Where To Find London’s Best Views

As far as London is concerned, you don't get a feel for just how vast or old this city is until you look at it from a near bird's eye view.

Imagine standing on an observation deck, staring out at one of the greatest capital cities in the world, packed full of centuries of history and people from all walks of life.

Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to do just that. Forget the London Eye, which is both dull and overpriced.

Whether you're just passing through and need to use London luggage storage or are in town for a while, here are some of the city's best views for a range of budgets.

London's Top Views

The Shard

I see the irony in dissing the London Eye only to move on to the equally expensive Shard, but hear me out.

The Shard is a 95-storey skyscraper with the honor of being the tallest building in both London and the European Union. The tower has a privately run observation deck called the View from the Shard.

Tickets aren't cheap. At the time of writing, they are priced at $43.75 (£30.95) per adult (for an extra $14, you get champagne!) and $112.95 (£79.95) for families.

I like the Shard because the view is genuinely impressive, and the lines tend to be shorter than those at the London Eye. That and you can stay and leave at your leisure.

If the View from the Shard is a must-do, try to time your visit for either sunrise or sunset. Sunsets over London are among the most beautiful things I've witnessed during my years on this earth.

The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch St.

Did you blanch at the price of the View of the Shard? I can't say I blame you if you did. Luckily, there's a cheaper alternative that you can choose to visit – just across the River Thames.

The Sky Garden is precisely what the name suggests – a garden in the sky on the 35th story of 20 Fenchurch St., colloquially known as the “Walkie-Talkie.” Bookings in advance are essential, which can be done via their website.

Admittedly, I'd feel jipped if I had to pay to get into the Sky Garden. But, for zero dollars/pounds, it offers, in my opinion, superior views to the Shard for one particular reason.

I, among many others, regard The Walkie-Talkie as a blip on London's skyline. There is something about that building that just isn't aesthetically pleasing.

The Sky Garden website suggests “uninterrupted views of the city.” I can only imagine this is the case, as The Walkie-Talkie isn't in it. This isn't the first time I've made that joke, and it won't be the last.

Dine at Duck and Waffle

Duck and Waffle is a restaurant located within Heron Tower, another of London's skyscrapers that unfortunately doesn't have a nickname.

There are two remarkable things to note about this particular establishment. Not only is it the highest restaurant in the UK, but it's open 24/7.

You can feast on their signature dish and many others at any time of the day or night – from early afternoon to 4 in the morning.

As you can imagine, Duck and Waffle is a popular place to eat out, so making a reservation in advance would be in your best interest.

The Monument

Although London's skyscrapers are impressive, they are a testament to the city's most recent history.

Let's take a step back in time and imagine how London would have looked to visitors and residents alike in times past.

The Monument was erected in 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London, near where it began.

Those who know anything about London's history will know of the fire that wiped out some 436 acres of the city, including St. Paul's Cathedral.

So, although the city itself sometimes seems as old as the ages, much of what we're looking at is less than four centuries old.

Although the Monument is now dwarfed by the skyscrapers surrounding it, it's still worth a visit – if not for the view, then for the history of the building itself.

Tickets cost $ 5.65 (£4), and you can count the 300-odd stairs to the top as part of your daily exercise.

Pagoda at Kew Gardens

The Pagoda at Kew Gardens was constructed in 1762. At the time, Londoners were fascinated with all things Eastern, and the building remains a testament to the Chinoiserie craze sweeping the city.

The original building boasted 80 dragons carved from wood and gilded with gold. According to the Kew Gardens website, the dragons disappeared in the 1780s.

They were rumored to have been sold to pay off the Prince Regent's debt, but it's thought they rotted away over time.

The Pagoda has undergone renovations for two years. In 2018, it reopened to the public, giving visitors the chance to experience a bird-eye view from the perspective of Georgian London.

In the interim, the Pagoda can be seen from the Kew Gardens, which are worth a visit.

Waterloo Bridge

Here's a chance to witness the best of London while keeping your feet firmly on the ground.

While Waterloo Bridge is probably one of the duller structures spanning the Thames – it offers the best views, no matter which side of the bridge you're gazing out from.

So, take your camera and brave the crowds to see firsthand the many famous icons that make up London's international identity.

Greenwich Park

For a different perspective, head straight to Greenwich Park. If you walk up to the top of the hill where the Royal Observatory is located, you'll be rewarded in two ways.

You'll be able to observe the line that represents Greenwich Mean Time in the flesh. You'll then be able to gaze out across the park and Greenwich University to the glittering building of Canary Wharf in the distance.

From there, you can visit the planetarium, wander the streets of this historic village, or go full British and picnic in the park.

To my eternal disappointment, it has rained every time I've been to Greenwich Park, but I'm sure it would be quite the sight to behold on a sunny day.

There are plenty of ways to see London, for all different budgets, without spending the best years of your life waiting in line at the London Eye.