Best Views In London And What You’ll See

Anyone who’s visited London will know that it has a rather varied terrain. From the inner city streets and Georgian Townhouses of accommodation Lancaster Gate UK to the outer London forests of Epping, the development of London over 2000 years has seen it become a kaleidoscopic canvas of forests, canalsides and urban development. There’s a lot to see then, and you’d be hard pressed to drink it all in during one visit to London.

That being said, the public transport of London is incredibly speedy, meaning that you can get from your Grand Hotel afternoon tea in Kensington to Liverpool Street or Walthamstow in little more than half an hour. The many viewpoints of London also give you a chance to see more in less time, offering Central and Greater London options that include skyscraper observation decks, naturally occurring hills and tailor made viewpoints with a lot of historic resonance.

This blog will explore some of the best viewpoints for first time guests of London hotel packages. Regardless of whether you’re visiting for work or for pleasure, weekend or even day trips to London needn’t mean that you only see a fraction of the city, especially if you know where to look – literally.

Primrose Hill

One of Regent’s Park’s most popular landmarks (aside from London Zoo, of course), Primrose Hill lies on the north end of the park and provides a beautiful view over London’s skyline. The hill is 64 metres high and the name Primrose Hill has been in use for this mound since the reign of Henry VIII, who first took the land as his own royal property, only to be reappropriated as public space in 1842.

What You’ll See

And rightly so that the area was redesignated as public space. Primrose Hill offers stunning views over much of the skyline of Central London. From here you can see the Shard, the London Eye, the Walkie Talkie building and St Paul’s Cathedral among other fantastic landmarks in the heart of the city.

The Sky Garden

The Sky Garden is located at 20 Fenchurch Street on the 34th to 37th floor of the famous Walkie-Talkie Building. With its beautiful array of plant beds, rockeries, cafes and bars, the Sky Garden is also home to a fantastic viewing platform in the heart of Westminster. What’s more, it’s completely free to visit – as long as you book in advance.

What You’ll See

From 155 metres high, the Sky Garden’s location in the heart of London gives you a 365 degree view of many of the city’s most famous landmarks. To the west you’ll see St Paul’s Cathedral and the BT Tower, whilst southern views overlook the Thames and London and Tower Bridge and east will show you brilliant views over the docklands area and the Tower of London.. Located in the Monument area, the Sky Garden is free to visit and has plenty of amenities. 

Emirates Air Line

For an unprecedented view over the docklands area of East London, the Emirates Air Line runs from the Royal Victoria Dock to Greenwich Peninsula and stretches to 90 metres above the Thames. At just 10 minutes long, you won’t want to miss a second of the journey. Tickets for the Emirates Air Line are £5 one way for an adult (double that for a return) and £2.50 for children.

What You’ll See

The Emirates Air Line has views over much of the Docklands area, including the Canary Wharf skyscraper huddle and the O2 Arena. Running over the Thames, you’ll be right on the meander visible on the East London map.

London Eye

One of the most famous of the London viewpoints, the London Eye is easy to reach from hotels near Lancaster Gate and offers half hour round trips on a 32 carriage ferris wheel in the Waterloo area of Central London. Advanced tickets for the London Eye are £29.50 for adults and £34 on the day.

What You’ll See

From its location on the Thames and 135 metres tall at its highest point, the London Eye boasts a 365 degree view over 40 kilometres of London in all directions. On a clear day of course, cloud and rain can hinder visibility of the further off locations. Nevertheless, low visibility doesn’t hinder the sites of Central London, including Westminster, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard. 

Point Hill

A quieter antidote to the very popular Greenwich Observatory, Point Hill is situated between Greenwich Park and Blackheath and is nestled in an often overlooked park in the Greenwich area. The park is surrounded by trees and is a quiet place to relax, whilst the view comes equipped with a map and several benches so that you can sit back and relax. 

What You’ll See

Point Hill is especially beautiful at sunset because it gives such a close view of the Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs area. As the sun sets on this park, you’ll be able to pick out each individual light as it turns on in the financial district of the city. Further to the intimate view of Canary Wharf, you’ll be able to see several meanders in the River Thames as well as London bridge, the BT Tower and many other landmarks in the distance. 

Telegraph Hill

Another Southeast London hidden gem, Telegraph Hill is situated close to Nunhead Station and is a residential park blessed with beautiful views. Alongside tennis courts, flower beds and a playground, Telegraph Hill also has a stunning view over the London skyline and is located close to a range of popular pubs and cafes that are esteemed amidst the Peckham locals. 

What You’ll See

The Telegraph Hill view is bounded by trees at the bottom and offers a true panorama over the London cityscape. Landmarks from this viewpoint include the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, the BT Tower, the Gherkin and many others. From its distance, this landscaped view is a perfect backdrop to a summertime picnic and hangout in one of London’s quaintest parks.