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Looking Down on London |
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london-footprints.co.uk |
London is a large but distinctive city so there is much to be gained by viewing it from above. The ideas on this page are grouped into three categories: freeview, reasonably priced and expensive. All the places listed are generally open to the public. There are lots of others available if you have friends in high places (excuse pun!). Unfortunately threats of terrorism have closed many venues. If you know of any good vantage points I haven't included I would be interested to hear about them. Please use my Guestbook.
Tip: when visiting
'lookouts' you will probably want to take your camera and
binoculars are useful.
If you are not familiar with London it is helpful to have a map
of the area you are viewing.
FREEVIEW
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The OXO
TOWER has viewing galleries on the 8th floor (accessed by
lift). [website] There is a public terrace (also a restaurant) on the 6th floor of One New Change shopping centre with views over the city and across to St Paul's Cathedral. [webpage] |
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There are good views from the upper floors of TATE MODERN which is open daily with late nights (until 10pm) on Fridays and Saturdays. Tel 020 7887 8008. [website]
Look down on Covent Garden from the upper terrace of the Royal Opera House (also gives a view of the costume making workshops). Open to the public 10am - 3:30pm Monday - Saturday. Tel 020 7304 4000. [website]
London can be viewed from vantage points away from the centre. To the south try Point Hill in SE3 and One Tree Hill & Wolfe's statue (by the Obsevatory) in Greenwich Park. To the north try Primrose Hill or Hampstead & Highgate. To view Docklands climb Stave Hill (an artificial mound with steps) at Surrey Docks.
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Google maps
enable you to view London from above and as street view [website] View London from space (at night) on the NASA website. |
REASONABLY PRICED
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One of
London's most popular attractions is the EDF LONDON EYE.
Glass capsules on the 450' high wheel rotate slowly to
give splendid views. Tickets are bookable but you chance
the weather or turn up on a clear day. Open daily but
closed for maintenance in January. Tel 0870 500 0600. [website] The MONUMENT (202') has a viewing gallery, enclosed after it became popular with suicides, but you have to climb 311 steps to reach it! Open daily. Tel 020 7626 2717. There is a webcam both on site and online. [website] WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL however has a lift to its 284' bell tower. Open daily. [website] |
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The Golden
Gallery of ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL overlooks the city and is
included in the Cathedral admission. Tel 020 7246 8348. [website] The walkways of TOWER BRIDGE give views up and down stream and are included in admission. Open daily. Tel 0845 166 4377. [website] WELLINGTON ARCH, in the care of English Heritage (check opening times) has a 82' high viewing platform. Admission charge for non-members. Tel 020 7930 2726. [website] |
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The MUSEUM IN DOCKLANDS has the Rhinebeck Panorama - an 80' long watercolour showing London from above in the early years of the 19th century. [website]
Travel on the upper deck of a bus or ride the Docklands Light Railway to look down on the streets/docklands. Check out the Transport for London website for details.
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For
armchair study Jason Hawkes has produced a number of books featuring aerial photos of London. London From the Air Check out the Amazon website for details |
EXPENSIVE
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Dine in one
of the elevated restaurants TOWER 42 (former Nat West Tower) has a champagne bar [website] and Gary Rhodes restaurant [website] The OXO TOWER has a Harvey Nichols restaurant [website] NO 1 POULTRY offers French cooking at Coq D' Argent [website] |
© london-footprints.co.uk 2011
