Earlier this year, I read a recommendation for viewing in London. The writer said there was a building, with a great view, near St. Paul's (I think) where it is free. I believe the person said there4 was a restaurant there also. If anybody knows of a rEcommended viewing spot, please let me know.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5866 posts
Was it the Oxo Tower? It is across the river from St Paul's.
Posted by
Land of La
9265 posts
Its either the rooftop at One New Change which is a shopping center or the Sky Garden.
Posted by
London
233 posts
Sounds like the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch St. You can go in for free, but need to book a ticket to do so on their website in advance.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
Some good free natural viewpoints in London include Parliament Hill Fields in the north and the highpoint of Nunhead Cemetery in the south.
Posted by
London, England.
662 posts
One New Change is good, free, floor 6. Also, Primrose Hill, free; and not quite as high or spectacular, but worth a look if you're there anyway, the terrace by the 3rd floor cafe in the Tate Modern, the 5th floor terrace is members only :o(. Also free is the Sky Garden 37th something floor, but you must book and go through airport style restrictions. The view of London Docklands area from the top of Greenwich Park by the Observatory is nice, and for fans of the film 'Layer Cake' and Daniel Craig, by the statue there is where the 'Draagon hitman' shooting scene was filmed. Top film!
Paid views are St. Pauls, 500+ steps to the Golden Gallery, £18 (but you get access to the rest of St. Pauls for that) or the Shard £25ish, 70th something floor, pricey, but worth it many say. Forget the London Eye. The Monument, not super high, 300ish steps, but only £4, it is 350 years old though.
Semi-free views from the Shard are one of the many restaurants, they have dress codes and some can't be booked, just turn up and if they have space, you get in. Food not cheap but good I've heard. Also the views from Sushisamba or Duck and Waffle (both pricey) in the Heron Tower in Shoreditch, by Liverpool St. Tube. OXO Tower, maybe, booking needed and pricey, luck of the draw on seat position, not been to that one myself.
Posted by
92 posts
The roof of One New Change does have a great view of St Paul's, but if you want a great view of more of London, for free, I'd book the Sky Garden.
I can highly recommend the views from the Dome of St Paul's. I'm afraid of heights but loved it anyway, and of course you also get to tour the rest of the building, as noted by other posters. St Paul's is worth a visit in its own right.
There's also a nice view of London from the restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery, if you get a window seat. And I've never climbed it, so I am not sure about the views but there is also the Monument, which I think is only £4 admission?
Posted by
Orinda, California, United States
308 posts
It is the Sky Garden - but you do need to make reservations ahead of time. http://skygarden.london. Another suggestion is going to the bar in the Shard and have a drink. My friends said you do not need to pay the steep fee as you would for The View at the Shard.