What are the best vantage points in London for getting photographs of the skyline? I'm talking about places that aren't 'private' and don't require ID to get in.

Obviously there's the Monument, London Eye, Hampstead Heath, etc. but what about other places?

Can you reach the top of Guy's Hospital, for example, without too much trouble? Are there any tower blocks, walkways, bridges or other places where you can just walk up?

Another example - the London College of Printing, in Elephant & Castle, where I studied a couple of years ago. The top floor has spectacular panoramic views of Westminster, the West End, City and Canary Wharf, and you can normally get in without even showing ID! Then there's the OXO Tower on the South Bank, the Tate Cafe at Tate Modern, and the platforms at Waterloo East station.

If you know any other good 'high points' then please post them here.

Btw, the reason I haven't posted this in Skyscrapers & Skylines is because it relates to the projects currently going up (Broadgate, Willis, Pan Peninsula, 30 Crown Place, etc.)

How about the Barbican Towers?

Stave Hill in Canada Water is an artifically created mound which you can reach the top of, giving good skyline views of Canary Wharf and the City.

http://www.lewishamcyclists.net/images/windmill_stave_hill.jpg

Beckton Alps is a disused artificial ski slope that closed a few years back. The summit is still accessible (although not particularly safe) and gives amazing views of the entire London skyline, and Docklands.

http://static.flickr.com/55/121467411_4a9048497c_m.jpg

Some high points:

* Top floor of Lewisham Car Park (view towards City & CW):

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7875/dsc05918yn4.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1241/dsc05912ur3.jpg

* high neighbourhoods like Charlton:

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/6484/dsc05930ap6.jpg

* West India Quay DLR Station:

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1802/dsc02789ed4.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3302/dsc05791uf4.jpg

* Shooters Hill area.

I managed to get to the top of Guy's Tower a few months back without being stopped. I was however with my brother's girlfriend who works there so its likely that I would have been stopped if I wasn't with her at the time.

Will, I went to the LCP.
One place that you know about and haven't mentioned is my favourite viewing place Greenwich park. Other open places Primrose Hill, the Archway, Alexander Palace Park. For closer in try Tower Bridge not free but open to the public. You could try to gain access to some of the council blocks south of City Rd like Peregine or Kestral House.

Hotels are good! Try the Holiday Inn (or whatever its called now) at Gloucester road. Get the lift to the 27th floor and then go to the stairwell...an amazing panoramo of the city. Try also the Hilton on Park Lane, the Metropol at Edgware Road and other tall ones you can think of.

Try and look like a hotel guest, or a hooker!

Oh and of course the tower of Westminster Catholic Cahedral, which is open for a fee and the top floor of John Lewis, Sloane square and any council tower block that doews not have concierge.

Westminster Cathedral tower is great - especially the fact it has a lift!

I'm not sure about their health and safety arrangements though. The last time I was up there the fire alarm in the building went off, fire engines arrived and the staircase back down was LOCKED. It took a full 15 minutes for someone to send the lift back up. Scary stuff, particularly if you happen to have a fear of heights like me!

Vertigo in Tower 42, London Eye, The Golden Gallery in St Paul's Cathedral, Monument, Westminster Cathedral tower, and the piano bar at the Hyde Park Hilton are the best IMO. Outside central London the best high views are from Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath and the Greenwich Observatory.

Vertigo in Tower 42
This was recently closed to the public and is for corporate events only now.

I have several Fire Brigade keys which could allow access to some Council tower block roofs, if anybody's game :D

Good Hills include, Shooters, Crystal Palace and Beluah, Primrose and Hamstead and Highgate. Buildings include, Guys (although the windows havent been cleaned in years, pretend to be going to dental on 23 but go up to the 30th floor) St Pauls is good but lots of climbing ! The multi storey car park at Brixton is good(but dont go alone!)

From the top floor of the Thistle Barbican hotel - Taken in May

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/rfw1/misc/Barbicanthistleview.jpg

Hotels not mentioned:

Novotel Kings X - There is a panoramic lift on the left past reception. Go straight through as tho you are a guest.

Marriott Docklands -

Hills:

Brockwell Park, Herne Hill

Free Buildings -
Guys is easy, just go up to 30th floor on the lifts - why should anyone stop you, its a public building. You can also get into the plant room on the next floor up with windows that open.

Heygate Estate, Elephant & Castle (take a stab-proof vest)- Go before it gets demolished. Its a stinky walk up stairs dodging disposable nappies if the lifts don't work. Not advisable at night.

I have others but can't remember right now.

