London will soon welcome Europe’s highest free viewing gallery boasting sweeping, uninterrupted vistas across the capital. And it’s really high up.
You’ll find Horizon 22 in the City of London, 833 feet or 254 metres above ground on the 58th level of 22 Bishopsgate.
Views from the gallery will span across the capital’s great expanse when it opens on September 27, 2023.
You’ll be able to see many of London‘s iconic landmarks including the Cheese Grater, the Walkie Talkie, the Gherkin, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge, as well as across the River Thames to the Shard.
To access Horizon 22, two high speed lifts travelling up to eight metres per second will whisk you up to level 58 in just 41 seconds.
The gallery will be open every day from 10am, apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and has universal access.
Horizon 22 will open for pre-bookings on Wednesday, September 20 from the website horizon22.co.uk. Walk-ins are possible, although booking is recommended.
If you can’t fathom how tall 254 metres above ground is, let’s compare it to some of London’s other viewing platforms and vantage points.
Battersea Power Station has Lift 109, an observation deck built into one of the station’s chimneys which is located 109 metres up. Not even half the height of Horizon 22, from here, you already get a brilliant view of London that can extend out to Wembley Stadium.
Sky Garden’s claim is that it is London’s highest public garden, which is also free to book. Views from the Sky Garden, and its restaurant Fenchurch Restaurant are also incredible but it’s only on the 38th floor of the Walkie Talkie at 160 metres tall.
Also on Bishopsgate, The Lookout Bishopsgate is found on the 50th floor of the building, so it’s close but still no winner.
The Shard has many spots to catch a cracking view of London. You can find the highest on level 72, and from here you can see up to 40 miles across the capital. However, level 72 is only 244 metres above ground, just missing out on top spot.
So yeah, Horizon 22 is high.
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