Experiences
The 5 Best Views in London
Rooftop gardens, skyline bars and free viewing decks: where to find the best views in London.
In short: our top picks are Sky Garden, Horizon 22 and The View from The Shard. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London is a city that rewards looking down on it. From free sky gardens and viewing decks to rooftop bars and the top of its great towers, the best views turn the sprawl into something breathtaking. These are the best views in London, the famous and the secret, and how to see them well.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Garden | The City | £££ |
| Horizon 22 | The City | ££ |
| The View from The Shard | London Bridge | £££ |
| Primrose Hill | Primrose Hill | |
| Parliament Hill | Hampstead |
-
Editor’s choice
Sky Garden
Why we pick itThree storeys of public garden atop the Walkie Talkie, with a free viewing deck; book a sunset slot.
-
Horizon 22
Why we pick itLondon's highest free viewing platform, on the 58th floor; 300-degree views and you pay nothing.
-
The View from The Shard
Why we pick itWestern Europe's highest viewpoint; go near dusk and watch the whole city light up beneath you.
-
Primrose Hill
Why we pick itThe classic free skyline view across Regent's Park to the towers; perfect at sunset with a bottle.
-
Parliament Hill
Why we pick itThe finest free view in north London, across the Heath to the City; worth the climb for the panorama.
Before you book
Many of the best viewpoints are free but need a booked slot, so reserve ahead, especially for sunset. Go on a clear day and time it for golden hour if you can. And pair a free deck with a drink at a skyline bar afterwards; the city looks even better with a glass in hand.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Sky Garden is our editor's choice: Three storeys of public garden atop the Walkie Talkie, with a free viewing deck; book a sunset slot. Sky Garden, Horizon 22 and The View from The Shard lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
Related guides
Experiences Free Things to Do in London
The best of London that costs nothing: world-class galleries, grand parks, hidden corners and great views.
5 places Read guide →
Bars The Best Rooftop Bars in London
The terraces worth the lift, for the view, the crowd, or both, the moment London opens up.
5 places Read guide →
Experiences mini golf london
Five crazy golf courses worth the green fee, from a 1920s Riviera basement to a labyrinth under London Bridge.
5 places Read guide →
Experiences The Best Animal Cafes in London
Rescue cats, resident capybaras and puppuccinos: London's cafes where the animals are the point.
6 places Read guide →
Experiences 3 days in london
A day by day route through London's essential sights, from Westminster and the Tower to Camden and the view from Sky Garden.
15 places Read guide →From the Journal
The Art of the London Date Night
Dinner is the easy part. The idea is what people remember. A guide to dates that actually land.
14 Aug 2026Read →
London Off the Script: The Unusual and the Free
The London you remember years later is rarely the one on the list, and the best of it tends to cost nothing at all.
12 Jun 2026Read →
Things to Do for Two: A London Date Beyond Dinner
The most memorable London dates are often the ones where dinner is a footnote and the evening is shaped by something you did together.
4 Jun 2026Read →Readers also viewed
Experiences The Best Parks in London
Royal lawns, wild heaths and hidden gardens: the best parks in London for a walk, a picnic or a pause.
5 places Read guide →
Experiences The Best Hidden Gems in London
Six lesser-known London places a sharp local actually sends people to: a neon warehouse, two house museums, a candlelit time capsule, the oldest music hall, and a Japanese garden.
6 places Read guide →
Experiences The Best Museums in London
World-class and mostly free: the best museums in London, from the great institutions to the hidden gems.
5 places Read guide →
Experiences Immersive Dining Experiences in London
Dinner as theatre: the London immersive dining experiences worth the ticket.
4 places Read guide →