When (if ever) is Queens Tower going to re-open?

Telegraph Hill Park in New Cross is a good vantage point for the City.

Roll on London Bridge tower and its viewing platform!

If money was no object you couyld always get a Scenic Flight

A quick Google revealed at least one operator offering

'Enjoy a totally new perspective of London by air in one of our twin-engine aircraft! Subject to Air Traffic Control clearance, your pilot will fly along the Thames and you will be able to see Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and many more unforgettable views!'

Well out of my league though!

Whites Row Car park - off the Commercial Street.East London.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4638/artillerypassagemu6.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8947/thetenbellsgq2.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3209/fournierstreetss2.jpg

YMCA Tower.Barbican :

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/El_Greco/SV100175.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6561/barbicanbishopsgateswissre2jq.jpg

Denmark Hill near East Dulwich isn't bad.

This was recently closed to the public and is for corporate events only now.

hmmmm, weird, I was there 2 months ago when I went out for lunch with my two bosses. They've updated and sweetened the website, but it still shows the general lunch menu that anyone can turn up for, although you need to book in advance. A couple of other colleagues closed out a big deal recently and they said 8 of them were booked in and had half the space to themselves. I'm sure any member of the public can still book to go up, just most don't as its not open at weekends, and if you go you have to either eat the reasonably priced lunch, or drink from the rather expensive wine list.

Vertigo (http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/)

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/8351/img06942ey.jpg

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/7669/img06915kc.jpg

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6743/img06904nn.jpg

Primrose Hill - definately my favourite view in London:

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/8987/img00531op.jpg

In addition, suggest:

Cote d'Argent in the City (Cheapside), has a great roof garden;
The public bar at the top of the Hilton Park Lane;
Kensington Roof Gardens (owned by Branson), off High Street Ken (above Gap and H&M) has cracking views over South Ken and down to Battersea Power Station from its terrace; and
The Oxo Tower is excellent!

Hmmm, do you see Jimbo's favourite haunts all involve either food or alcohol and views of London :cheers:

P.S. Not publicly open, but my office window has the following views :rock: :

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/7562/img00698gj.jpg

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2117/img00683ro.jpg

yeh i remember often going up the flats on the heygate estate in elephant and castle when i lived opposite to check out the skyline, wonderful view, great on fireworks night too. as someone mentioned however, probs not too good an idea with an expensive camera after dark!

Crystal Palace & that area (which has some of the highest points in Lonson)has somefantastic views- One very unknown view that has IMO one of the best views of London is from Norwood Park (nearest BR -Gypsy hill- about 20mins from LB or Victoria)- from there you can see the city & CW in 2 clearly defined clusters- You are due south fo the city so Guys etc merges with the city cluster & just to the right is the CW cluster. Thers no clutter from other council flats etc so it looks like 2 stand alone cluser- Recommended

Bump ;)

Suicide Bridge (Archway).
ExCeL Footbridge (Royal Docks).
The Point off the Blackheath Hill Rd (Greenwich).

The above picture with St Pauls close by was just used in David Starkey's Monarchy programme I believe this week...I was watching it and was astounded to see St Pauls so close, with him apparantly being on the rooftops.

The above picture with St Pauls close by was just used in David Starkey's Monarchy programme I believe this week...I was watching it and was astounded to see St Pauls so close, with him apparantly being on the rooftops.


what! My photo? Oh no, similar view. Well our 9th floor holds the Boardroom but also two lovely outside terraces where the execs often get photos taken for publicity and interviews. The views are that good, perhaps 5 storeys too low to see out the next door buildings and across to the Gherkin and T42. Better vantage points would be One London Wall or Richard Rodgers Wood Street,(both another few storeys taller), but then I can't see any outside decks for them.

Primrose Hill - definately my favourite view in London:


http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2117/img00683ro.jpg


St Pauls is so beautiful, but I dont understand why Wren did not Convex a join between the colonade of the dome and the roof of the trancept?

Just wait until we get the observation deck in the Shard - Wow! (what floor will it be on and height?)- I'm guessing no plans for these in Leadenhall or Bishopsgate seeing as they are office buildings.

Just wait until we get the observation deck in the Shard - Wow! (what floor will it be on and height?)- I'm guessing no plans for these in Leadenhall or Bishopsgate seeing as they are office buildings.

The Shard will be publicly accessible on floors 31-33 and 65-66.

Heron Tower will have a skybar and restaurant on its top floor.

Bishopsgate Tower will have a public area about halfway up I believe.

Beetham Tower will have a viewing gallery on its 51st and 52nd floors.

