8 Unusual London Skyline Views Off the Beaten Track
There’s no shortage of ways to appreciate the London Skyline. With plenty of rooftop bars and viewing platforms it’s never been easier to get up high in London.
But instead of the usual St Paul’s, Tate Modern, View from the Shard, Sky Garden and – new kid on the block – Garden at Fen Court, I thought I’d share some of my favourite London skyline views off the beaten track.
1. Trinity Buoy Wharf
Catch the DLR (a lovely London viewing experience in itself!) to East India or Canning Town and after a short walk you arrive at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
It was built in the early 1800s as a wharf to keep buoys and sea marks but today it’s home to an eclectic bunch of containers that house a parkour gym and London’s only lighthouse. Find out more here.
2. The Garden Museum
The museum re-opened in 2017 and it’s worth a visit (if only to climb the 14th Century tower!)
Read my post about the museum here.
3. Butler’s Wharf
Ok, perhaps not exactly ‘unusual’ but it’s definitely worth the extra step count to keep going past Tower Bridge and looking back. Even if you hate the Walkie Talkie, it’s still a lovely view.
4. Shadwell Station
The DLR strikes again, this time with a view from the platform at Shadwell. Especially as the sun is going down, this view enlivens even the worst commute.
5. Westminster Cathedral
With a 360° across West London, it’s definitely worth paying the extra £6 (plus, there’s a lift!) Find out more about visiting the Tower Gallery here.
6. Westferry Circus
Another Docklands spot, often the addition of the Thames just makes the view that much better…
7. Cally Park Clock Tower
It was only two weeks ago that I first discovered this North London gem. Islington Council are currently running free tours which you can find out more about here.
8. Severndroog Castle
A bit far out, sure. But the 18th century Gothic Castle can be reached in under an hour from the centre of London (which we all know, of course is the Charles I statue in Trafalgar Square!)
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Have you got a favourite unusual London viewpoint? Let me know in the comments!
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Michele Taylor-Boocock
Have you been to One Tree Hill? It’s in Peckham, at the Nunhead/Brockley/Honour Oak end and near to Brenchley Gardens Cemetery. The views are amazing and its beautiful in the spring when the bluebells are out 🙂
Katie Wignall
That sounds fabulous! I do love the view from Nunhead Cemetery, especially of St Paul’s. I wrote a post about it here;
https://lookup.london/nunhead-cemetery/
The One Tree Hill sounds amazing, I’ll have to visit, thank you!
Nick Harrison
Coq d’argent – No1 Poultry, especially at night. Then there is 55 Broadway. And from the Thames itself (so many !)
Katie Wignall
Ooh yes! Might just dig out my pictures of No.1 Poultry and add it 🙂 Also yes, the Thames Path is full of amazing vistas!
Andy Pringle
I like the really long-distance views you get of the city as you drive down the M11 from the M25 towards the North Circular. At one point, the buildings of Canary Wharf are silhouetted against the skyline, shimmering in the haze – like some sort of far-off promised land.
But the best view I ever had of London was flying into Heathrow on a clear Diwali night – flying over the firework displays was magical. Once I’d convinced myself we weren’t being shot at, that is!
Andy D
The view from One Tree Hill is a great all around view. Worth the climb up there.
Hi Michele (Peckham 1982).
Rob
The view from the Shard’s observation deck is quite spectacular.
Katie Wignall
it is indeed! Thought it didn’t quite count as ‘off the beaten track’ though!