London truly is a beautiful city. But if you want to see the best of it you need to see it from above. Clarendon Serviced Apartments explores the best places to see the capital from on high.
1. Arcelormittal Orbit, close to Clarendon’s serviced apartments in Canary Wharf
This is Britain’s tallest sculpture and was the acclaimed landmark heralding the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park so it offers unrivalled views of London from the east. The Orbit stands at a staggering 376 feet and offers an observational platform in the heart of the Olympic Park in Stratford. When it’s a clear summer’s day the view stretches up to 20 miles so you can see parts of London you never knew existed. There are two main observation spots in the sculpture, one at 76 metres, the second at 80 metres.
2. Tate Modern restaurant
On the sixth floor of Tate Modern, close to Blackfriars, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Southbank, Tate Modern offers views across the River Thames. There’s nothing quite like having a delicious lunch while enjoying a beautiful view as well. At the restaurant the cuisine is British seasonal. During the week the restaurant is only open for lunch and a drinks menu. On the weekend a short dinner service runs from 6pm – 9.30pm. There’s no better way to spend your time though then enjoying a glass of red while looking out across the twinkling River Thames, however.
3. The London Eye
With 360 degree views of London from over 135 metres high you’d struggle to find better views that the ones from the top of the London Eye. It rotates at a steady 0.6mph so you have plenty of times to enjoy your vantage point and see all of the capital’s major landmarks, from Big Ben and Westminster to St Paul’s and the Shard. Book at night time for a spectacular vista. It costs around £30 to book a ticket and you can get them cheaper online. You can even enjoy a different experience with wine and tapas or a cocktail to make your visit more special.
4. The Shard
From a height of 800ft The Shard offers a panoramic view of London. You can see the whole capital from here. They’re so confident you’ll see everything that if you can’t see The London Eye, St Paul’s, The Gherkin, Tower Bridge and One Canada Square you’ll get a new ticket within the next three months. Buy a ticket to view from The Shard and you’ll also get deals for restaurants and bars in the London Bridge Quarter on the same day
5. From the top of the O2
You need to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy this one. A guided tour will take you to the stadium’s rooftop, a tensile fabric walkway that is suspended 53m above the ground. An observation platform at the summit allows you to take in 360 degree views before you head back to base. All the necessary safety equipment is provided. It might be £22 but for the views of the Thames, the Shard and the Thames barrier you’ll enjoy it’s worth it.
The next time you visit London don’t forget that enjoying the capital from above is one experience that will give you a real high. You can use Clarendon’s mobile app to find attractions on your doorstep or explore what’s on offer via our website. Make the most out of your stay with us by seeing London in a new light.