20 Fenchurch Street will have sky gardens.

Trinity One (http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/4842TrinityTwo_pic1.jpg) will have an observation deck and public cafe on its 23rd floor.

Tower 42 already has restaurants on its 24th and 42nd floors.

Yes, Leadenhalls just about the only biggie in the city that won't have an observation floor. shame...

But hey, who would want to look FROM Leadenhall when you can look At Leadenhall?

Anyway, we should hopefully have an 'Official 122 Leadenhall demolition/construction' thread within a month, should we not?:)

Not that tall itself, but the Idea Store in Whitechapel is / will be a great place to view the current City skyline and watch it evolve. Some good shots to be had from there.

I remember back in the day when I was just a kid hassling my parents to take me to the top of One Canada Sqaure which was open to the public at the time. Shame that's not still open.

Trinity One (http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/4842TrinityTwo_pic1.jpg) will have an observation deck and public cafe on its 23rd floor.

Is that building approved?

Absolutely stunning
(http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12725394&postcount=77)

Not very tall but the coffee bar at the top of John Lewis in Sloane Sq has great views over the roof tops of west London. Primrose Hill and Greenwich Observatory are a close run thing but for me Greenwich edges it! ( I was lucky enough to go to the viewing floor of 1CS on the first, and only weekend, it was open to the public!)

Absolutely stunning
(http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=12725394&postcount=77)

huh?

huh?

Well I (obviously) meant the view described in that link is absolutely stunning...

From that post, thought there would be a link to an image that was ''Absolutely stunning''. And maybe you just posted the wrong one.

hmmm

Yes you can get to the top of Guys' tower. There are windows in the lobby on 32 floor. Its public so anyone can go there.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9064/londonfromguystowerny8.jpg
Crap pic from phone from 31st floor conference room.

Check out the view from the top of Burgess Park and Gipsy Hill

Primrose Hill - definately my favourite view in London:

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/8987/img00531op.jpg



Lol...changed a bit since I last went there back in 1999.

Just heard that Centre Point is to get a public restaurant in the run-up to 2012. It will be on the top floor. :banana:


http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/102CentrePoint_pic6.jpg

Wow, fantastic!
I hope its something that is affordable to the general public rather than something ultra exclusive.

Just heard that Centre Point is to get a public restaurant in the run-up to 2012. It will be on the top floor.
Nice one....been knocked back a couple of times trying to get on top of this beauty ..game on !

Such a good looking tower that too, why does the base and street interaction have to be so bad! :(

Nice one....been knocked back a couple of times trying to get on top of this beauty ..game on !

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/tomyates7/banana132.gif that's you, that is

Hasn't been mentioned yet, but the Greenwich Wheel, which is in operation until autumn:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2664109702_a5728d8867_b.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/tomyates7/banana132.gif that's you, that is

But not me :banana:

Been there, done that!! :D

Wow, fantastic! I hope its something that is affordable to the general public rather than something ultra exclusive.I very much doubt it will anything other than exclusive!

I know. Its a pity.
You never know though. Maybe it will be a Burger King or a Pizza Hut :)

I know. Its a pity.


Why is it a pity?I mean you hate poor people.

Well hopefully it will be exclusive, at least then it will be worth queing for the view!

Why is it a pity?I mean you hate poor people.

Even poor people have a right to a decent unubstructed view of Londons skyline.

Dont be a troll.

I cant imagine yourself standing shoulder to shoulder with the poor folk.I guess there should be two restaurants one for the poor and another for the rich eh?

Its going to be a private members club over 2/3 floors so not much chance the general public will get a look in.

I cant imagine yourself standing shoulder to shoulder with the poor folk.

No, I love doing that.

Not sure if it has been mentioned before but the bar on the 6th floor of the Festival Hall is free for anyone to go into ( you dont have to be seeing a show ) and the view of the Northbank, down to Big Ben is spectacular, Last night with the beautiful sky and sunset it looked out of this world, wish I had my camera!

There is the bar on top of Waterstones on Piccadilly too which provides a some what enclosed skimming along the rooftops view of Westminster

Is the festival hall one the new Skylon Bar?

Oh , If im not mistaken the Skylon is on the 5th floor, this is an outdoor balcony bar on the 6th floor, its absolutley beautiful!

One of my little claims to fame is that I went to the top floor of 1 Canada on the first, and as I had suspected, only weekend it was open to the public. It was closed straight away because of IRA bomb threats.

No, I love doing that.

