Horizon 22
europe's highest free view
The highest free viewing gallery in Europe, on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, two hundred and fifty metres up over the City. Book ahead and go up for nothing.
Free to visit · City of London · Liverpool Street · EC2N 4AJ
Opening: Open days vary · free timed slots, booked in advance
London has a few free high viewpoints now, but Horizon 22 is the king of them. At two hundred and fifty four metres up on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, it is the highest free viewing gallery in Europe, higher than the paid platforms at the Shard and the rest, and it costs nothing.
The whole floor is given over to the view, floor-to-ceiling glass looking down on the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie and the Cheesegrater below you, the river snaking off towards Canary Wharf and the whole sprawl of London laid out flat. On a clear day you can see for miles.
The catch is you have to plan. It is free but you need to book a timed slot in advance, and they are released in batches that get snapped up quickly, so it pays to be ready when they drop rather than turning up on spec.
Getting there: 22 Bishopsgate in the City, a couple of minutes from Liverpool Street or Bank.
Best time to go: Book the late-afternoon slots for sunset over the city. Slots are released in batches, often on a Monday, and go fast.
Insider tip: Book the moment slots are released, usually in a weekly batch, because the free tickets go in minutes. Aim for a slot about an hour before sunset so you get the city in daylight, the golden hour and the lights coming on, all in one visit.
Official site: https://horizon22.co.uk
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide