Best Views in London: Rooftops, Lookouts and Free Viewpoints
See London from its best angles
The city offers two kinds of view: the ones where you pay, and the ones where you don't. The paid ones get you higher. The free ones get you there without a booking confirmation three weeks early.
This list ranks ten of them by order of practicality: accessibility first, then height, then photography potential. Most of the truly free options stay empty until after 5 PM. Most paid views work best at golden hour, which means 6-8 PM in September, so book late-afternoon slots and plan to stay. Sunset light changes too fast to photograph from indoors—step outside onto a terrace whenever it opens. On overcast days, the light comes from everywhere, so the best views aren't necessarily the highest ones.
Bring layers. London's rooftops are exposed. Even the ones you have to book are worth visiting twice: once in clear daylight to understand the geography, and once at dusk when the city switches on.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill, Chalk Farm, North London · Free rooftop park · Open daily, daylight hours
One of the easiest places to get a beautiful London skyline photograph without paying for a viewpoint. Walk up the slope of green and you can see the whole financial district spread out in front of you, with Regent's Park in the foreground. Panoramic views of London from Westminster to the financial district with decent depth: Regent's park in the foreground and the city skyline in the background. No reservation needed. The hill fills with people just before sunset but empties by 8 PM. Bring a bottle instead of a glass and stay after dark—the city lights are better than the sunset.
One New Change Roof Terrace
Cheapside, The City, London · Free rooftop viewing terrace · 6 AM–midnight daily, no booking required
St Paul's Cathedral dome in extraordinary close-up proximity—you're essentially at the same height as the dome, creating unique photographic opportunities. Opening hours: 6am-midnight, seven days a week. Access via glass lift (the lift ride is part of the view). People like to eat their lunch up here because they've got some concrete benches and a bar if you want a beer. No booking. Tripods are NOT allowed here, so come with a phone and steady hands.
Sky Garden
20 Fenchurch Street (Walkie Talkie), The City · Free viewing gallery · Book in advance, releases Mondays, 3 weeks ahead
The Sky Garden sits atop 20 Fenchurch Street (the building locals call the Walkie Talkie), offering 360-degree views from the 35th floor. You're looking down on the City's rooftops, across to Tower Bridge and the Shard, and out toward Canary Wharf. Free tickets are available but must be booked weeks in advance through their website. Time your arrival for 30-45 minutes after sunset and you'll have gorgeous light plus access. The outdoor sections give clean shots without glass reflections; the indoor garden works if weather turns.
Horizon 22
58th floor, 22 Bishopsgate, The City · Free viewing platform · Book in advance, daily releases at 10 AM
Located on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, Horizon 22 currently offers 300-degree views across London and is the city's highest free viewing platform at 244 metres (800ft). To be sure of getting up to the Horizon 22 observation deck, you should book your ticket in advance. Tickets are released at 10 am daily. A small number of walk-in spaces are available on the day. There's a small cafe at the top where you can buy a coffee or snack and enjoy the view. No greenery here—it's glass and city, which means the light is harsh in daylight but dramatic at dusk.
The Garden at 120
120 Fenchurch Street, The City · Free rooftop garden · Open daily, no booking required
The Garden at 120 is one of the favourite elevated spots for night shots in London, and it's free to visit. From the rooftop, you get sweeping views of the City, with landmarks like the Walkie Talkie and the Shard glowing in the distance. Because it's less crowded than Sky Garden, you can take your time and set up without pressure. Walk in anytime. Arrive just before sunset so you can catch the blue hour transition. The glass walls around the rooftop reflect city lights beautifully, and the garden's greenery adds a unique touch compared to other viewing platforms.
Waterloo Bridge
Spans the Thames between South Bank and Strand, Central London · Free crossing with views · Open 24/7, best at sunset and dusk
There is no admission fee to walk on or across Waterloo Bridge. It's a free public space for everyone to enjoy. From the centre of the bridge, looking over the Hungerford and Golden Jubilee Bridges to Big Ben and Parliament, with the London Eye off to the left. The skyline is particularly beautiful at sunset. Arrive just before sunset which ensures you can enjoy both the daytime and nighttime views from Waterloo Bridge. The bridge is crowded with tourists and photographers—aim to arrive by 5 PM to secure a spot. Book your flight on the London Eye for just after the sunset. The lights will be on the buildings and along the streets at dusk, and you'll get far more detail than if you shoot as the sun is still going down.
Summit at Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace Way, North London · Guided rooftop climb experience · Book ahead, daytime, sunset and evening climbs available
Launching in February 2026, the "Summit" invites guests to climb to the top of the famous Alexandra Palace complex in north London and gaze at some breathtaking views of the capital. The walk is billed as the UK's highest roof walk, and leads climbers to the Angel of Plenty sculpture standing 130 metres (426ft) above the City of London. The guided Summit rooftop climb takes one hour from start to finish. This includes the safety briefing, guided rooftop walk, time at the summit for views and photos and the return route back to the meeting point. Prices from £22 for youth (8–17) and £28 for adults. Harness required; minimum age 8. See the city turn from day to night on the Alexandra Palace sunset roof climb and soak up the magic of golden hour across the city.
London Bridge Rooftop
Colechurch House, London Bridge Walk, SE1 · Paid rooftop bar with views · Open daily, drinks and bites, no booking required
Perched on top of the Colechurch House on London Bridge Walk, the London Bridge Rooftop opened during 2021 as a casual urban rooftop bar available pretty much all week long to enjoy after-work drinks, sunset cocktails, banging burgers, lunchtime pints, weekend bottomless brunch, DJs and stay all night catch-ups. All complemented with panoramic 360° over the London skyline, including Shard, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and the London Eye. You pay for a drink (cocktails from around £12–15). It is a casual rooftop rather than a smart one: pints, cocktails, burgers and street food, DJs later on. There are heated and covered sections, so it works outside high summer.
The Shard, Level 72
London Bridge Quarter, SE1 · Paid observation deck, multiple levels · 10 AM–10 PM summer (hours vary), book online ahead
The Shard remains London's most dramatic viewpoint. Standing on the 72nd floor, you're above everything—pigeons included. Standard tickets from £25.95 per adult / £19.95 per child. Advance tickets £24.95 per adult / £18.95 per child. Sunset Hour tickets £25.00, with some booking options from £28.00. Book tickets 2-3 weeks ahead for sunset slots. Pre-dramatic 8 AM slots can save you nearly half the adult price. Last admission is one hour before the official closing time, and restaurants close approximately 30 minutes before closing time. The outdoor level is glass-floored; the view is unobstructed but terrifying if you have height anxiety.
London Eye
County Hall, South Bank, SE1 · Paid observation wheel, slow rotation · 10 AM–8:30 PM typical summer hours, book online
London Eye standard tickets from ~£33. Fast Track from ~£44. 30 minutes for one full rotation. Allow 60–75 minutes for the total experience including queuing and boarding with a pre-booked ticket. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset, then prepare to look out across a dazzling St Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, and more. The best shots were from the lower parts of the circuit. At the apex of the wheel, you're a long way above the city, and amazing though the view is, it doesn't make for particularly good photographs. Go for the experience and the light, not the composition. Fast Track saves time on busy days.
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