walkways spanning the bridge offer a fantastic view across London. From this unique vantage point you can see many of London’s most famous landmarks including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the various skyscrapers in the City of London.
How to book tickets
You can book online in advance via their website, or buy on the day at the ticket office. During busy times it’s recommended to book online to ensure you get the time slot you want.
What is the view like?
From inside the west walkway you get a fantastic view down the Thames to the west of the city. Although the walkways are fitted with glass windows, there are several small openings designed for you to point your camera through to avoid any dirt or reflections.
Although not as high as many of the other platforms in this list, you do get a fantastic panoramic view and this is one of my favourite views of London.
If you visit during December and January you’ll also be able to see sunset from up there although any later than early February and you’ll miss the best of the post-sunset colours.
All you need to know
Height: 138 feet (42 metres)
360 degree views: No
Opening times: Monday to Sunday – 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
Cost: £12.30 (adult), £6.20 (child)
Nearest station: Tower Hill, London Bridge
Address: Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP
When to book: Check online for availability
Website: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/
The highest viewing gallery in London
For the last 10 years or so the highest viewing gallery in London was the View from The Shard, located on the 72nd floor. However in 2023 Horizon 22 opened on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate and has now taken that crown.
While the floor number is lower, the actual height above ground level is around 10 metres higher than the View from The Shard, making Horizon 22 the highest of all the viewing galleries in London. As there is no charge for entry to Horizon 22, it is also the highest free viewing gallery in London.
Tips for taking photos from a viewing gallery
Visiting any of these viewing galleries will give you incredible views over London’s skyline, and fantastic opportunities to take some great photos. Here are some of my tips to help you get the most out of your visit.
Tripods
Tripods or monopods are not allowed at any of these venues so leave these at home.
Lenses
You can get great photos using a wide range of focal lengths – from wide-angle views of the whole of London, to detail shots of famous landmarks using a telephoto lens. A 24-70mm and 70-200mm lens will cover most scenarios although it’s worth taking a wide-angle and longer telephoto if you have one. As you won’t be allowed to use a tripod, a lens with a wide aperture and Image Stabilisation would be useful if you’re taking photos at sunset.
Reflections
Many of these viewing galleries are enclosed by thick, double-glazed glass. This can cause a lot of issues with reflections, especially once the sun starts to go down. Trying different positions and angles can help, as well as standing as close to the glass as possible.
A lens hood can really help here – these are flexible hoods that fit over your lens and against the window glass. They can be very effective, although can’t always cut out all reflections if the glass is double-glazed. You can find a variety of rubber lens hoods on Amazon – just select one that is the right size for your particular lens.
Another useful accessory that can help is a polarising filter – simply attach to the front of your lens and rotate the filter until the glare is reduced or removed.
Wearing dark clothes can help too, as can having a friend try to block out reflections using something like a jacket.
If reflections are particularly bad, using a longer lens helps reduce getting them in your shot.
Best viewing galleries for sunset views
Taking in a beautiful sunset over the London skyline from up high is a fantastic experience, however not all of these viewing galleries are ideal for sunset visits.
Depending on the time of year you will find some of these venues will close before dusk. My suggestions would be the following;
- Sky Garden
- Bōkan Bar
- The View from The Shard
- The London Eye
- The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate (Monday and Friday only)
For some of the others, it’s usually just a short window of time during the winter months where sunset is early enough to enjoy from the other venues.
Map of London’s viewing galleries
How to use this map: Click on the icon in the top-left corner of the map to reveal a list of locations. If you click on one of the locations in the list, or one of the pins on the map, you can get more information or directions to it.
Click on the star just to the right of the title to save to your Google Maps account. You can then view the map on your phone or computer by opening Google Maps, clicking the “Saved” icon and then selecting Maps. You’ll then see this map in your list.
To open a larger version of the map in a new tab, click on the icon to the top right.
Save to Pinterest
