BT Tower
Enjoying the panoramic views from this tower might be a challenge to you, as the BT Tower is currently not open to the public. It used to be, but due to a terrorist bomb in 1971 (IRA in those days!) the revolving restaurant at the top was closed. However keep checking as there are plans to reopen the restaurant. Otherwise there are only two realistic ways that you can get up to the top for the best views of London:-
1 – via business meetings – (I’ve done this a couple of times so far)
or
2 – via a Charity stunt; such as getting sponsored to run up the 800 stairs to the top.
Either way, it is worth it. The meeting area at the top still rotates, taking 22 minutes for a full circuit. Sitting down having a very good lunch while the world literally turns at your feet in one of the tallest buildings in the UK is a unique sensation.
View looking East
The green roof of the Great Court of the British Museum is right of centre while in the centre is the white brutalist structure of London University’s Senate House.
View looking South East
This is the financial centre of London with the tower blocks of Canary Wharf in the far background. Left of centre is the 30 St Mary Axe office block (a.k.a. the “Gerkin” for obvious reasons). The dome of St Paul’s just holds its own on the right.
View looking South / South East
Centre Point at the end of Oxford Street is the dominant building in this photo. The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is to the left of Centre Point, with the tall white part of the building required for raising the scenery. To the upper right, across the Thames is the Royal Festival Hall with the enormous Shell Centre office block behind it.
View looking South
The London Eye is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe. I think most Londoners & visitors have gone round it by now.
If you want more of “London from above” from a different point, then I have some of my own views from the London Eye.
View looking North
Regents Park, with London Zoo at its Northern end. Left of centre is Winfield House, the official residence of the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom – with the second largest private garden in London (after that of Buckingham Palace.
View looking down – Fitzroy Square
London may be heavily urbanised, but at least we still manage to keep our trees wherever we can.
