While attractions like the Shard and the London Eye offer excellent perspectives, they’re always busy and ticket prices are steep. But with a little insider knowledge, you can save your pounds and bag your skyline photos without the crowds through accessing the following viewpoints.
Parliament HillLondon is mostly flat, but if you know where to look there are a few hills that provide natural (and free) high points offering city views with a side order of fresh air.
One of the most central is Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath — at 98m, one of London’s highest natural viewpoints. From here, on a clear day, you can sit on the park bench that featured in movies like Run Fatboy Run and Notes on a Scandal.
Entry fee: free
The Garden Museum TowerIf you exit left out of Westminster station, battle your way over the bridge and then turn right, past the view of Big Ben and walk along the south side of the Thames, you’ll come to a medieval (中 世纪的) church.
While you might be interested in British garden design, it’s the 14th-Century tower that’s the main attraction for photographers. Climb the 131 steps of the narrow spiral staircase and you’ll emerge onto one of the finest riverside viewpoints in the city — with views across to the Palace of Westminster on the right.
Entry fee: Adult f16, or Tower only 4
The IFS Cloud Cable CarIf you want to soar over London in a glass pod, the obvious place to go is the London Eye. But a cheaper and crowd-free alternative is to ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
The views are impressive at any time, but the Cable Car stays open late, so you can even enjoy magnificent sunsets from the west — facing side or admire the twinkling city lights after dark.
Entry fee: E6 one-way
Seabird, SouthwarkLondon has no shortage of rooftop venues (场所) offering knockout cityscape views, so it can be hard to pick just one or two. But for location, angles and a great experience, it doesn’t get much better than Seabird, on the 14th floor of the Hoxton hotel in Southwark with nothing to block views on three sides.
Entry fee: Buy a drink: draught beer costs ₤6.50 or small glass of wine is ₤9; a portion of olives costs ₤5.
1. Where can you go if you want to photograph the 14th-Century tower?
A.The London Eye. |
B.The south side of the Thames. |
C.The rooftop venues. |
D.A place near St Paul’s Cathedral. |
2. In which viewpoint can you just buy a drink and enjoy free city views?
A.Parliament Hill. |
B.The Garden Museum Tower. |
C.The IFS Cloud Cable Car. |
D.Seabird, Southwark. |
3. What do the 4 viewpoints have in common?
A.They are free. |
B.They are well-known. |
C.They are not crowded. |
D.They are not cheap. |