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Name me biased however I believe London’s skyline is one among my favourites of cities world-wide: from the eye-catching trendy skyscrapers to historic and iconic structure, you’re additionally spoiled for selection if you wish to get pleasure from these views in London with children.
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Between the pure viewpoints in London, together with among the highest hills, to points of interest just like the London Eye, Sky Backyard and View from the Shard, in addition to free views of London, there’s one thing for each funds too.
So whichever facet of the town you’re visiting, and whether or not you’re reserving forward or planning a spontaneous go to, take a look at my 19 high picks for one of the best views in London with children.
The London Eye
One of many iconic sights of the town, the London Eye might be one of the best recognized place to get a chicken’s eye view of the capital (though actually not the one choice!)
And there’s a great cause for it… Turning excessive above the South Financial institution and looking throughout the Thames, you will get some spectacular panoramas.
It’s finest for good climate – unsurprisingly – however chilly sunny winter days can provide some gorgeously clear views. Or time your ‘flight’ for sundown and watch the lights twinkling on throughout London.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with reductions should you purchase your tickets on-line upfront. There are additionally fast-track tickets obtainable to skip the queues, which is right with children, particularly in peak season.
Hold a watch out for Horizon 22, London’s highest free viewing platform, 254 metres up, which opens on September 27, 2023 at 22 Bishopsgate
Royal Observatory in Greenwich
Greenwich Park stretches for 183 acres so it’s a beautiful place to go to at any time, however head up the hill to the place the Royal Observatory is about and also you’ll discover one of many free finest views in London with children.
Contained in the oldest enclosed royal park, the place it’s also possible to hop throughout the meridian line, you may look out throughout the Royal Naval faculty to the Thames past, and out to the London Docklands.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Greenwich with children, take a look at my high ideas
Sky Backyard
London’s highest public backyard, the Sky Backyard is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most uncommon viewpoints – and among the finest free views in London with children.
Set within the skyscraper often known as the Walkie Talkie, the terraces are crammed with Mediterranean and South African crops, so it feels such as you’re removed from the town under – which you will get an incredible 360-degree view of by means of the home windows.
Tickets are free however it’s a must to e book upfront (and adults want ID to enter), with tickets promoting out shortly for weekends and faculty holidays.
Tickets are launched three weeks upfront: it’s also possible to e book tables on the two eating places as a substitute technique to go to (though clearly it’s not then free).
For extra concepts on how to economize on days out in London with children, take a look at my high ideas
Backyard at 120 (120 Fenchurch St)
Backyard at 120 is without doubt one of the latest viewpoints in London and one thing of a rival to the Sky Backyard, with its personal views of close by skyscrapers together with the Gherkin and the Walkie Talkie itself.
Positioned on the highest flooring of 120 Fenchurch Avenue, a couple of minutes from Leadenhall Market, the carry takes you as much as the most important public rooftop house within the Metropolis of London.
The free-to-enter roof backyard has rows of manicured hedges, stunning wildflowers, water options, and a wisteria-covered pergola: excellent for a sunny day within the metropolis.
One New Change
On the massive procuring centre of One New Change in the midst of the Metropolis of London, bypass the busy retailers and head as much as the complicated’s rooftop for among the finest views over the capital.
The fashionable rooftop terrace has a view of St Paul’s Cathedral that’s so shut it nearly seems like you can attain out and contact it.
The general public terrace is open seven days every week and is free to go to. You’ll additionally discover Madison’s Restaurant and Bar on the rooftop, however no youngsters are allowed in on Saturdays and solely till 3pm on different days – should you do need to go to, you’ll must e book upfront to get a great desk.
The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate
One of many latest viewpoints in London, The Lookout is about on the fiftieth flooring of 8 Bishopsgate for some spectacular views over the Metropolis from the viewing gallery.
It’s additionally free to go to however finest to prebook – particularly so quickly after its opening because it’s unsurprisingly standard. Stroll-ins could also be admitted relying on the day’s availability although.
On the plus facet, not like the Sky Backyard, you may e book months upfront. Tickets are legitimate for 45 minutes, with timed entrance slots each quarter-hour.
The Monument
The Monument to the Nice Hearth of London stands 202 toes excessive, and 202 toes from the spot the place the hearth began on Pudding Lane – should you laid it down, it might attain proper to the positioning of the bakery.
Sitting on the junction of Monument Avenue and Fish Avenue Hill, it was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1677, with new gold leaf added to the flaming orb on the high throughout restorations in 2009.
