Free 58 Storey Viewing Gallery in London, higher than the Shard! Horizon 22! History Context Tips

There is a new free viewing platform in the City of London on Floor 58 of the second tallest building in London. The views are absolutely unbelievable and the viewing platform is higher than the Shard’s, the tallest building in London.

This is Horizon 22 at 22 Bishopsgate, London.

As well as looking at the views and visitor information we will look at the location, old maps, context and a bit of history.

Including old photos from 2001 and 2014.

Please stay to the end for all the detail.

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This is Floor 58M.

It is almost impossible not to gasp or go wow after coming out of the lift lobby and looking out of the windows, and this is at the top of a stairwell going down to the viewing area.

The double height gallery is a good touch which helps improve the sense of awe!

The views are just amazing. I was also fortunate that it was a bright clear day. The only unfortunate very slight downside was the glare off the windows from the bright sun which impacted on a couple of the photos.

It is quite bizarre that it looks down on the viewing decks of several other buildings including 8 Bishopsgate next door - even though it is 50 storeys high and the garden at the Walkie Talkie, is even lower. Then there is even the previous highest viewing point at the Shard across the River Thames.

We will come back to these views and more but first let's look at the outside of the building, 22 Bishopsgate.

This is the view of the City of London from the south side of the River Thames with HMS Belfast in the foreground.

Now If we go back to 2001, look at the view behind the ship, it is incredibly different, there are no skyscrapers in view though the Nat West Tower was there out of the picture.

Coming forward to 2014 and this view from the River Thames, we can see a very different skyline with gaps where several tower blocks now are including 22 Bishopsgate and 8 Bishopsgate next door.

It was then still possible to just about see the old NatWest Tower now known as Tower 42.

Then here in 2023 we can see 22 Bishopsgate dominating the skyline.

Let's talk height.

This tower 22 Bishopsgate is 278m or 912 ft tall, the old NatWest Tower, Tower 42, which was the tallest tower in London from 1980 until 2009 is 183 m or 600 ft tall and no 8 Bishopsgate is 204 m or 669 ft.

The Shard is 310m, the tallest in London, that is 1016 ft high but the viewing platform is not at the top, however it does have 360 degrees views though there is a charge for this.

Sources:
National Library of Scotland website
Google Maps
Horizon 22 Website