Breathtaking Scenic View in London

Posted by Fergus B.
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Sep 7, 2015
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As a cosmopolitan city, it may surprise you that London has many different spots where the views are simply breathtaking. London is renowned for being an incredibly built up area but there are a few hidden treasures around that allow you to take in London landscape and be able to fully appreciate how beautiful it is. Here are a list of the best attractions in London that must be on your agenda when travelling to the city.

Parliament Hill
Considered to be one of the best viewpoints in London, Parliament Hill is 322ft above sea level and its panoramic views are extraordinary, day or night. From this point, many of London’s famous monuments can be seen such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, Canary Whalf and the London Eye, just to name a few. It is a popular place for locals and tourists alike due to the serene setting but also it is one of the best places in the city to be for New Years Eve celebrations and Bonfire Night; it is even said that this very spot was where Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby intended to watch their Gunpowder plot unfold in the 17th century.

The view is one of the many reasons to visit Parliament Hill but there is so much to do in the area too. There are playgrounds for the children, swimming ponds, tennis courts, wildlife and an athletics field and it is a very popular place for the locals to do a spot of exercise or take a ball for a friendly game. It is a great, tranquil spot that gives you a little breather from the chaos of the city.

Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge commands one of the best views of London that can be found at ground level. Due to its wide expanse and bend, it allows crossers to see Westminster, the London Eye, Canary Whalf and the City of London all from one place. Opened in 1817 as a toll bridge, it was named after the British victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and went on to become a sense of inspiration for poets, such as Thomas Hood, and painters, such as John Constable and Claude Monet.

The first bridge was demolished and another was designed and constructed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Due to the Blitz, the Waterloo Bridge was badly bomb-damaged and was only partially opened in 1942, with it being completed three years later. It is a great place to stop and take in the scenery.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London
A few tube stops away from the Park Grand Hotel London lies The Monument, a symbol of the Great Fire of London that ravaged the city. It started in a baker’s house in Pudding Lane in 1666 and took 3 days to finally be distinguished. There was minimal loss of life but a huge loss of houses, businesses and even St Paul’s Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren, who famously designed the St Paul’s Cathedral we know today, was given the task of commemorating this colossal event and the Monument was opened in 1677. Its design is inspired by classical architecture and it comprises of 311 steps that take visitors onto a viewing platform where they can take in a panoramic view of the city. It is a beautiful yet poignant reminder of the Great Fire.

Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill quite simply has the most spectacular view of London, with six protected viewpoints that allow you to see almost a complete skyline of the city. Once used for duels and prize-fights, it is now usually used as a place to relax and enjoy the scenery by Londoners, just to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It stands 63 metres above sea level and, with the trees permanently cut low to not obstruct the view, it really is a spectacular sight to behold.

The London Eye
This site barely needs an introduction as it is famous all around the world and is an iconic symbol of London. The Millennium Wheel, or the London Eye as it is more commonly known, opened in 2000 to celebrate the dawn of a new age. Since then it has had millions of visitors who have taken the 30 minute trip in one of its 32 capsules to be captivated by the sweeping 360 degree views of the city. It is the number one attraction in the UK, which isn’t surprising with the sheer beauty of the views, and its popularity has led to many people privately renting the capsules for parties, weddings and even business meetings. As it is a very popular attraction, it is advised to book your trip in advance and keep an eye out for special offers on ticket prices.

One New Change Rooftop
In every city there are many hidden delights that very few people know about and One New Change Rooftop is one of them. Unless you are a local and have been given inside knowledge, this magnificent place will be completely unknown to you which is a crime due to the striking view of St Paul’s Cathedral that it commands. After a hard day’s work or shopping, a visit to One New Change Rooftop will be just what you need, especially when you can visit Madison Restaurant for a small glass of bubbly while you survey the city. Madison Restaurant not only allows you to gorge yourself on some delicious cuisine, but to do this while enjoying some of the best sights of London - London itself.
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