It just doesnt come across :)

Anyway! I went to the 21st floor when it belonged to the MI Insurance group in the mid 1980's

Jai Kingston was my 'no morals Tory child' adviser. She said to me one day, whilst trying to make a sale. " come along and we will talk about it...you know...see my flat (wink) and everything "

How she changed her tune when my young innocent self cancelled the agreement " I have to pay my commission back now you Bastard !" She whispered

How I cried for her dented pride (for pride read immoral sicknesses)

From Shooters Hill in the borough of Greenwich.

On a clear day, the arch of Wembley Stadium and beyond are clearly visible.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2573259667_9c81a27307_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2613879788_fc98f932a8_b.jpg

It just doesnt come across :)

Anyway! I went to the 21st floor when it belonged to the MI Insurance group in the mid 1980's

Jai Kingston was my 'no morals Tory child' adviser. She said to me one day, whilst trying to make a sale. " come along and we will talk about it...you know...see my flat (wink) and everything "

How she changed her tune when my young innocent self cancelled the agreement " I have to pay my commission back now you Bastard !" She whispered

How I cried for her dented pride (for pride read immoral sicknesses)


I have no idea what any of that means but it sounds mad anyway. :)

I'm going to try to get to the top of Swiss Re this year as part of the open house event. Got to be quick though. All the places went within hours last year.

All the places went within hours last year.

Actually, it was more like 15 minutes!

there is a mansion block in Holland Park that has new york style fire escape you can climb to the roof on the 11th floor and it has the most amazing view! but it has to be done in the middle of the night coz there are lots of kitchens and stuff that have full view of stairs.

it was my secret smoking plot.

YMCA Tower in Barbican has such fire escape too and the views are absolutely stunning (see pic on page 1).

there is a mansion block in Holland Park that has new york style fire escape you can climb to the roof on the 11th floor and it has the most amazing view! but it has to be done in the middle of the night coz there are lots of kitchens and stuff that have full view of stairs.

it was my secret smoking plot.




I actually once spoke to the landlord who owns that building and told him I thought the fire escapes were cool.


He told me that they were a magnet for burglars.

Does anyone know of a good publicly accessible point along Oxford Street to view the street below?

The rooftop walkway over the Millennium Dome is to open to the public.

Tickets will cost £22.

Sadly, no cameras will be allowed. :(

http://www.theo2.co.uk/upattheo2


http://i.imgur.com/FLVVv.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/Hyobp.jpg

If you're a London resident, your £15 entry to St Paul's can be used as many times as you like for 12 months. I'm often near St Paul's, so for me it will work out less than £1 each time. I still think the Golden Gallery is the best view of London.

I've never heard of that! That's amazing! Thanks Langur!

London Lad mentioned much earlier in the thread about the view from Norwood park; I live near the upper norwood/crystal palace area and there are a number of great vantage points:

Norwood Park
Gipsy Hill
Any opening on westow hill
my personal favourite: Convent hill

By the upper norwood (not Crystal Palace) ridge, the Dartford crossing is faintly but definitely visible, at night looking much like the two transmitters would from a distance

Also, easier to see in winter so the trees dont block the view, the tops of the city skyscrapers are visible over the crystal palace/ upper norwood/ sydenham ridge from a hill in Addiscombe, South Croydon

You can see Canary Wharf (and possibly the Shard?) from the old Croydon airfield site, which is now a park

Finally, there are stunning all round views from Shirley/ Addington hills, also just on the border of South Croydon.

I'll try and get photos of these after my exams!

The rooftop walkway over the Millennium Dome is to open to the public. [...] Sadly, no cameras will be allowed. :(

For safety reasons, it seems. Mobile phones are permitted, though can only be taken out at the summit - presumably you can take photos with your phone at that point if you want to.

http://www.theo2.co.uk/index.php/?option=com_content&task=view&id=870

you guys name a lot of points for taking good pictures or something like that.

But what are the best (legal) places for tourists maybe with facilities (restaurant, bars, ...) for normal budget ?
(so please dont name the hilton ;) )


will be there next week and the 16th floor of my hotel in Covent Garden is not bad, but surely not the best

^ You don't have to be staying at the Park Lane Hilton to visit the Galvin at Windows bar. A coke isn't going to cost you the earth.


Tourist Attractions
The best views from tourist attractions...

