Take viewing galleries to the next level with these altitudinous adventures.
London has no shortage of viewing galleries from which to go 'wow' as the capital unfolds in front of you. But have you ever considered combining the panoramas with a bit of an adventure? A growing number of attractions now let you clamber over roofs, rise into the treetops — or even view the city from the top of a ship's mast. Here are London's highest highlights.
Up at the O2
The original rooftop climb, Up at the O2 launched just before the Olympics back in 2012 and is still going strong. Strap on a harness, clip on your carabiner and off you go.
The dome roof is the same height as Nelson's Column (52 metres, an intentional nod to the weeks of the year; its diameter is 365 metres, and it's held up by 12 supports for similar calendrical reasons). From up here you can enjoy 360 degree views of the twisting Thames and the 'scrapers of North Greenwich and Canary Wharf.
Up at the O2 offers plenty of 'add-ons', including sunset climbs, London's highest snow globe (in winter) and a climb-and-dine experience. To keep the lofty adventure going afterwards, the 'dangleway' cable car is nearby and will whisk you more than 90 metres over the Thames.
Up at the O2 is open all year round. Not suitable for under-eights. Nearest station: North Greenwich (Jubilee line), or the dangleway.
The Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Most big clubs offer stadium tours, but only Spurs will let you hang out on the roof. The Dare Skywalk offers a 90 minute adventure across the top of the recently built stadium.
The highlight, literally, is a glass walkway, which cantilevers out over the football pitch. Those with extra reserves of pluck can also sign up for 'The Edge', which will lower you 42 metres back to the ground, dangling from a rope. Older participants will tell you it's the most spectacular dive in these parts since the Jürgen Klinsmann days.
The Dare Skywalk and The Edge are open all year round. Not suitable for under-eights. Nearest station: White Hart Lane (Weaver line).
Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure
London's newest rooftop attraction is also its loftiest, at 130 metres above sea level — indeed, it's marketed as the highest roof walk in the UK. The historic Alexandra Palace in north London is a mighty building in itself but, perched up on the hilltop, it commands exceptional views of the surrounding landscape, including central London.
The tours, which take you up to the Angel of Plenty statue at the pinnacle, include daytime, sunset or night lights.
Summit: Ally Pally Rooftop Adventure opens February 2026 and is expected to run all year round. Not suitable for under-eights. Note: additional fee required if you want to take photos up there. Nearest station: Alexandra Palace (Great Northern line).
Cutty Sark Rig Climb
How many of us can say that we've climbed the rigging of a Victorian tea clipper? Answer: a few more of us, now that the Cutty Sark in Greenwich offers vertiginous tours up the masts. And these are the originals. The rigging and masts were mercifully in storage in 2007 when the ship's decking caught fire.
With no sturdy floor to stand on, this is perhaps the most challenging of all the climbs in this list. After scrambling up the ropes, and admiring the views, participants get to abseil back to the deck. Not one for the faint of heart.
Cutty Sark rig climb operates spring till autumn. Not suitable for under-eights. The ship itself, part of Royal Museums Greenwich, is open all year round. Nearest station: Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (DLR); this is closed at time of writing, so Greenwich mainline station is next nearest.
Treetop Walkway, Kew
Greenwich isn't London's only World Heritage Site to offer remarkable views. Kew Gardens has, since 2008, allowed visitors to walk among its treetops on a special walkway. Often compared to the Ewok village from Return of the Jedi, the walkway is strung out among the chestnuts and oaks of the botanical gardens, offering a unique way to get closer to nature. At 18 metres off the ground, this is one of the tamer experiences on the list, and popular with families. A lift allows step-free access for those who need it.
Kew's treetop walkway is open all year round, and is included in general admission price. Suitable for all ages. Nearest station: Kew Gardens (District and Mildmay lines).
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit
Not exactly a rooftop climb, but we include it as another place to have an adventure high above London.
Built ahead of the 2012 Olympics, the awkwardly named ArcelorMittal Orbit first served as a viewing tower, and then found new purpose as the home of the world's longest tunnel slide. In 2025 it was taken over by Zip World, a Welsh firm who operate a number of zip-line-focussed adventure parks. On getting the keys, the company announced: "We currently have big plans to add 2 new adventures to the location." We now know these will be a 900 metre cable ride (like a hybrid of a cable car and zip wire), and a freefall attraction. The rides are still at planning stage with no date set for construction or opening. Meanwhile, the viewing deck and slide remain open.
ArcelorMittal Orbit is open all year round. You must be at least 1.3 metres to ride the slide. Nearest station: Stratford (Central, Jubilee, Mildmay and Elizabeth lines).
