Budget Views of London

Discover stunning views of London’s skyline from a number of lesser known locations for those travelling on a budget.  Offering either FREE or reasonable priced entry, these settings can compliment views found at iconic attractions such as The London Eye or The Shard.

1. Horizon 22; Free Views of London

Billed as the highest viewing platform in London, Horizon 22 is the latest attraction to offer spectacular views over London overlooking many of the top sights including the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London & St Paul’s Cathedral. The great news is that tickets are FREE of charge  and offers you a a floor-to-ceiling glass window experience spanning 300 degrees around the London skyline.  Demand is likely to remain fierce so you’ll need some forward planning with this attraction. More information available within our Guide to Horizon 22 Viewing Platform.

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Horizon 22

2. The Sky Garden; 20 Fenchurch Street

The Sky Garden is located within London’s latest skyscraper and offers stunning views of London for FREE! Set within lush surrounding in the heart of the city, the Sky Garden is free to enter for those that plan in advance and offers some of the best views of London including the Tower of London, the River Thames, Canary Wharf & Tower Bridge.  Sitting directly across from The Shard on the north bank of the Thames, this offers you a chance to pick up some of the best views of London for free. We’ve visited the Sky Garden & felt you’d be you’d be hard pressed to find a better view for free.

More information available within our Guide to the Sky Garden.

3. Climb the Monument

For a great view of London, why not take the 311 steps to the top of the Monument that was built to commemorate the 1666 Great Fire of London. With fantastic views from top over the River Thames & tickets very reasonable priced, it is well worth the climb. I’m a firm believer in working for your view so here’s a chance to enjoy a workout and be rewarded for your efforts!

Follow our Guide to the Monument; Practical Information & Tips.

4. Ben Big Tours

Having completed a recent £80m refurbishment, Big Ben is now open to the public to climb the 334 spiral steps & experience the clock tower and belfry up close and personal. Tickets are limited,  released in batches & are quickly snapped up so there’s an element of planning ahead with this guided tour but offers a unique experience within the heart of Westminster.  The the views over London from the belfry are spectacular and you’re in prime position as Big Ben chimes in the hour.

More information available over without our Guide to Big Ben Tours.

5. The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate

Be whisked off to the 50th floor to The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate to enjoy stunning views over London.  Take in sweeping views including iconic attractions such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral all from 254 metres above ground.  The great news with this attraction is that you can enjoy FREE entry but you will need apply for a complimentary ticket.  Whilst online tickets do sell out there are walk-in’s available but are subject to availability.

More details available within our Guide to The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate.

6. Tower Bridge Exhibition

A unique way to enjoy views over London is by visiting the iconic Tower Bridge, walking across high level walkways, directly above the River Thames.  A working bridge since 1894, you can take in sights of London such as the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, the Sky Garden, The Monument, BT Tower, The Shard & St Paul’s Cathedral.  Back in 2014, glass flooring was installed along the high-level walkways offering you the chance to stand, sit or lie suspended 42 metres above the River Thames & watch the world go by below your feet.

Alternatively, take a river-side stroll along the banks of the River Thames and coincide your walk with the lifting of the lower bridge on Tower Bridge. It takes around 10 minutes from start to finish and is quite a sight to behold.

More details available within our Guide to Tower Bridge Exhibition.

7. The Post Building Roof Terrace

This latest free roof terrace to open in London offers views over London spanning from the Houses of Parliament to the city of London to Wembley Stadium.  Based within the newly converted Post Building, here’s a chance to take in the sights for free but remember your photographic ID for this attraction.  Situated close to the British Museum and Covent Garden, this is a great way to plan in a stop gap to enjoy the view.

More details available within our Guide to The Post Building Roof Terrace.

The Lookout; 8 Bishopsgate

8. One New Change; Roof Terrace

You can pick up fantastic views of St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard & London’s skyline from the roof terrace of One New Change.  Take the glass lift up to the top of the viewing terrace & enjoy spectacular views out over neighbouring St Paul’s Cathedral.  Having recently re-opened following a period of redevelopment, it is worth noting that free entry options have been reduced with the introduction of entrance charges on selected days of the year. Enjoy London’s skyline from the viewing terrace or partake in a cocktail from the rooftop bar, the choice is yours.  We’ve popped along to try out the roof terrace and I have to say the views are impressive but hard to resist a cocktail.

9. Views of London from the Royal Observatory

Enjoy a trip to Greenwich to take in the views from the Royal Observatory that spans across the city of London taking in the River Thames, Canary Wharf & the O2 Arena.  The steep walk up to the Royal Observatory is worth the effort as you’ll be rewarded with fantastic free views from this vantage point.

You can also avoid entry charges for Meridian Courtyard by following our tips to Straddle the Meridian Line for Free!

10. Budget London; IFS Cloud Cable Cars

Running from Greenwich to the London Docks, the IFS Cloud Cable Cars offers a bird’s eye view over the River Thames. Reaching a height of 90 metres above the Thames, take in views of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Canary Wharf, City Hall & the O2 Arena.  This 1.1km journey across the river in a cable car takes around 10 minutes each way with tickets reasonably priced.

More information available within our Guide to the IFS Cloud Cable Cars.

One New Change

11. Budget London; Parliament Hill

Here’s a FREE way to enjoy fantastic views of the London skyline plus fly a kite at the same time.  The top of Parliament Hill stands 98 metres tall and offers excellent views of London that include St Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf & the City of London.  Located in the south east corner of Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill is also known as THE place to fly a kite as you can generally count on a good breeze.  Bring along your own kite to join the fun or just site back and enjoy the view.

12. Tate Modern; 10th Floor Viewing Gallery

Visit the 10th floor of Tate Modern, (Blavatnik Building) & access the Viewing Gallery to enjoy budget views over London. Whilst the exterior balcony remains closed to the public, you can still gain limited views across London from the glass fronted interior areas. The internal views are less substantial that you would find from the balcony but, for those in the area, it’s worth popping up to take a look. Entry to the Tate Modern & Viewing Tower remains free of charge although there is a small suggested donation to help cover costs.

More information available at Level 10 at Tate Modern.

13. The London Eye

If you’re planning a visit to the London Eye, then worth tracking down a cheap ticket offer or promotional voucher that helps save you money.  Follow our round-up of deals and discounts for this iconic attraction in London plus tips and tricks to get ahead of the queues.

FOLLOW OUR Cheap Ticket Guide to the London Eye.

The Post building Roof Terrace

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