7 of the Best Free Rooftop Views in London
You don’t need to book a table at an expensive restaurant or spend dozens of pounds to see London from above.
The city, renowned for its gleaming glass skyscrapers, has designated a number of rooftop spaces as publicly accessible areas under planning requirements issued by the City of London Corporation.
Some rooftops require advance booking, while others are open to the public without restrictions. Al-arab In UK has rounded up seven of the best elevated spots in the heart of the British capital, drawing on specialist British travel websites including Time Out London, Yani Visits, Londonist and the official Visit London website.
1. Sky Garden – Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF: London’s highest public garden
Sky Garden tops the list of London’s best-known free viewpoints. It occupies the upper floors of 20 Fenchurch Street, locally known as the “Walkie Talkie” because of its distinctive curved shape.
Although entry is completely free, advance booking is mandatory and walk-ins are not permitted. Tickets are released online every Monday at 10am UK time, covering up to three weeks ahead, and typically sell out within a few hours, particularly for weekends.
Inside the glass dome, which houses tropical gardens, two restaurants and two bars, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of The Shard, the River Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral.
2. Horizon 22 – 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AJ: Europe’s highest free observation deck
Standing 254 metres above ground on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, London’s second-tallest skyscraper after The Shard, Horizon 22 offers free entry seven days a week.
Advance booking online is recommended, although the building management reserves a proportion of tickets each day for visitors without reservations, subject to sufficient capacity inside the viewing gallery, which can accommodate around 280 visitors at a time.
From this height, which is 10 metres higher than The Shard, visitors can take in a panoramic view of some of London’s most historic landmarks, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.
3. The Lookout – 8 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ: The less crowded alternative
Just a few steps from Horizon 22, The Lookout is located on the 50th floor of 8 Bishopsgate.
It offers a similar experience in terms of height and views, but tends to be relatively less crowded as it is newer and less well known among tourists.
Free tickets are released every other Monday through the building’s website, while limited walk-in access may also be available depending on demand.
Many visitors describe the venue as the “lesser-known sibling” of Sky Garden, despite the fact that it is actually higher.
4. The Terrace at One Leadenhall – 1 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 1AB: A view with no booking required
For those who prefer a more spontaneous visit without the restrictions of advance reservations, The Terrace at One Leadenhall, in the heart of the City of London, offers a free, open-air viewpoint with no booking required.
The terrace overlooks the surrounding skyscrapers, with The Shard clearly visible on the horizon. This makes it a convenient option for a quick break during a day out in the City or a lunchtime escape for office workers in the area.
5. The Garden at 120 – 120 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 5BA: The City of London’s largest public rooftop
Just a few metres from Sky Garden, The Garden at 120 offers a larger and more peaceful open space and is considered the largest public rooftop within the historic City of London.
Advance booking is not required for groups of 12 or fewer, although visitors must pass through security screening similar to airport procedures.
From 15 storeys above street level, visitors can enjoy views of landmarks including The Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie and The Shard, surrounded by carefully landscaped greenery that offers a sense of calm amid the bustle of the financial district.
6. One New Change – 1 New Change, London EC4M 9AF: A direct view of St Paul’s Cathedral
Located at the One New Change shopping centre directly opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, this rooftop offers an unobstructed view of the famous dome designed by architect Christopher Wren, along with side views of The Shard and the rest of London’s skyline.
The space is open to the public free of charge and does not require a reservation. It can be reached via the shopping centre’s internal lift, making it one of the easiest options in terms of access and logistics.
7. The Post Building – Museum Street, London WC1A 1PB: A lesser-known gem
Tucked away near Oxford Street and close to the British Museum, the rooftop at The Post Building is one of the capital’s less crowded elevated spots despite its central location.
No advance booking is required, and the rooftop features a genuine garden space away from the bustle of shoppers, with views stretching across the northern and central London skyline.
As it remains relatively unknown to many visitors, the rooftop offers a more private experience compared with some of the capital’s better-known destinations, such as Sky Garden and Horizon 22.
Practical tips before your visit
Most of these rooftops are located within commercial or office buildings, meaning visitors are subject to security screening on entry, similar to airport procedures. Large items of luggage may also be prohibited.
As London’s weather can be unpredictable, it is advisable to check the forecast before heading to exposed rooftop spaces such as The Garden at 120 or The Terrace at One Leadenhall.
Sunset is also one of the busiest times at venues that require reservations, so some visitors prefer to go early in the morning or around midday to avoid the crowds.
With a mix of open-access rooftops and venues that require advance planning, London remains one of the few cities where residents and visitors can enjoy spectacular views of its famous skyline from above without spending a single pound.
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