London’s skyline is one of the most iconic in the world, and the best part is that you don’t need to spend a penny to enjoy it. In fact, many of the very best views of London are completely free. In this guide, we are going to share details about all the Free Viewing Platforms in London, including rooftops, terraces, hilltops, and hidden gems that offer unforgettable panoramic views of London without the cost of a ticket.
From modern city skyscrapers to peaceful parks, these spots give you the best amazing free views in London while keeping your trip budget-friendly. As a mum of two little boys, I will also give some quick tips for families!
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The Best Free Viewing Platforms in London
Below, I’m going to list all the places you’ll get the best views of London for free! Some of them require booking a ticket in advance, so I will give you the details of how to do that as well!
The Sky Garden
I’m starting this list with the Sky Garden as it is possibly our absolute favourite of all the free viewing platforms in London.
It is the highest indoor garden in London, offering panoramic views of the London skyline. Inside is an oasis of tropical plants combined with incredible views. There is also a bar and cafe with tables and benches you can sit and relax at (even without making a purchase!)
Sky Garden Tickets
Tickets for the Sky Garden are free but do need to be booked in advance. Tickets are released every Monday, 3 weeks in advance, for the whole week. Peak times can get snapped up quickly, so do set yourself a reminder to book them! Book your free tickets on the Sky Garden Website here.
Views from the Sky Garden
You’ll see great views of many iconic buildings in the London skyline, including The Shard, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The Gherkin and St Paul’s Cathedral. You will also be able to see Canary Wharf in the distance!
The Sky Garden’s Address
20 Fenchurch Street in the city of London.
Closest Stations to the Sky Garden
Monument (on the District Line and Circle Line); however, quite a few other tube stations are within walking distance, and London Bridge train station is also only a 10-minute walk away.
Sky Garden Opening Times
10am – 6pm on weekdays and 11am – 9pm on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Is the Sky Garden Good for Kids?
My kids (aged 5 and 2 years old) love the Sky Garden. My eldest loves to take photos of the plants with his kids’ camera.
There are two viewing platforms in the Sky Garden, which have steps between them. Although there is a lift (elevator), using this will mean missing out on some of the views. For small children, either use a baby carrier or take a small pushchair (stroller), which you can leave at the bottom of the steps.
READ MORE: VISITING THE SKY GARDEN
The Sky Garden.
Horizon 22
Horizon 22 is the highest viewing platform in London you can visit for free. From 58 floors up, you’ll get amazing panoramic, but not quite 360 degree views of London. Inside, there is a cafe/ bar, but not much else!
Tickets for Horizon 22
Like the Sky Garden, tickets are free but do need to be booked in advance. You can do this on the Horizon 22 website linked here. Tickets are released every Monday at 10am, 14 days in advance. Again, set yourself a reminder to get them!
Horizon 22 Address
22 Bishopsgate, in the city of London
Views from Horizon 22
The views are similar to the Sky Garden; you’ll see the London skyline from above. Including The River Thames, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and even Buckingham Palace and Canary Wharf in the distance.
Horizon 22’s Opening Times
Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm. Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 10am – 4pm.
Closest Stations to Horizon 22
Horizon 22 is very well connected. Both Bank (on the Central, Northern, Waterloo & City and DLR lines) and Liverpool Street (on the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines) are only a 5-minute walk away.
There are many more options close by as well.
Is Horizon 22 Good for Kids?
Children are very welcome to visit Horizon 22. As there’s not much there other than the views, I wouldn’t plan to spend long here with kids. In full honesty, my children do prefer the Sky Garden!
Horizon 22
The Garden at 120
If you miss out on booking tickets for Horizon 22 and the Sky Garden, dont worry! The Garden at 120 is just down the road from the Sky Garden. It is also free, and no advance booking is required!
This is a very sweet rooftop garden. It is often quieter than The Sky Garden and Horizon 22 and has a relaxed vibe.
Tickets for the Garden at 120
Tickets are not required!
Address of the Garden at 120
120 Fenchurch Street, in the City of London. (A very short walk from the Sky Garden.)
Views from the Garden at 120
While it’s not as high up as some of the other viewing platforms in London I’ve mentioned, you’ll still get to see The Sky Garden (Walkie Talkie) and the Gherkin close up. As well as views of The Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Garden at 120 Opening Times
The Garden at 120 is open Monday to Friday 10am – 9pm from April to September. Then 10am – 6:30 pm from October to March. It also opens Saturdays and Sundays year-round from 10 am – to 5 pm.
Closest Stations to the Garden at 120
Both Monument (on the District & Circle lines) and Tower Hill (Circle & DLR) are approximately a five-minute walk away. You also have Fenchurch Street Train Station, which is even closer!
Is the Garden at 120 Good for Kids?
My kids really liked The Garden at 120. It was very quiet when we visited, so they could run about and explore easily! Aim to arrive at 10 am before the crowds.
