5 Unforgettable Views of London

A view from above without the high ticket price

Admission for a family to The Shard's 72nd floor viewing platform is steep — unless you go when they offer 'kids go free' specials. Here are some other options:

Aqua Shard (London) — Breakfast is served on the 31st floor until 10:30 weekdays and 10 am weekends (when brunch available until 3:30 pm). Tables of two can be seated by the floor to ceiling windows. For a real treat, add a morning cocktail to the reasonably priced breakfast.
www.aquashard.co.uk ✆ +44 2030 111256
Level 31 The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY

The Monument (London) — If you aren’t a UK resident to climb Big Ben or don’t want to shell out the cash to go up The Shard, The Monument to the Great Fire of London is a perfect alternative. Tower Bridge offers a joint ticket to climb The Monument, the world’s tallest column for £11/adult and £5/child under 16 (to climb the monument itself is just £4/adult and £2/child). You’ll climb 311 spiral steps to enjoy views of the city and given a certificate as a memento of your ascent.
www.themonument ✆ +44 2076 262717
Monument Street, London EC3R 8AH

St. Paul's Cathedral (London) — There are two options of good views from and of St. Paul's Cathedral. Climb 528 steps up to the Golden Gallery for breathtaking panoramic views Shakespeare Globe, Tate Modern and the Thames. Also, closeby you can take lift* to the terrace of One New Change retail and restaurant building. Here you have a chance to enjoy a stunning unobstructed view of St. Paul's Cathedral from 6 am - midnight at no charge.
www.stpauls.co.uk ✆ +44 2072 468350
The Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD

Sky Garden (Multiple) — Open last year, there is no admission fee, but you have to pre-book a time to visit. City Garden Bar and Sky Pod Bar are both located on the 35th floor with seating available at scattered chairs and coaches. Book Darwin Brasserie restaurant on the 36th floor for a reasonably priced breakfast. Small parties of 2-3 work best so you can request a table in the corner with the best view. Fenchurch on the 37th floor is open for lunch and dinner and serves both an ala carte and tasting menus with wine pairings.
www.skygarden.london

Tower Bridge (London) — Visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition, seeing the engine rooms and taking in panoramic views above the River Thames towards the East and West of the Thames are great ways to explore the most famous bridge in the world. To make it truly memorable, plan your visit to coincide with the Bridge lift times.
www.towerbridge.org.uk ✆ +44 2074 033761
Tower Bridge, London SE1 2AA

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App