Nevertheless it’s not only a great place to go to with children studying concerning the Nice Hearth, it’s also possible to climb the 311 steps to the gallery on the high to look out throughout the town, with 360 diploma views.
There’s a free certificates for many who make it to the highest too. Tickets price £6 for adults, half-price for youths.
For extra areas linked to the Nice Hearth of London, and a scavenger hunt for youths to comply with, take a look at my Nice Hearth of London stroll
Viewing Degree Tate Fashionable
Climb to the highest of the Tate Fashionable’s Blavatnik Constructing for extra spectacular 360-degree views of London with children.
The free open viewing terrace sits proper within the coronary heart of the town, so gives shut up views of well-known landmarks together with St Paul’s Cathedral, situated simply throughout the river, the Shard, and the towering skyscrapers of the Metropolis of London.
When you’re completed on the terrace, have a look round at among the gallery’s implausible art work or the Tate Fashionable restaurant has its personal breathtaking views. You possibly can even stroll alongside the South Financial institution and evaluate it with the Queen Elizabeth Corridor Roof Backyard round quarter-hour away – scroll down for particulars.
Queen Elizabeth Corridor Roof Backyard at Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Corridor Roof Backyard on the Southbank Centre may not be one of many highest viewpoints in London, however this hidden gem does have its personal particular views over the town.
The distinctive rooftop backyard oasis has a lush garden so that you can sit on and is crammed with vibrant fruit bushes and wildflowers.
There’s additionally a restaurant the place you may seize drinks and home made pastries to get pleasure from whereas taking within the views over the River Thames and the bustling metropolis past. The backyard is open Thursday to Sunday and is totally free to go to.
Parliament Hill
As the best level within the capital (at 98 metres excessive), Parliament Hill is dwelling to among the finest free views of London, trying throughout to St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin and the Homes of Parliament.
A part of the general public parkland within the nook of Hampstead Heath in northwest London, it’s a preferred spot for locals to carry a picnic and watch the sundown over the town skyline.
Or should you’re visiting in the course of the day, you’ll additionally discover Parliament Hill Fields Lido and an journey playground close by to entertain the little ones.
There are many bus routes stopping close to Parliament Hill, in addition to parking close to the Heath. In any other case Hampstead and Tufnell Park tube stations are closest, in addition to Gospel Oak station.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is one other excellent spot to seek out superb free views of London, and whereas it’s a bit decrease than Parliament Hill, it’s nonetheless nearly 63 metres above sea stage and nearer to central London.
One of many six protected viewpoints in London, the place the bushes are stored low in order to not obscure the view, the hilltop park sits to the north of Regent’s Park and is near the upmarket London neighbourhood of Primrose Hill, recognized for its grand Victorian townhouses.
From the summit, you may absorb some implausible 360 diploma views over the town; to the south is a transparent view of the long-lasting landmarks of central London, whereas to the north you may see over the neighbourhoods of Hampstead and Belsize Park.
It’s a brief stroll from London Zoo, or round 20 minutes from Camden City tube station.
For extra issues to do in Camden with children, take a look at my high picks
Kew Gardens: treetop cover stroll
You may not anticipate to have nice views from Kew Gardens, however head as much as its treetop cover stroll and on a transparent day, you may see so far as the Docklands.
The treetop stroll is about 18m above the bottom, so there are additionally some beautiful views of the Royal Botanic Gardens themselves, however head to the facet furthest from the steps and peer by means of the bushes to identify the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
Finest when there aren’t too many leaves on the bushes although. The treetop stroll is included in tickets to Kew Gardens, and the excessive sides imply it’s protected sufficient for toddlers too.
At current, the carry is being changed, so the one entry is by way of the stairway.
For extra tips about visiting Kew Gardens with children, take a look at my high recommendation
IFS Cloud Cable automotive
If standing and views doesn’t sound entertaining, households can get pleasure from London from the sky with a journey on the IFS Cloud cable automotive.
The cable automotive travels between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, with distinctive aerial views over the Thames and the London Skyline.
Throughout the day, the journey takes round 10 minutes every means, plus there are additionally prolonged evening flights after 7pm the place you may watch the town come alive after darkish.
You should utilize your contactless card or Oyster Card to board the cable automotive, or purchase a ticket on the ticket workplace once you arrive. It’s a little means from London’s different household points of interest, so finest mixed with visits to the O2 or Greenwich.
