Horizon 22: Hidden 360° Gem Atop London You Can Visit for Free

Horizon 22 sits high in the sky. It is in London. You can see the whole city from there. The views go all around. That means 300 degrees. You spot big landmarks. Like the River Thames. And Tower Bridge. It is free to go up. But you need a ticket. Book it online first. This spot opened in 2023. It is on floor 58 of 22 Bishopsgate. That building is tall. It is the tallest in the City of London. At 254 meters up. That is higher than most places. People love it for the clear sights. No crowds like other spots. On a good day, you see far. Even to hills outside the city. It is a quiet way to look at London. No need to pay extra for food or shows. Just the view. And it feels special. Like a secret find in a busy city. Many do not know about it yet. But it grows popular. Go early to beat lines. Wear comfy shoes. The lift goes fast. Your ears might pop. But it is worth it. The glass walls let you see everything. Day or night. The city lights sparkle after dark. This guide tells you all. From how to get there. To what you see. It helps you plan.

The Story Behind Horizon 22 and Its Building

22 Bishopsgate has a long past. Plans started years ago. First, it was called The Pinnacle. That was in 2005. Designers wanted a twist shape. Like a spiral. It would be 288 meters tall. Work began in 2008. They dug a big hole. For the base. But money problems came. In 2012, they stopped. The hole sat empty. People called it “The Stump.” It looked sad in the city. Then, new plans came. In 2015, they changed the design. No more spiral. Now, a straight tower. With glass and steel. It would be 278 meters. With 62 floors. Builders used the old base. That saved time. And money. They added smart tech. Like fast lifts. And green power. Wind and sun help run it. Work started again in 2016. Many people helped build it. Over 4,000 workers. They used big cranes. And strong beams. The top went on in 2019. It opened in 2020. Right as the world had health issues. But it kept going. Now, it holds offices. For banks and firms. Over 12,000 people work there. It has shops at the bottom. And a market hall. Horizon 22 came later. In 2023. It is on floor 58. Made for the public. To see the views. It was part of the plan. To give back to the city. The name comes from the address. 22 Bishopsgate. Bishopsgate is an old street. From Roman times. It led to a gate in the city wall. Long gone now. But the name stays. The building fits the area. Tall towers around it. Like the Gherkin. And the Cheesegrater. They call this part the City Cluster. All skyscrapers together. 22 Bishopsgate is the king there. It uses less energy. Rain water gets saved. For plants and cleaning. Inside, air stays clean. With filters. It won awards. For being green. And safe. During build, they faced wind. And tight space. But they did it. Now, Horizon 22 lets anyone up. For free. It shows London’s growth. From old streets to high towers. This spot tells that story. When you stand there, think of the past. The hole that waited. Now a gem on top.

How to Reach Horizon 22 Step by Step

Getting to Horizon 22 is easy. It is in the City of London. Near old banks and new towers. The address is 22 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AJ. Start from where you are. If in central London, use the Tube. That is the underground train. Bank station is close. Just six minutes walk. From Bank, exit to Threadneedle Street. Walk east. Past big buildings. Turn right on Bishopsgate. See the tall tower. It stands out. Liverpool Street station is also near. Ten minutes walk. It has trains from far places. Like airports. From Liverpool Street, go south on Bishopsgate. The building is on the left. Moorgate station works too. Same lines. Monument station is south. A bit farther. But still close. All these stops have lifts. For easy access. If you use buses, many stop near. Numbers 21, 25, 26, 43, 47, 344, 388. They run often. From places like Westminster or Canary Wharf. Check apps for times. Like Citymapper. It shows routes. If you drive, parking is hard. The area is busy. Use public lots. Like one at Finsbury Circus. But traffic is slow. Better not drive. From Heathrow Airport, take the train. Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street. Fast and cheap. From Gatwick, train to London Bridge. Then Tube to Bank. Simple. Once at 22 Bishopsgate, find the entrance. It is separate. On the southeast side. Signs say Horizon 22. Staff wait there. They help. The building looks modern. Glass front. Big doors. Go in. Security first. Like at airports. Put bags on a belt. Walk through a gate. It beeps if metal. But quick. Then, the lift. It goes super fast. To floor 58. In seconds. Hold on. Ears pop from height. But fun. If you have a wheelchair, it fits. All flat. No steps. For kids, strollers okay. But hold tight in lift. Plan time. From station to top, 15 minutes. Add queue if busy. Go on weekdays. Less people. This way, you get there smooth. Enjoy the walk. See old churches nearby. Like St. Botolph’s. It adds to the trip.

