The 10 Best Views in London: Scenic Vistas & Beautiful Skylines

The capital and beating heart of England is the city of London, a sprawling metropolis with remnants of an unstoppable industrial past, Victorian wealth and modern architectural delight. And what better way to see some of the best views in London than by climbing up some of London's most famous landmarks.London's skyline is an array of some of the most unique historic and modern buildings in the world. From the low-lying icon of St Paul's Cathedral to the glossy high-rise of The Shard, London is every bit as diverse in its skyline as it is in its culture.From exclusive high-rise bars to tucked away green spaces, London has a host of perfect locations to truly enjoy one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. Take in London's scenic vistas with these top ten best views in London:

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The Walkie Talkie

To experience one of London's latest and largest buildings, head to the Walkie Talkie, a skyscraper that has a Sky Garden on one of its highest floors. Feel like you are in the middle of modern London and the historic city with views of the Shard and Tower Bridge. You can also enjoy a meal or just a latte at one of the Garden's restaurants and cafes on the viewing floors. Tickets to the Sky Garden are free but only a certain number are available each day so make sure you book in advance for a trip to the top.

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Hampstead Heath

Located in the North of London just six kilometers from Trafalgar Square, Hampstead Heath is one of the largest and most popular open green spaces in London, that also offers some of the prettiest views. Feel like you've stepped into the countryside in this green haven full of trees, wildlife and even open air swimming pools. Head to the top of the Heath for the best views and sign up for one a sporting event for the rest of the day or just bring a picnic!

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The Shard

The tallest building in London, the Shard is massive 1,004-feet high and undoubtedly offers some of the best views of London's skyline. While tickets aren't cheap you can take advantage of the one of the viewing floor's spectacular 360-degree panoramas, with views of the HMS Belfast and the London Eye. Sip on champagne or even dine at the top of the tallest habitable building in Europe and you won't regret it.

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Greenwich Park

Stare down at the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House by walking to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park. Close to time itself at Greenwich Mean Time, you will see most of South East London from this viewing point, such as the modern high-rises of Canary Wharf poking out from the historic buildings below.

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The London Eye

One of the most popular modern attractions in London is in the heart of the city. The London Eye, a slow moving Ferris wheel, is one of the best ways to see London and to enjoy slowly spinning around on a wheel. See almost every major landmark in London, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace from a glass bubble with a computerized viewing board that cleverly identifies all of the buildings you can see.

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The Monument

Visit the world's tallest isolated stone column and Sir Christopher Wren's Monument to the Great Fire of 1666 to get some spectacular views of the city. The 202-foot high building is located on Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire of London is thought to have started, and provides views of the Tower of London and the Gherkin, although it does mean walking up 300 spiral steps to reach the top!

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Vertigo 42

If you fancy a spectacular view of London while sipping on a glass of champagne, then Vertigo 42 is the place to be. Great for a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink, the champagne can be a little expensive but it is free to get in, just make sure you book a table in advance as it can get very busy.

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The O2

For the more adventurous traveler, the O2 is offering visitors the chance to climb across the white dome for fantastic views of London, primarily of nearby Canary Wharf. Costing around $40 the climb offers 360-degree views of East London, including Greenwich and the Olympic Park. Plus you get to be outside in climbing gear overlooking London - now that's a pretty unique way to see the city.

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Emirates Air Line Cable Car

Take the Emirates Air Line cable car across the River Thames (close to the O2) for truly unique viewing point of the city. One ride will cost an Oyster card holder (the London underground travel card) £3.30 (around $5) and children pay half of this for a ride.

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Tower Bridge Exhibition

Over 130-feet above the River Thames, Tower Bridge is one of London's most esteemed landmarks. And for around $15 you can walk across the top of it! Enjoy panoramic views of London as you walk across a glass panel walkway and learn more about the history of Tower itself, including how it works, why it was built, and a visit to the old Victorian engines.

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See All the Best Views of London with Auto Europe

When you're ready to embark on the vacation of a lifetime and experience London, give Auto Europe a call, at 1-888-223-5555. Whether you need an affordable car rental in England, international airfare, or even hotel accommodations, Auto Europe is here to serve all your travel needs. With over 60 years as a travel industry leader, Auto Europe has worked hard to develop strong supplier relationships that allow us to pass on our significant discounts to you.