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Best viewpoints & observation decks in London, ranked honestly

Ranked by Reality: whether each one delivers for people who went. The chips show if it lives up to its hype.

Primrose Hill — photo by Aurélie Jerome

Worth itReality 76 +231Primrose Hill★ 4.8North & East London · ViewpointFree 63 m grassy hill beside Regent's Park with a protected view of the London skyline

Sky Garden — photo by Remco van Linge

Worth it if…Reality 66 −82Sky Garden★ 4.6City, Tower & South Bank · ViewpointFree glass-domed garden and viewing deck atop the 'Walkie Talkie' at 20 Fenchurch Street

Cable Car — photo by Greenwich Peninsula

Worth it if…Reality 56 +223Cable Car★ 4.6Greenwich & day trips · ViewpointTfL gondola over the Thames between the O2 and Royal Docks, about 10 minutes each way

The Shard — photo by Felestine Chong

Skip itReality 44 +54The Shard★ 4.6City, Tower & South Bank · ViewpointPaid observation decks on levels 68–72 of the UK's tallest building, by London Bridge

London Eye — photo by Matthias Ullrich

Skip itReality 39 −485London Eye★ 4.5City, Tower & South Bank · Viewpoint135 m observation wheel on the South Bank; a 30-minute rotation in glass capsules

The numbers

#	Place	Verdict	Hype	Reality	Gap	Google
1	Primrose Hill	Worth it	53	76	+23 · Underrated	★ 4.8 (15,371)
2	Sky Garden	Worth it if…	74	66	−8 · Lives up to the hype	★ 4.6 (78,619)
3	Cable Car	Worth it if…	34	56	+22 · Lives up to the hype	★ 4.6 (6,266)
4	The Shard	Skip it	39	44	+5 · Lives up to the hype	★ 4.6 (8,280)
5	London Eye	Skip it	87	39	−48 · Overhyped	★ 4.5 (205,783)