My Top 5 Free Rooftop Locations to Photograph London in 2026
I first shared My Top 5 Free Rooftop Locations to Photograph London way back in 2020, and it’s been exciting to see how these spots continue to inspire photographers and visitors alike. Since then, the city has evolved, with new observation decks like Horizon 22 opening, offering higher, free-to-enter viewpoints and fresh perspectives on the skyline.
This updated 2026 guide is written specifically for photographers. Whether you’re capturing wide panoramas, architectural details, or dramatic sunset light, you’ll find practical advice to help plan your visit. For each rooftop, I’ve included booking requirements, tripod rules, opening times, and travel information, so you can make the most of your time above London and come away with stunning images of the city.
A quick note: the information in this guide is sourced directly from the official websites of each location and is accurate at the time of publishing. Opening hours, booking procedures, and other details may change, so I recommend checking with the venue before finalising your plans.
Timeless City Edition
For this updated guide, I’ve chosen photos from my black-and-white Timeless City project. To learn more about this project, visit the main project page here.
Quick Comparison of the Free London Rooftop Locations Featured
Before diving into the details of each location, here’s a handy comparison table showing the key information photographers need to know at a glance.
| Location | Closest Tube Station(s) | Booking Needed | Height / Floor Level | Tripods Allowed | Indoor / Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Garden | Monument / Tower Hill | Yes | 34 | No | Indoor / Open-air terrace |
| The Garden at 120 | Monument / Tower Hill | No | 15 | Yes | Outdoor |
| Horizon 22 | Liverpool St / Bank / Moorgate / Monument | Yes | 58 | No | Indoor |
| Tate Modern | Southwark / Blackfriars / St Paul's | No | 10 | No | Indoor / Open-air terrace |
| One New Change | St Paul's / Bank / Mansion House | No | 6 | No | Outdoor |
#1 Sky Garden
First up is the Sky Garden, one of my favourite places to photograph London’s rooftops. Perched above the city inside the iconic “Walkie Talkie” building, this viewing platform delivers one of the most complete 360° skyline views in the capital. From the 34th floor, you can enjoy a drink at one of two bars, book a sit-down meal at one of three resturants or simply book a free ticket and take in the spectacular views. This is one of the most popular elevated viewpoints in London, and for good reason, so be sure to book your tickets as soon as they are released.
Information for photographers visiting the Sky Garden
| Opening Hours |
Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm | Saturday – Sunday & Bank Holidays: 11am – 9pm Bar and restaurant hours may differ. Check the official Sky Garden website for current details |
| Closest Tube Station(s) | Monument (Circle & District) / Tower Hill (Circle & District) |
| Google Map Location | Click here to open Google Maps |
| Booking Required? | Yes |
| Ticket Release Schedule | Free tickets are released every Monday morning (excluding bank holidays), three weeks in advance, covering the following week |
| Booking / Website Details | Click here to visit the venue's website |
| Height / Floor Level | Level 34 |
| Tripods Allowed? | No |
| Tripod Information | Tripods may be carried into Sky Garden, but their use is strictly prohibited. Security staff actively monitor the space and will intervene if tripods are set up |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Sky Garden is primarily an indoor venue, but it also features an outdoor terrace. Access can occasionally be weather-dependent, but when open, the terrace provides uninterrupted views toward the Thames and the surrounding City skyline |
| View Direction | 360-degree views across London |
#2 The Garden at 120
Open to the elements, The Garden at 120 may not be as high as some of the other locations on this list, but the views are no less spectacular. It offers one of the most accessible free rooftop viewpoints in London. With no advance booking needed, this location is truly fuss-free, often with short queues and plenty of space to find the best spots for photographing the surrounding buildings.
