London's Top 10 Panoramic Views

Once you've enjoyed London from the ground level, it's a great idea to head upwards and look down on the city's many famous buildings and attractions.

There are plenty of places where you can enjoy a panoramic view of London, from posh bars to hilltops! Here's a few of our recommendations for enjoying breath-taking views across the city.

London's Top 10 Panoramic Views

St Paul's Cathedral

As well as being an important part of London's skyline, St Paul's Cathedral offers stunning views over London from its Golden Gallery. You''ll need to climb 530 steps to get up there but the view is worth it! From here you can spot the Thames, the South Bank, the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe and many more iconic London sights.

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Primrose Hill

The view from the top of Primrose Hill is one of London's best and it's completely free! From the top of the hill (63 metres or 206 feet above sea level) you'll have a clear view across Central London. And of course, you can visit The Regent's Park and hopefully spot a few of Primrose Hill's famous residents while you're in the area.

Oxo Tower

Pop into the Oxo Tower for dinner or a drink combined with a breathtaking view across the Thames. Splash out at the restaurant, enjoy more relaxed dining in the brasserie, or stop off for a cocktail in the bar while you enjoy an unparalleled view of St Paul's Cathedral.

Tower Bridge

Go on the Tower Bridge Exhibition tour and look down on the Thames from 42 metres (137 feet) up! The view from the bridge's covered walkways includes The Gherkin, The Monument and HMS Belfast. The tour also covers the Victorian Engine Rooms and you can experience a virtual bridge lift.

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Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Royal Observatory Greenwich offers a beautiful view of historic Greenwich, Greenwich Park and the City. At the Royal Observatory, you can also visit the Planetarium for an amazing tour of the sky at night. Greenwich is the home of time: you can stand on the famous meridian line which divides the east and west hemispheres.

Merlin Entertainments London Eye

The London Eye offers dramatic views over London: you can see up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) in all directions! Make your flight extra special with a champagne flight or private capsule. Plus, you get two amazing views for the price of one with the London Eye's new 4D cinema, offering a multi-sensory film of London, guided by a friendly seagull!

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The Monument

The Monument was built in the 1670s to commemorate the Great Fire of London, which destroyed much of the city. The Monument offers amazing 360-degree views of London and costs just £3 to enter. Getting to the top involves climbing up 311 steps, but if you don't fancy the hike, there's a screen showing a live camera feed of the view at the bottom.

Alexandra Palace

Walk up to Alexandra Palace and you'll be met with a fantastic view over London. As the venue is set within 196 acres of parkland, it's nice and green too! Alexandra Palace also offers an ice-skating rink and hosts regular events.

Vertigo 42

Tower 42 is the tallest building in London, so it's not surprising that the view from the top is pretty spectacular. Even if you don't work in the building, you can head up to the champagne bar, Vertigo 42, at 600ft (182 metres) above street level, and enjoy a glass of bubbly while you look out over London. Reservations are essential.

The Trafalgar Roof Garden

Sip a glass of champagne and look down on the masses in Trafalgar Square from the glamorous roof garden at The Trafalgar hotel. From up here, you can see lots of London attractions, including the London Eye, Nelson's Column, The National Gallery and more.