When I’m exploring a city, particularly for the first time, I love to seek out vantage points from high places.
Every city has their own spot. Paris has the Eiffel tower, New York has the Empire State, and Rome has Palatine Hill. So, where is the best place in London to find that all important panorama?
The Shard? London Eye? Primrose Hill? St Pauls? Waterloo Bridge? It appears London has many, so which one is the best?
Although they all do the job very well, there is one place that tops them all. The view of London that gives me the greatest pleasure can be found at the top of Greenwich Park, under the statue of James Wolfe.
It’s such a peaceful area too, especially when no one is around but a few squirrels and joggers. Oh, and if you manage to make it at sunset, you’ll go to sleep with a smile on your face. I’m sure of it.
Exploring Greenwich and the park
Get here at midday on a Saturday or Sunday and you’ll discover this viewpoint gets busy. To avoid this, try taking a trip through the week. If you work 9-5, time a visit in the late afternoon or early evening on the weekend. If neither of these times work, don’t worry, it’s hardly Oxford Circus. A busy Greenwich is still never that busy.
Begin your journey in Greenwich Market. It’s a treat for the senses. Each food stall offers a tantalising array of options. Good luck deciding which stall deserves your money – the choice isn’t easy.
Vegetarians, vegans and people with dietary requirements will be happy to see stalls catering for their needs!
After you’ve inevitably eaten more than you intended, it’s time to visit the park. See it as some gentle exercise to compensate for your uncontrollable behaviour at the food market.
Related: 21 best things to do in Greenwich, London
Once you reach the top, you’ll instantly know what I’m talking about when I say this view tells the story of London through the ages.
First your eyes fall across the park directly to Maritime Greenwich, a collection of old Palladian buildings that include the Queen’s House. Behind this olde-worlde view the skyline is dominated by modern London filled with Skyscrapers and broken up only by the Thames River.
A skyline of old and new
It’s this contrast of old and new, one lined in front of the other, that makes this view so interesting. I really never tire of seeing it.
It’s so easy to get swept up in mega-rush of London, where nobody seems to stop to enjoy the small things, and Greenwich takes you out of all that for a while.
This view tells a story of how London has grown into the metropolis it is today. It’s difficult to believe that it used to be the most built up part of London was south of the river. There was nothing but miles and miles of grassland north of the river. If you don’t believe me, go inside the Queen’s House (which is now a gallery) and see paintings depicting such scenes. The Queen’s House is the white building in the centre of the above photo, along with the other Palladian buildings. This area of Greenwich has been awarded UNESCO status.
Once you’re at the top, sit down, relax, breath in, and repeat.
Tip: Don’t just stop at the viewpoint. Walk a little further to the flower garden where you have the chance to see more wildlife. Mainly deer and lots and lots of curious squirrels.
Greenwich park might not be the highest viewpoint, and it might not show off London’s complete skyline but I think it’s the most beautiful. Also, it’s free, something which can’t be said for the Shard or London Eye!
You might also like: Walking from Greenwich Park to Tower Bridge Along the Thames Path
18 responses
Thank you so much for this post! In about every city I visit I try to find a place, be that a tower or a hill, to go up and take panorama pictures, but I’ve never been able to find a good spot to do that in London. Absolutely gorgeous pictures! The sunset looks divine and now I’m hungry for eggs. Going to LDN for the 4th time in August and I’ll definitely try to squeeze Greenwich Park in my very tight schedule x
Ahhh glad I could help! I hope you enjoy Greenwich Park as much as I do, there are lots of nearby attractions too. Haha hungry for eggs? Enjoy London, and I’ll check out your photos on Instagram! 🙂
Yeah, those are eggs and potatoes in your vegetarian curry photo right? Looks delicious!
Ahhh, no, sweet potato! But I hope you satisfy your craving for some eggs this morning… hard on the outside, yet soft and melting on the inside mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
The only tall viewpoint that I’ve been to was on top of Tower Bridge. But it doesn’t give a very good London overview, just the Thames view. If I go back to London, I think I would really want to go on top of the Gherkin and see what it’s like.
Tower Bridge is a picturesque place, especially in the evening, but you’re right, it’s not high enough to get the kind of panorama you want. I love the Gherkin! But I don’t think it is accessible for the general public/tourists unfortunately. So you’ll either have to shell out for the shard or get a free view at Greenwich 😉 Primrose Hill is lovely too, and a little more central.
You just broke my heart by revealing that fact about the Gherkin 🙁 . Is The Shard new? I don’t think I’ve seen it before, it’s hard not to notice it as Google Maps says it is next to The Scoop. But then it was 2007 the last time I was in London.
Gahh seems like there’s so many things I need to see and do when I plan my next trip.
Haha I’m sooorry. Yes the Shard opened last year and is now the tallest building in Europe! It’s right next to London Bridge, but you can see it pretty much from anywhere in London when you’re at a moderate height, including Greenwich! (Although you can’t see it in these pictures, it’s just a little to the right – I need a wide lens).
The top of Greenwich Park sounds perfect for me based on your recommendations, Shing! Oh my gosh your photos are so beautiful here, our friend. I really like how you shared that the view tells a story because had I not known this was London from you saying so I would have not known otherwise. Yes, on the food snacks please…you know me and eating LOL 🙂 And I would want to venture off and see the wildlife you mentioned as well. Great post once again! We hope all is well with you! 🙂
It honestly doesn’t feel like London Mike! It’s really quaint, especially the area around the park and Maritime Greenwich, like you’ve just stepped back in time.
You wouldn’t be able to help yourself at the food market 🙂
What I really love is people on the grass. In Poland we have a do-not-step-on-the-grass mania that I sincerely hate. You showed the calmer London which I had no chance to see but it is good to know there is also a greener and quieter part to explore. Eh I want to go back so badly now, but it seems I will spent this summer at home fighting with my master thesis 🙁
PS. I love the photos!
When you finish your thesis London will be waiting for you with open arms! Think of how satisfying it will feel when you’re laying down in Greenwich park looking up at the clouds after acing your Masters!
I completely agree! Such a great view!
I’m glad a Londoner agrees! 🙂
Gorgeous photos! When I’m next in London I will definitely have to plan for a day in Greenwich!
Good, good, that’s what I like to hear, Greenwich deserves the attention of others! 🙂
Hi Shing,
I am going to be going to Dubai, England, France, and Italy in a few months. I was wondering if you could recommend anything specifically I should see or any off the beaten path stuff I should check out. Also I was wondering if you could recommend any foods are activities I should eat or participate in to really soak up the culture.
Thanks for your time,
Ty