Overview

The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate is viewing gallery on the 50th floor, with impressive views of the London skyline. It is free to visit. However. you must pre-book as only limited numbers are allowed in the space at any one time. The venue is step-free and there is an accessible toilet. Only part of 8 Bishopsgate is open to the public, this review is only for The Lookout viewing gallery.

Transport & Parking

The building is close to Liverpool Street Railway Station, which has step free access. Liverpool Street Tube Station is step free only on the Elizabeth Line, both directions, and east bound only for the Hammersmith and City, Circle and Metropolitan lines. Buses stop close by.

Access

There are two entrances to The Lookout. One is a revolving door and adjacent to it is a push button door. You then enter into a spacious foyer where you pass through an airport security type area and go through to where the lifts are. LIFTS There are two lifts with double doors. When I visited only one of the two lifts was being used as there was a barrier across the entrance of one of them. Even though they both worked, as the one with the barrier arrived first. The lift was wide enough for me and my crutch, see photo, but not very spacious. The lift does not make audible announcements but I did notice Hearing loop symbol inside the lift. The buttons are raised. You are wanting to go to the 50th floor. VIEWING AREA The lifts open out into a spacious viewing area. The view is impressive. There are floor to ceiling windows, with if my math calculations are any good you get about a 270 degree view over London. As tickets are timed it was not very busy and very pleasant to visit. There are 6-8 free standing seats away from the windows.

Toilets

There is one toilet in the Lookout area. It is accessible. There is a manual door, which does not seem to have a lock, which opens up to a baby changing area. You have to go through this to reach the accessible toilet. There is then a manual door for the accessible toilet. This opens out onto where the baby changing unit is. The toilet is quiet spacious, with plenty of grab rails. The emergency cord reached down to the floor. The toilet is clean and tidy.

Staff

Staff were very helpful, welcoming and friendly. I only spoke to the person undertaking the security checks, both on my way in and out. Although there was a member of staff on the Lookout I had no interaction with them.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The views are so impressive. There is so much to see. The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Monument, the Palace of Westminster, the Bank of England, Royal Exchange, Mansion House, St Paul's Cathedral, the Guildhall, the Barbican, Tower 42, the BT Tower, Wembley Arch, the River Thames and several City Churches. However, there is no information boards to tell you what you are looking at. I am lucky as I am a City Guide so I know what the buildings are but for the general visitor there are a lot of historic and interesting buildings that you might miss. I feel if this information was available it would add to an already fabulous experience. I loved my visit. I've already booked up to go again as it is open in the evenings until 9pm on Mondays and Fridays and it will be nice to view the city at night.

Photos