1) Golden Gallery at the very top of St Paul's cathedral dome (£15). This is only open during the day:
http://www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History/Explore-the-Cathedral/Climb-the-Dome

2) The London Eye costs even more than St Paul's but is open until late. It gives the best views of Big Ben/Parliament:
http://www.londoneye.com/

3) Tower Bridge upper walkways are cool but not that high:
http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/TBE/EN/Exhibition/Walkways

4) The Monument involves going up the long spiral staircase of Wren's Monument to the Great Fire of London. It gives an ok view:
http://www.themonument.info/

5) Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with nearby Westminster Abbey) has a tower with a nice view (£5).
http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/news.php#news_473


Skyscraper Bars
Of the tourist attractions, only the London Eye and Golden Gallery at St Paul's can compete with the best skyscraper bars. The first three need to be booked in advance. However at quiet times, "in advance" can be as little as 10 minutes.

1) Paramount atop Centre Point (117m) has the best daytime view over the West End and London in general. Don't miss the "viewing gallery" upstairs (much better than the main bar). Book on this number: 020 7420 2900.
http://www.paramount.uk.net/#/restaurant/viewinggallery/

2) Vertigo 42 atop Tower 42 (183m) has the best view of the City, and arguably the best night time view of London. It's also the highest place currently open to the public. Book on 020 7877 7842.
http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/gallery.php

3) Attic Bar atop Pan Peninsula (147m) provides the best view of Canary Wharf, and imo is best by night. The bar itself is the nicest of the four I list here. Book on 020 8305 3080.
http://www.panpeninsula.com/#/facilities/cocktailbar

4) Galvin at Windows bar atop the Park Lane Hilton (101m) is the weakest of the four, but still very nice:
http://www.galvinatwindows.com/


Open-air Rooftop Bars
In addition, there are open air rooftop bars which are generally lower but have fantastic views. Imo the pick of them are..

1) The Vista Bar in the Trafalgar Hotel at Trafalgar Square:
http://www.thetrafalgar.com/vista-homepage/

2) Skylounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel near Tower Hill. You cannot see from the poxy image at the bottom of this page, but there's a bar with a large outdoor roof terrace with great views:
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-london-tower-of-london-LONTLDI/dining/index.html

3) One New Change is a Jean Nouvel designed office building and shopping mall just east of St Paul's. There's an expensive bar/restaurant on the roof (Madison), but there's no need to go to the bar as the whole rooftop is open to the public:
http://www.onenewchange.com/11the-roof-terrace.aspx


There are a couple more ideas here, but I've already listed the best of them. Aqua and Coq d'Argent are probably the best of the rest:
http://www.designmynight.com/channel/15/Rooftop-bars

Thanks a lot man!!!!!

What would be the best 2 choices for some fast and unplaned visit ?
(when the hotel is in the east)

btw: i see, the "centre point" building i know from another stay at Covent Garden Travelode, is near to my actual place


My family isn´t that interested in height than me ;)

The Golden Gallery at St Paul's by day, and Vertigo 42 in the evening are the best two imo. They're both in the City and therefore east of the very centre. Beware of opening hours, especially for the galleries at St Paul's. Have fun! :)

was in the paramount bar of centrepoint last weekend... it did not disappoint! spectacular views in all directions (best cityscape views i've ever seen).. and very accessible! (i think you can turn up, and see the view for the price of an overpriced beer, otherwise do as i did and phone them, book a table).. but hurry.. its closing very soon! (being converted to apartments)

Thanks a lot man!!!!!

What would be the best 2 choices for some fast and unplaned visit ?
(when the hotel is in the east)

btw: i see, the "centre point" building i know from another stay at Covent Garden Travelode, is near to my actual place


My family isn´t that interested in height than me ;)

If Hotel is in the East End
try the Boundary and all around there...some seriously funky bars, restaurants and other eating places in that area now..and has been for a while, though its now well and truly discovered hence full of people all week long

You forgot to mention Altitude 360 at the top of the Milbank tower ! Have booked it for birthdays in the past and the view from the city room is superb :0) It's not a turn up and dine type establishment though sadly

http://www.altitudelondon.com/

I was lucky enough to be invited up the Gherkin recently, amazing views from up there!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8561940306_12e5ae923a_z.jpg
Full set of pics here (Flickr link) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenchie/sets/72157632994040219/detail/)

I went up the George Hotel on Langham Place the other day, just off oxford circus. they have a relaxed bar and restaurant on the 15th floor you can just walkin and get the lift up to. next to broadcasting house so apparently bbc's employees often go there.

also haven't seen dawson's heights/hill mentioned yet. a minor hill in the very south east of the london borough of southwark, in front of an impressive 70s looking council block. vary wide, and stunning view, though when i stumbled upon it there was some "beef" going on in the flats behind, with g's shouting at the top of their voices. maybe not a family destination, that one.