Information for photographers visiting the Garden at 120
| Opening Hours |
The Garden at 120 will be closed on Bank Holidays 1 April – 30 September: Monday to Friday 10:00 – 21:00, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 1 October – 31 March: Monday to Friday 10:00 – 18:30, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Closest Tube Station(s) | Monument (Circle & District) / Tower Hill (Circle & District) |
| Google Map Location | Click here to open Google Maps |
| Booking Required? | No |
| Booking / Website Details | Click here to visit the venue's website |
| Height / Floor Level | Level 15 |
| Tripods Allowed? | No |
| Tripod Information | Officially, tripods are not permitted at The Garden at 120. In my experience, I have used one on every visit without any problems. The staff appear relaxed about their use as long as the photographer is sensible and keeps out of the way of other visitors. Be aware that this informal approach may change at any time |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Outdoor. There is no cover, so come prepared with raincoats or umbrellas |
| View Direction | 360-degree views across London |
#3 Horizon 22
As the highest free public viewing platform in the city, Horizon 22 offers a dramatic, almost aerial perspective over London. Located on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, it presents sweeping views of some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks — from Tower Bridge and the Tower of London to St Paul’s Cathedral, and directly south toward the Walkie Talkie building and The Shard. This is a fantastic location to capture some truly unique views of London.
Information for photographers visiting Horizon 22
| Opening Hours | Weekdays 10:00 - 18:00 Saturdays 10:00 - 17:00 Sundays 10:00 - 16:00 |
| Closest Tube Station(s) | Monument (Circle & District) / Bank (Central, DLR, Northern, Waterloo & City) Liverpool Street (Elizabeth line, London Overground, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) Moorgate (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern) |
| Google Map Location | Click here to open Google Maps |
| Booking Required? | Yes |
| Ticket Release Schedule | Tickets are released every Monday for the following 14 days |
| Booking / Website Details | Click here to visit the venue's website |
| Height / Floor Level | Level 58 |
| Tripods Allowed? | No |
| Tripod Information | Tripods are not permitted on the viewing level and may be held by security upon entry. Any retained items can be collected when exiting |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Indoor |
| View Direction | Primarily south, east, and west-facing views |
#4 Tate Modern
Unlike the towering viewpoints found in the City, the viewing level at Tate Modern offers a different kind of rooftop experience. Located on the 10th floor of the Blavatnik Building, just beyond the main Turbine Hall, it provides a fantastic view of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City’s highrises across the Thames.
Information for photographers visiting Level 10 at Tate Modern
| Opening Hours | Sunday to Thursday 10:00 - 18:00 Friday to Saturday 10:00 - 21:00 |
| Closest Tube Station(s) | Southwark (Jubilee) / Blackfriars (Circle & District) St Paul's (Central) |
| Google Map Location | Click here to open Google Maps |
| Booking Required? | No |
| Booking / Website Details | Click here to visit the venue's website |
| Height / Floor Level | Level 10 |
| Tripods Allowed? | No |
| Tripod Information | Tripods may be brought into the venue, but security will likely remind you that they must not be used on the viewing level |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Indoor area with seating, plus a covered outdoor terrace for photography |
| View Direction | 360-degree views across London, with the most interesting perspectives to the north, east, and west |
#5 One New Change
Another of the fuss-free rooftop locations is here at One New Change. Located above a shopping centre, this six-storey-high viewing level may not be the tallest, but it offers an unrivalled close-up view of St Paul’s Cathedral. With no booking required and generally easy access, it’s a convenient spot for quick visits or capturing the changing light at sunset. The open-air terrace also means you can shoot freely without glass or barriers in the way, making it a surprisingly versatile location despite its modest height.
