The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate
a free skyscraper view, if you book
A free 50th-floor viewing gallery in the City, with sweeping window views over London, bookable in advance.
Free to visit · City of London · Liverpool Street · EC2N 4BQ
Opening: Select days · free timed booking
One of the City's newest skyscrapers hides a generous secret, a free public viewing gallery called The Lookout on its fiftieth floor. Floor-to-ceiling windows give sweeping views across the cluster of City towers, out to the river, St Paul's, the Shard and far beyond, all without spending a penny.
Like several of London's free high viewpoints it works by timed booking to keep numbers comfortable, so you need to reserve a slot in advance. Quieter and less known than some of its rivals, it is a brilliant free alternative for a high-up London view, especially as the sun goes down over the skyline.
Getting there: At 8 Bishopsgate in the City, a couple of minutes from Liverpool Street and Bank.
Best time to go: A clear day, booked ahead, ideally near sunset for the light over the city.
Insider tip: Book a free timed slot online well ahead, as they are released in batches and go quickly. Aim for late afternoon so you catch both daylight and the city lights coming on, and pair it with the free Sky Garden or Horizon 22 nearby.
Official site: https://www.8bishopsgate.com
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide