The Best Free Views in London (That Locals Actually Use)
We all come to London expecting classic photo ops the view from The Shard, maybe London Eye. But as any local will tell you: some of the best views are free, low-key, a bit hidden, and perfect for those moments when you want a city panorama without the ticket queue.
If you want to see London from unexpected angles from rooftop terraces, parks, quiet walkways here are some free views (or mostly free) that Londoners use, love, and often keep secret.
Why Free Views Matter (Especially to Locals)
When you're here long enough, paying £25 for a view gets old. But watching a sunrise or dusk light over rooftops? That never does. Free views offer something quieter, more personal: a pause, a perspective, a new lens on familiar streets.
Also, many free viewpoints exist because of planning protections (so historic sightlines are preserved) or public access to rooftop gardens in buildings. Locals know to reserve those tickets, time their visits, and enjoy the calm.
1. Horizon 22 — London’s Highest Free Platform
One of the newer gems, Horizon 22 is in 22 Bishopsgate. It’s been called London’s highest free observation platform, offering roughly 300-degree vistas of the city.
You’ll want to book a timeslot ahead (walk-ins are limited), especially at sunset. The elevator ride up (41 seconds!) feels like stepping from street London into a quiet, suspended cityscape.
2. The Sky Garden — Garden in the Clouds
The Sky Garden, at 20 Fenchurch Street (the “Walkie-Talkie” building), is one of London’s most beloved free views.
Set across indoor gardens, glass walls, and an open terrace, it blends architecture and green space. While it's free to enter, you’ll want to reserve a timeslot because it is popular.
From the Sky Garden you can see Tower Bridge, the Thames, The Shard, and much more especially beautiful in early morning light or twilight.
3. The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate — Quiet, Glass, Panoramic
Adjacent to Horizon 22, The Lookout occupies 8 Bishopsgate and offers a calm, rooftop-style viewing platform.
The advantage? It’s often less crowded, and the full glass walls mean unobstructed views of the city. Locals like to slide in early mornings or later evenings when the light is soft, and the city hums gently below.
4. One New Change Rooftop Terrace — St Paul’s, Up Close
Sometimes you don’t need to climb high you just need to be in the right spot. One New Change (next to St. Paul’s Cathedral) has a rooftop terrace open to the public.
From there, the dome of St Paul’s becomes your foreground, London’s skyline your backdrop. It’s accessible, central, and striking.
Madison Roof Terrace (above One New Change) also offers views of the cathedral dome, though as it’s partly a restaurant space, check opening hours.
5. The Garden at 120 — A Lush Rooftop Escape
At 120 Fenchurch Street (near the Sky Garden), there's Garden at 120, a rooftop garden on the 15th floor.
It’s not as high as some views, but feels intimate trees, benches, water features with great angles on London’s glass towers and historic buildings. Because it’s lower, it often escapes the crowds that swarm the higher observation decks.
6. Parks, Hills & Hillsides — Nature + Panorama
Not all views have to come from buildings. Sometimes the best free views in London are from high ground or open parks.
Brockwell Park (Herne Hill area): The hilltop gives skyline glimpses, especially looking northwards toward central London.
Greenwich Park / Royal Observatory slope: The path up gives sweeping views of east London, the Thames, Canary Wharf, and more. The view is protected by planning rules to preserve that skyline corridor.
King Henry’s Mound in Richmond Park: A little farther out, but locals go here for a sweeping panorama of London from greenery.
7. Other Hidden Spots Worth Seeking Out
The Post Building Roof Garden (Museum Street, Bloomsbury): Rooftop garden with views over Bloomsbury, the British Museum, and Holborn. Entry is usually via the building’s lobby.
Westminster Bridge & Millennium Bridge at dawn or dusk: Walking along the Thames bridges reveals iconic views Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and it costs nothing.
The Tate Modern’s Blavatnik Building viewing floor (Level 10): While entry to the Tate is free, the viewing floor offers extra panoramic views over the river and city.
How to Visit These Views Like a Local
Here’s how to get the most from visiting free views:
Book timed slots in advance (Sky Garden, Horizon 22) — some spots run out fast.
Go early or late — sunrise or near closing time often means lighter crowds.
Bring a ground-level companion — binoculars, camera, maybe a small picnic.
Check opening hours — some rooftop terraces close early or have restricted entry times.
Blend views & exploration — pair a rooftop visit with a neighborhood walk or a café stop.
Watch for light conditions — golden hour, blue hour, or after rain can make skylines glow.
Final Thoughts & How to Use This List
London’s skyline is famous but what locals cherish are the quiet moments with a view: a garden terrace in a high-rise, a hill with a skyline over your shoulder, a rooftop where you can breathe.
Try one or two each week. Share with friends. Let a city you walk every day surprise you again.
If you love finding these kinds of hidden vistas the real London views people don’t always talk about follow @london.yaar I post guides, secrets, routes, and spins that make London feel new again.
Here’s to new height, new perspective, new light.