Booking Your Spot and Planning Tips

You must book to visit Horizon 22. It is free. But spots fill fast. Use the website. Horizon22.co.uk. Click book. Pick a date. Up to 30 days ahead. Tickets drop each day at 10 AM. For the next month. Set a reminder. Choose time slot. Like 11 AM or 3 PM. Slots every 15 minutes. One ticket per person. Up to six in a group. Kids need tickets too. But free for all. Put your name and email. Get a QR code. Show it on your phone. Or print. If you miss, cancel. So others can go. Walk-ins possible. 10% spots saved. But only if room. Better book. Open hours change. Weekdays 10 AM to 6 PM. Last entry 5:30 PM. Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM. Last at 4:30 PM. Sundays 10 AM to 4 PM. Last at 3:30 PM. Closed Christmas and New Year. Check site for changes. Best time? Weekdays morning. Less crowd. Clear views. Avoid weekends. Busy then. School holidays too. If rain, still go. Inside warm. But views hazy. Check weather app. Go on sunny days. For best sights. Night visits nice. City lights on. But book early slots. Dark comes fast in winter. Take ID. Sometimes they check. For the lead person. No big bags. Security takes them. Like knives or big drinks. Water okay. Small bags fine. Plan 45 minutes up there. But stay longer. No time limit. Cafe has drinks. Coffee or tea. Snacks too. Not cheap. But okay. Toilets clean. On the floor. If you have questions, email them. Or call. Staff friendly. This plan helps. You get in easy. See the city calm.

What Happens When You Get There

You arrive at the door. Staff smile. Check your QR code. If walk-in, they scan a code. For a ticket now. Then security. Put bag in tray. Walk through arch. It scans. Quick. Like five minutes. Staff help if beep. No worry. Then wait for lift. Groups go up. Lift is glass. See walls fly by. Fast. 58 floors in 40 seconds. Ears pop. Swallow to fix. Doors open. Wow. Big room. Glass all around. Views hit you. Walk left or right. Floor is wood. Seats here and there. To sit and look. Maps on walls. Show what you see. Labels for buildings. Helpful. Air cool. Not hot. Even in sun. Windows clean. No marks. Take photos easy. Cafe in corner. Buy cake or drink. Sit with view. Toilets near. Clean and big. Staff walk around. Answer questions. Point out spots. Like where the Queen lived. Or old castles. No rush. Walk slow. See all sides. North to hills. South to river. East to docks. West to parks. Kids love it. Point at trains below. Like toys. If busy, still space. Holds 280 people. Feels open. Mezzanine level up stairs. More views. But most on main floor. When done, lift down. Same fast. Back to street. Whole visit one hour. But feels longer. Magic up there. Quiet from city noise. Just wind sometimes. Go with friends. Or alone. Both good. This is what waits. Simple joy.

A Close Look at the Views from Horizon 22

The views make Horizon 22 special. You see almost all around. Start north. Finsbury Circus is below. It is London’s oldest park. From 1606. Green and round. Like a bowl. Next, Tower 42. Tall and thin. Built in 1980. Was the highest then. Shaped like a bank logo. Look farther. Alexandra Palace on a hill. Called Ally Pally. Built in 1873. For shows and fun. Burned twice. Now has concerts. And ice rink. West from there. Google HQ near Kings Cross. Big and long. Like a flat Shard. Opens soon. Cranes still work. St Pancras Station next. Red brick. Like a castle. From 1870s. Trains to Europe go there. Big arch roof. Glass and iron. BT Tower stands out. Round and tall. From 1964. Used for calls. Now events. Green dome below is British Museum. Old treasures inside. From all world. Glass roof from 2000. Like a web. On clear day, Wembley Stadium arch. White and big. For football. Holds 90,000. St Paul’s Cathedral shines. Dome from 1710. By Wren. After big fire in 1666. Rules say no tall builds near. To keep view. Old Bailey close. Court house. Gold lady on top. Justice. From 1907. On old prison site. Buckingham Palace hides in trees. Green Park and St James’s. Queen lived there. Now king. One Blackfriars bulges. New in 2018. Homes inside. London Eye wheel spins. From 2000. Was temp. Now stays. Palace of Westminster by river. Big Ben tower. Bell inside. Rings loud. Victoria Tower holds papers. Battersea Power Station chimneys. Four white. From 1930s. Now shops and homes. Pink Floyd album cover. The Monument gold top. For 1666 fire. Climb it below. 311 steps. St Magnus church tower. By Wren too. Near old bridge. Southwark Cathedral old. From 1106. Rebuilt later. Shard next. Pointy. Tallest in UK. 310 meters. Pay to go up. Hays Galleria shops. Old wharf. From 1600s. Fire hit in 1861. HMS Belfast ship. From war. Museum now. Walk on it. Tower Bridge opens. From 1894. Looks old but new then. Tower of London castle. 1000 years. Crown jewels inside. Canary Wharf towers. Like New York. Banks there. Isle of Dogs curve. Greenwich domes. Old navy school. By Wren. UNESCO site. Park green. Observatory too. For time. The Gherkin below. Curved glass. From 2004. Like a pickle. These sights tell London’s tale. Old and new mix. River winds through. Boats small. Trains like worms. On hazy day, close things clear. Far ones fade. But always something. Walk slow. See more. Use phone zoom. Spot hidden spots. Like small parks. Or roof gardens. This guide helps find them. Each has a story. From kings to fires. London lives below.