Information for photographers visiting One New Change
| Opening Hours | Monday to Sunday 06:00 - 00:00 |
| Closest Tube Station(s) | St Paul's (Central) / Mansion House (Circle & District) |
| Google Map Location | Click here to open Google Maps |
| Booking Required? | No |
| Booking / Website Details | Click here to visit the venue's website |
| Height / Floor Level | Level 6 |
| Tripods Allowed? | No |
| Tripod Information | There is no formal security scanning process, so tripods can be carried up to the terrace, but their use is not permitted during your visit |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Outdoor |
| View Direction | The main view looks west towards St Paul’s Cathedral, with partially restricted views to the south |
A Notable mention - The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate
While not included in my top five, the lookout at 8 Bishopsgate is still worth a mention for photographers looking for a high vantage point in the City. Its views are very similar to Horizon 22, offering sweeping panoramas across the skyline, but the southern view toward The Shard and the Walkie Talkie building is partially blocked by One Leadenhall. For me, that small difference makes Horizon 22 the slightly better option, offering cleaner, more expansive compositions, though 8 Bishopsgate remains a solid alternative if you’re exploring the City rooftops.
Information for photographers visiting The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate
| Opening Hours | Mondays and Fridays 12:00 - 21:00 Tuesdays to Thursdays 10:30 - 17:30 Saturdays 11:00 - 18:00 Sundays 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Closest Tube Station(s) | Monument (Circle & District) / Bank (Central, DLR, Northern, Waterloo & City) Liverpool Street (Elizabeth line, London Overground, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) Moorgate (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern) |
| Google Map Location | Click here to open Google Maps |
| Booking Required? | Yes |
| Ticket Release Schedule | Tickets can be booked up to two weeks in advance and are released every other Monday |
| Booking / Website Details | Click here to visit the venue's website |
| Height / Floor Level | Level 50 |
| Tripods Allowed? | No |
| Indoor / Outdoor | Indoor |
| View Direction | The lookout offers views primarily to the south and west of London |
Essential Gear for London Rooftop Photography
Apart from a camera and lens, no specialist gear is needed when photographing London’s rooftops, but for both serious photographers and hobbyists, the following items are worth considering:
CPL (Circular Polariser) filter: Useful to help reduce the reflections when photographing through glass and cutting through some of the haze often experienced when high up above the city. CPLs reduce light by around one stop, so keep an eye on your shutter speed.
Lens hood: I find lens hoods the most effective way to reduce reflections when photographing through glass. I have a slightly rigid silicon hood that fits over my lens. Most venues are not happy for items to be placed against the glass, so this style of lens hood works best in those situations.
Telephoto Lens: A good zoom lens can help to isolate those far-away compositions across the city, and is a worthwhile addition to your camera bag.
Lens cloths: Useful to clean your lens, but also useful to wipe away fingerprints and grime from the glass, helping to keep your photos as clean as possible.
5 Tips for Shooting London Rooftops Through Glass
1. Use a lens hood and/or a circular polariser filter to avoid reflections
As mentioned in the gear checklist above, a lens hood and CPL are the most effective tools for reducing reflections in glass. If you don’t have either, press the end of your lens directly against the glass to block stray reflections.
2. Look for spots without indoor lights
Rooftop locations cater mostly to casual visitors, so interior lighting can often create glare and reflections. Seek areas where indoor lights don’t interfere too much with your shot.
3. Use a wide aperture (but not too wide)
A slightly wider aperture helps reduce depth of field, keeping any dirt or smudges on the glass out of focus. However, avoid opening the aperture too much, as many lenses lose sharpness around the edges when fully wide open.
4. Clean the glass if allowed
If the location permits, give the glass a quick clean. It’s an easy way to improve image quality, but be discreet — some venues prefer that visitors don’t touch the glass.
5. Turn off your flash
This may seem obvious, but many photographers forget to switch off their camera flash when shooting through glass. Even a small flash can create harsh glare and ruin a shot.
Bonus Tip: Shoot in RAW
Not essential, but very helpful. Many rooftop glass panels have a slight tint, often greenish, and shooting in RAW gives you maximum flexibility to correct white balance and remove any unwanted colour casts in post-processing.
There you have it — my top five free rooftop locations to photograph London in 2026. I hope you found this guide useful! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions that other readers might find helpful, please feel free to leave a message in the comments.
Until next time.
Trevor