Parliament Hill
The best free view in north London, a grassy summit on Hampstead Heath where the whole skyline lays itself out, protected by law so no building can ever block it.
The lowdown
Parliament Hill is the high southern shoulder of Hampstead Heath, and the climb up its grassy slope earns you one of the great free views of London. From the benches at the top the whole city spreads out below, the Shard, the City cluster, St Paul's, the towers of the West End, all in one sweep.
The view is so prized that it is protected by law. Certain sightlines from the hill to landmarks like St Paul's cannot be built across, so what you see is guaranteed to stay, a free panorama no developer can ever take away.
It is a working local hill rather than a tourist platform, busy with kite flyers, runners, dog walkers and couples watching the sun go down. On a clear evening half of north London seems to drift up here for free, and it beats any paid viewing deck in town.
The insider tip
The bit we only tell the people on the list. Join free and every insider tip unlocks on this device.
More like this
Get it in your inbox
One email a week with the best free things to do in London this weekend. Before everyone else finds them.