Tower Bridge
One of the crucial iconic photographs of London, folks flock to take images of Tower Bridge – however not everybody is aware of that it has its personal nice views should you head inside.
Head into the Tower Bridge Exhibition and you may cross its high-level walkways and expertise views down over the bridge and River Thames by means of its glass flooring. One for the courageous!
To ensure entry, you’ll need to purchase tickets upfront. There are sometimes household actions and it’s nice to discover if you’d like extra than simply nice views of London with children.
Up on the O2
One other of one of the best views in London with children who get pleasure from one thing a little bit extra adventurous is from the rooftop of the O2 Space in Greenwich.
Up on the O2 is a singular London expertise that allows you to climb over one of many metropolis’s most iconic buildings.
With the assistance {of professional} guides and tools, you’ll enterprise 52 metres above floor on a structured walkway to succeed in the roof summit. From right here, you’ll be greeted with views over the Greenwich Peninsula, the Olympic Park, and Canary Wharf.
The expertise is appropriate for youths aged 8+, and it is advisable to e book tickets and a time slot upfront.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s is a outstanding characteristic within the London skyline from so many viewpoints, nevertheless it’s additionally an incredible spot from which to look again over central London.
On a go to to the cathedral, you may climb up 378 steps to the Stone Gallery or 528 stairs to the Golden Gallery, sitting on the high of the dome.
From each spots, you’ll be handled to implausible panoramic views throughout London, and every gallery is included with the common admission ticket to the cathedral.
View from the Shard
The View from the Shard is without doubt one of the costlier London viewpoints, nevertheless it’s additionally deservedly probably the most memorable.
The big viewing platform sits on flooring 68 and 69 of London’s tallest constructing, a whopping 310m above the bottom, making it London’s highest viewpoint.
The 360 diploma view over the capital enables you to see for as much as 40 miles on a transparent day, and The View from the Shard is the one place the place you may actually see the entire metropolis without delay.
There’s additionally an Open-Air Skydeck on flooring 72 so you may really feel nearly as should you’re floating within the air above London. Click on right here to e book tickets.
Elevate 109 at Battersea Energy Station
One of many latest viewpoints in London, you’ll get a barely totally different probability to look out throughout the river from the south financial institution at Battersea Energy Station.
Elevate 109 whisks you 109 metres from the Artwork Deco turbine corridor to the highest of the north-west chimney – one of many 4 well-known white chimneys on the long-lasting construction, which as soon as generated one fifth of the town’s energy.
The glass elevator results in a transparent enclosed construction, so there are 360-degree views out over the Thames and the London skyline. Permit round 45 minutes for the expertise, together with the interactive exhibition in the beginning: tickets are for 10-minute timed slots
Grownup tickets price from £15.90 together with the reserving price, youngsters aged 3-15 from £11.50. Infants and toddlers below three are free, though buggies/pushchairs should be left on the base of the carry.
Alexandra Palace
A little bit additional out than different viewpoints on this checklist, Alexandra Palace is a grand Victorian leisure venue set in 196 acres of parkland in north London – and amongst its many household points of interest are some gorgeous views of the town skyline within the distance.
The park additionally has pitch and putt, pedalos and rowing boats on the boating lake, tree-top adventures at Go Ape, ice skating, and occasional festivals all year long, making it an incredible time out for all of the household.
King Henry’s Mound in Richmond Park
In Richmond Park, London’s largest royal park, there’s one other of the town’s protected viewpoints, with nothing allowed to be constructed within the sightline.
Climb King Henry’s Mound and you may look throughout in the direction of St Paul’s Cathedral greater than 10 miles away, with a telescope to assist take advantage of the expertise.
Legend has it that King Henry VIII waited right here for the sign that Anne Boleyn had been executed and that he was free to marry once more – nearly actually not true, although it’s a great story.
The hill itself is definitely a prehistoric burial chamber from the Bronze Age and later used as a viewpoint for looking. The much-married king did usually hunt within the parkland although and will nicely have loved the views himself.
For extra viewpoints with royal hyperlinks, head to south east London and One Tree Hill in Honor Oak – Elizabeth I is alleged to have rested and picnicked below the Oak of Honour right here (a historic boundary marker). She wouldn’t recognise the skyline however the views are nonetheless spectacular: it’s straightforward to mix with a go to to the Horniman Museum too
Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photographs: Greenwich/Kew/St Pauls copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy of Depositphotos
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