READ MORE: FULL GARDEN AT 120 REVIEW
The Garden at 120
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park has some of the absolute best viewpoints in London! It’s also one of our favourite areas of London to explore. The first viewpoint is located by the Statue of General James Wolfe, and the second is called One Tree Hill Vista Point; from both, you’ll see incredible London skyline views.
Tickets for Greenwich Park
Both the park and its viewpoints are free to visit, no tickets needed.
Where is Greenwich Park?
Greenwich Park is located in Greenwich, South East London.
Views from Greenwich Park
From the Statue of General James Wolfe viewpoint, you’ll see historic Greenwich with the modern Canary Wharf skyline behind it. You can also see many more of the iconic buildings that make up the London skyline in the distance, including The O2 Arena, the Shard and the London Eye.
Greenwich Park’s Opening Times
The park opens at 6 am daily and is open until 6pm in winter and 9pm in summer.
How to Get to Greenwich Park
To get to Greenwich Park, use either Greenwich or Maze Hill train stations. You can also get to Greenwich on the DLR or by Uber Boat by Thames Clipper.
Is Greenwich Park Good For Families?
Absolutely, there is so much to do in Greenwich for families. The park has two playgrounds and the National Maritime Museum, which is also free to enter!
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO GREENWICH
The Observatory Viewpoint and One Tree Hill in Greenwich Park
The Rooftop at One New Change
Located at the top of One New Change shopping centre is a free rooftop and viewing platform. There is also a bar/restaurant called Madison’s, which is the perfect spot for a cocktail.
Tickets for the Rooftop at One New Change
Entry is free, and tickets are not required.
Address of One New Change
1 New Change, London EC4M 9AF, in the City of London, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. Take the lift (elevator) to the top.
Views from The Rooftop at One New Change
From here, you’ll see the most amazing views of London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. As well as the London Eye and other iconic buildings in the London skyline.
One New Change Opening Times
The Rooftop is open from 6am to midnight daily.
Getting to One New Change
The closest tube station is St Paul’s (Central line), which is just a one-minute walk away. Other options include Mansion House (Circle and District lines) and Bank (Central, Northern, DLR and Waterloo & City lines). Cannon Street train station is also only a short walk away.
Is the Rooftop at One New Change Good for Kids?
This is a small rooftop; my young children are a bit indifferent to it. They didnt mind a quick look, but I wouldn’t rust to take them back!
Madison (the rooftop bar) allows children before 3pm. After 3pm and all day Saturday, it is age 21+, so plan accordingly.
One New Change Rooftop
The Post Building Rooftop Garden
This is a hidden gem and one of the free viewing platforms in London you might not have heard of. It’s not as central as some of the others, so the views of the London skyline are more distant, but it is usually quieter, so perfect if you want to see panoramic views without the crowds.
Note: You will need to show ID to security to enter.
Tickets for The Post Building Rooftop Garden
Entry to the Post Building Rooftop Garden is free, and no tickets are required.
Address of The Post Building
29-31 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1BA. In an area of London called Bloomsbury.
Views from The Post Building Rooftop Garden
From the Post Building, you’ll get a really great view of the British Museum. This is an amazing building. You’ll also see rooftop views of the London skyline, including the London Eye, The Shard and the City of London.
The Post Building Rooftop Garden’s Opening Times
The Post Building Rooftop Garden is open from 10am to 7pm or dusk, whichever comes first.
Getting to The Post Building Rooftop Garden
Both Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) are about a 5-minute walk away. Charing Cross train station is also a 15-minute walk away.
Is The Post Building Rooftop Garden Good for Kids
I was surprised by how much my kids liked it here. There are quite a lot of steps, and they really enjoyed climbing up and down. We arrived at around 10:15 am, and it wasn’t very busy, so they could enjoy running about!
The Post Building Viewing Platform
The Lookout
The Lookout is our final free viewing platform in London to share with you. Located very close to Horizon 22, so offers similar panoramic views of London. This is another great, free viewing platform in London. At 50 floors up, it’s only 8 floors lower than Horizon 22.
Tickets for the Lookout
It is best to book tickets in advance. They are released every other week on Mondays. Book them on The Lookout’s website linked here.
Address of the Lookout
8 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ. In the City of London.
Views from the Lookout Viewing Platform
You’ll see great views of the London skyline, including the Gherkin, St Paul’s Cathedral, the River Thames, Tower Bridge and the London Eye.
The Lookout’s Opening Times
The Lookout is open from 10:30am – 5:50pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 12 noon – 9pm on Monday and Friday. 11am – 6pm on Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sundays.
Getting to the Lookout
You have lots of transport links to choose from. Liverpool Street train station, Bank (Central, Northern, DLR and Waterloo & City Lines) and Monument (Circle and District lines) are all very close to the Lookout.
Is the Lookout Good for Kids
Children are welcome at the Lookout when accompanied by an adult. There isn’t much there to entertain them. Personally, I would rather take them to the Sky Garden.
Thank you for reading our guide about the best free viewing platforms in London. We hope you have an amazing trip to London!
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
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