How Horizon 22 Stacks Up Against Other Spots

London has many high views. Horizon 22 stands out. Compare to Sky Garden. That is in 20 Fenchurch Street. Called Walkie Talkie. Shape like radio. Floor 35. 155 meters up. Free too. But book far ahead. Weeks sometimes. Views good. 360 degrees. With plants inside. Like a garden. Outdoor bit. Feel wind. But crowded. Many people. Lines long. Horizon 22 higher. Less busy. Clearer sights. No plants block. Next, The Shard. Pointy tower. 244 meters view. Floor 72. Pay £30 or more. Views sharp. See same landmarks. But enclosed. No fresh air. Cafe fancy. Drinks cost. Horizon 22 free. Similar height. But quieter. Shard feels posh. Horizon more simple. London Eye wheel. Moves slow. 135 meters. Pay £25. Views change. River focus. But short ride. 30 minutes. Horizon lets you stay long. No motion. Good for photos. Garden at 120 another free. Floor 15. 120 Fenchurch. Outdoor roof. Nice plants. But low. 60 meters. See close buildings. Not far. Horizon shows whole city. Better for big picture. All spots weather matter. Rain hides views. But Horizon inside. Dry always. Crowds vary. Horizon wins on free and high. Less known. Feels hidden. Others popular. Long waits. Choose based on want. Free and calm? Horizon. Plants and air? Sky Garden. Fancy? Shard. This helps pick.

Tips to Make Your Visit Better

Plan for weather. Sunny days best. Clear far views. Check forecast. If clouds, still go. City lights nice. Rain okay inside. But misty glass sometimes. Bring jacket. High up windy if windows open. But mostly closed. For photos, clean lens. Glass reflects. Stand close. Use phone wide mode. Catch more. No tripods. Hand hold. Best time dawn or dusk. Colors pretty. Golden hour. Accessibility good. Lifts big. Wheelchair fit. Guide dogs yes. Staff help. But book slot. Tell needs. For kids, exciting. But hold hands. High place. No run. Strollers okay. But fold in lift. If fear heights, windows far. Feel safe. Cafe has seats. Rest there. Drink water. Height dry air. Nearby, eat after. Leadenhall Market close. Old and pretty. Food stalls. Or Borough Market south. Fresh eats. Walk over bridge. Combine with walk. See river. This makes day full. Safe and fun.

Places Close By to See More

After Horizon 22, explore around. The area is old and fun. Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral. Five minutes. Climb dome. See views from there. Low but nice. Inside pretty. Whisper gallery fun. Sound travels. Tower of London east. Ten minutes. See jewels. And old walls. History of kings. River walk south. To Tower Bridge. Cross it. See engines inside. How it lifts. Leadenhall Market north. Covered hall. From 1300s. Shops and pubs. Like Harry Potter spot. Gherkin building next. Look up. Curved shape. Photo spot. Bank of England museum free. Gold bars. Money history. Close by. These add to your day. Mix high views with ground fun. London easy to walk.

In the end, Horizon 22 gives a fresh look at London. Free and high. A spot to remember. Go see it.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Horizon 22 based on public sources as of August 19, 2025. Details like hours, access, and views can change. Check the official site for updates. The author has no ties to Horizon 22 or its building. This is not advice or promotion. Use at your own risk.