London Eye vs One New change

Rooftop has a nice view of St Paul's. Eye has a nice view of London. I rather enjoy the view of the Thames looking up river looking toward The Shard from the Blackfriars station. Or of London from Primrose Hill. There's also a stellar view from Westminster Cathedral ( NOT ABBEY) tower which most folks aren't aware of.

One New Change is a very good vantage point, it is completely free and very easy to get to. Directly to the east of St Paul's Cathedral and has the bonus of the best burrito bar in London and some very good and easy, and reasonably cheap, restaurants. You are completely outside, and have a very good view all around, although to the east is obstructed because of the building and lift shafts.

The new kid on the block is the SkyGarden. Floors 34 to 38 of the walkie talkie building at 20 Fenchurch Street, a bit further into the Square Mile. Completely free, (fairly fancy) restaurants and snack bars though if you are peckish, set in a large garden, with 360 degree views. It takes a bit of planning because the free tickets don't come up very far ahead and they do fill up (well, for the best view in London, and it is free, what do you expect) but there are walk ups available in the mornings and after 9pm on Saturdays. We love it. And we went on a very rainy day with the wind blowing so the open air skydeck was closed and still loved it. I want to go back in the summer when it is a bit dryer. Fabulous.

Didn't mean to sound like I was short changing the view from One New Change. It's quite nice and it is free. Meant only that because of its configuration, height and locale the Eye gives you a 360 overview of London. New Change does have great food options as well and thanks to Nigel I'm now a fan of Wahaca's take on Mexican food. Enjoy.

I didn't think that Claudia from Lalaland was shortchanging the One New Change.

In fact, it is a moving playing field. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and the Eye got the short term temporary license that has gone on many years (and many different sponsors) it was the only game in town unless you wanted a heart attack climbing to the cupola of St Pauls.

Then along came One New Change and it was the disruptor and new kid in town. And it is hard to beat free.

I don't count the Shard for a few reasons. It is ugly as sin. It is next to London Bridge station which has its own horrors. They broke their promise to the displaced neighbors and tourists of giving them a free garden and viewpoint in the air. They charge an absolute fortune. And it is south of the river.

Blackfriars station has an incomparable view down the river to the Tower. And it is dry inside.

The big spoiler now, and the big guy on the block is the Walkie Talkie building. Fabulous.

IMHO.

YMMV

I'm regularly in and around 1NC and for me its a passing visit, nice views for free. I wouldn't bother with the eye. Sky Garden or the top of St. Paul's if you can manage the 500+ steps.

You mean there is no left to take you the Roof Terrace??? Is this is true, I won't be climbing up!
Jean

500 steps to the top of St Pauls.

Lift to the roof of One New Change.

Lift to the Sky Garden.

Here is a link to One New Change's roof terrace
http://www.onenewchange.com/roof-terrace

Okay, I have a "thing" for climbing church steeples, just ask my poor kids .... have to go up at least one in any town I arrive. So for me St Paul's dome was a no-brainer. Sure, you got 500+ steps (only a few more than the cathedral in Cologne) but you do them in several phases, stop at the whispering gallery half way up and catch your breath.

No waiting in line either!

Fabulous view from http://www.the-shard.com/viewing-gallery/ - but not cheap.

Thanks all for your suggestions; won't be doing the 500 St. Paul's steps or the expensive Shards but may do either the Garden top or the London Eye, except the London eye is 20GBP which translates to $40 Canadian as does Westminster Abbey & St. Pauls... I've been to many Cathedrals in Italy and not one (except the Vatican which isn't expensive) charge admittance! I was in England in the early 90's and they didn't charge then either!!! 20GBP is expensive!!!
J

you can go for a service. It is free if you go and sit in a pew.

If you want to be a tourist it costs.

The Vatican doesn't charge for admittance to St Peters Basilica but does charge quite a bit for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The Scavi Tour of the crypt is an expensive tour.

St Pauls charges tourist admission, but the guided tour and admittance to the crypt is free once you are in.

I've been to the Vatican & other tourists sites in Europe, no one charges $40 CAD or even 20GBP to get in! The Vatican Sistine Chapel & Museums is only $30 CAD. Still expensive but to pay $80 for the two of us is exorbitant!
If you go to just sit, how does that work. Do you just say we're going in to pray?
J

You're right Emma, it's just that our money was better when we booked and our limited budget just got bigger! But will just let it go and enjoy our trip!

Thanks,
Jean

"may do either the Garden top or the London Eye, except the London eye is 20GBP which translates to $40 Canadian as does Westminster Abbey & St. Pauls... I've been to many Cathedrals in Italy and not one (except the Vatican which isn't expensive) charge admittance! I was in England in the early 90's and they didn't charge then either!!! 20GBP is expensive!"

Yes, you are right. 20GBP is expensive. So I would pick and choose.

My opinion:
Westminster Abbey--worth the price of admission.
London Eye--not worth the price of admission if a person is watching their budget.
St. Paul's--worth the price of admission, but choose between this and Westminster Abbey, if your budget is tight. Between the two (hard to choose) I'd choose Westminster Abbey.

To go easy on your budget, drop some costly touristy stuff (such as the Eye), and load up on the free stuff in London, like the museums that are free. Free museums include:
The British Museum
The National Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery
Museum of London
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Natural History Museum
Tate Modern
Imperial War Museum
Museum of London Docklands

Head to One New Change or Sky Garden for your views.