In this article, you'll learn the following:
London is the third-most filmed city in the world – and it’s no wonder! The skyline is filled with historical landmarks and unique modern structures, and the city bustles night and day. The Tower of London is 600 years older than The Shard, which is 900 feet taller than the Tower, yet they’re separated by less than a mile!
There’s no better place to admire the capital than from a height. There are many options to view London in a new light, from bars and restaurants to elevators and Ferris wheels. To help you plan an unforgettable experience, we’ve rounded up the best London attractions with panoramic views.
Sky Garden
1 Sky Garden Walk, 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF
skygarden.london/
Opened in 2015, Sky Garden is a public park at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie-Talkie. It’s London's highest garden, 155 metres above the city (the clue’s in the name)!
Stepping out of the lift onto the 35th-floor roof terrace, you’re greeted by a spectacular city view. Gaze down at London’s iconic landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Thames, from lofty new heights. It’s also a unique vantage point from which to view modern marvels like the Cheesegrater, the Gherkin and The Shard.
The glass building in London’s Square Mile offers unbeatable views. Best of all? Entrance is free, but you must book online three days in advance. Visiting Sky Garden is one of the best free things to do in London.
It’s a 20-minute bus ride from London Waterloo to the Sky Garden.
Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/level-10
Tate Modern’s angular brick building is striking to look at, but even better to look out from. The gallery has several viewing balconies, but the 10th floor is the best. This level boasts panoramic views of London’s skyline, with St Paul’s Cathedral standing proudly in the foreground. The cathedral’s spire battles for your attention, with the towering skyscrapers behind it. On clear days, the Wembley Stadium arch peeks over the horizon (10 miles away).
Gallery entry is free, and there’s no booking required. Tate Modern is a 20-minute walk from London Waterloo.
Radio Rooftop, Covent Garden
336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
radiorooftop.com/
Near the bustling hub of Covent Garden lies another 10th-floor viewing platform, Radio Rooftop. It sits atop the building where the BBC’s first broadcasts were read. That programme reached listeners hundreds of miles away – and this view reaches almost as far!
London’s eclectic mosaic of architecture spans styles and centuries. Cast your gaze from east to west, and you’ll see everything from The Shard to Big Ben. Plus, the venue serves a range of delicious cocktails, so sit back and enjoy the view with a drink.
Radio Rooftop is a 15-minute stroll from London Waterloo.
Bōkan, Canary Wharf
40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP
bokanlondon.co.uk/
Bōkan sits atop Novotel Hotel Canary Wharf in the East End. Its 39th-floor rooftop terrace offers the best perspective of London’s night-time skyline when dazzling lights illuminate the cityscape.
The restaurant serves modern European fare and cocktails, but the view is the main attraction. Bōkan has the best views in London at night of The Shard, the Gherkin and the Cheesegrater. The city’s unique skyscrapers – some jutting and angular, some arching and curved – carve instantly recognisable silhouettes in the night sky.
Getting to Bōkan is easy. From London Waterloo, hop on the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf. Walk 10 minutes from there.
OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie, Southwark
OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie, Barge House St, London SE1 9PH
oxotowerrestaurant.com/
The OXO Tower has been an iconic sight on the south bank of the Thames since 1929. The former power station was opened to the public in 1996, and visitors have enjoyed iconic views of the river and St Paul’s from its rooftop ever since. No wonder – it has some of the best rooftop views in the South West!
The bar and brasserie serve superb modern British food and delicious cocktails, but it’s all about the view from your dining table.
OXO Tower is a 12-minute walk from London Waterloo.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
stpauls.co.uk/
The Golden Gallery is St Paul’s crowning feature. It wraps around the spire's base 280 feet above floor level (up in the gods)! The open-air balcony has one of the best unobstructed views of London.
If heights give you jelly legs, the Stone Gallery (about two-thirds of the way up) and Whispering Gallery (halfway) also have great views. Over the Thames, spot The Shard, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe.
To get to St Paul’s Cathedral from London Waterloo, take the Waterloo & City line to Bank. Walk 10 minutes from there.
Lift 109, Battersea
Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BN
lift109.co.uk/
Battersea Power Station, the former coal-fired power station, reopened in 2022 after ten-year renovations. It has four chimneys, one of which has been completely repurposed. It used to release smoke but now delivers visitors to a viewing platform 109 metres in the air.
Lift 109 is an immersive experience featuring interactive activities and light and sound displays.
Take in stunning panoramic views from the glass elevator (like one of Roald Dahl’s creations!). You’ll see over the neighbourhoods of Battersea and Pimlico at your feet, to the London Eye and the City of London in the distance.
There are plenty of trains to Battersea Power Station with South Western Railway. The closest SWR station is Queenstown Road (Battersea). It’s an 11-minute walk from there.
The London Eye, South Bank
Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
londoneye.com/
The London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel (aka Ferris wheel).
The structure stands 442 feet tall over the south bank of the Thames. It’s London’s most popular paid attraction and has had over 70 million visitors since it opened in 2000 – for good reason! The wheel rotates anti-clockwise, and the city reveals itself as you ascend. You have a unique view of the Thames from above, as well as famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster and Big Ben.
Check out SWR Rewards for the latest discounts when you book directly with us, including discounts on trips up the London Eye!
Trains to the London Eye are frequent with SWR. It’s just a five-minute walk from London Waterloo.
ArcelorMittal Orbit, Stratford
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton St, London E20 2AD
arcelormittalorbit.com/about/about-the-arcelormittal-orbit/
The ArcelorMittal Orbit in Queen Elizabeth Park is the UK’s tallest sculpture, built for the London 2012 Olympic Games. From its 80-metre-high viewing platform, you’ll see most of London’s iconic landmarks, including The Shard, Big Ben, the BT Tower and the O2.
Getting to the ArcelorMittal Orbit is easy from London Waterloo; take the Jubilee line to Stratford. It’s a 3-minute walk from there.
If you're planning a weekend in London, book your train tickets in advance to get the best prices. Browse our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and check your eligibility for a Railcard or GroupSave for further savings.
