This post is about how to enjoy a stunning free view of St. Paul’s Cathedral and more at one of London’s best-kept-secret, the rooftop terrace at One New Change.
- What is One New Change
- How to Visit the Rooftop Terrace
- The View
- Visiting St. Paul's Cathedral
- Nearby Attractions
- Things to Do in London
WHAT IS ONE NEW CHANGE?
One New Change is an office complex and a shopping centre located just streets away from St. Paul’s Cathedral in the City neighborhood of London.
Its sleek modern design was completed in 2010, at a cost of £500 million.
Perhaps the best aspect of the design is the public rooftop terrace with wonderful views of London.
You can also shop and dine at One New Change. There are chain stores like H&M and TopShop, as well as some independently run boutiques.
You can dine at several restaurants including one on the rooftop terrace.
Lastly, there are ongoing events on the terrace. You can take a free yoga class, attend a movie screening, or watch the Wimbledon Finals on the Jumbotron!
HOW TO VISIT THE ROOFTOP TERRACE
There is no charge to visit the terrace at One New Change, making this one of the best free things to do in London.
Getting Here
One New Change is located in the heart of the City area of London. The exact address is 1 New Change, London, EC4M 9AF.
The rooftop terrace is on the 6th floor and is reached by an elevator.
Multiple underground stations and bus lines are within a few blocks of One New Change.
The closest underground stations are St. Paul's and Mansion House. The nearest bus lines are 4, 76, 521.
You can use this Google Map for directions from any location.
Be sure to read our tips on navigating the London Underground.
Hours
The rooftop terrace is open daily from 6 am-midnight.
Note that the shops and restaurants have different hours from the terrace, so be sure to check the centre’s website for specifics.
THE VIEW
As you ride up in the glass elevator to the 6th Floor, you will see directly across from you St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Other sites you can see from the rooftop are the London Eye, Oxo Tower, and The Shard.
Both the London Eye and The Shard have exceptional views of London.
While these attractions charge a fee for visiting, there are several places to get great views of London for free!
VISITING ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
Why not combine your visit to One New Change with a stop at one of London’s most historic and beautiful sites, St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Over the centuries, there have been multiple churches on this site. The current cathedral, consecrated in 1708, was built by London’s most famous architect, Christopher Wren.
From conception to completion it took Wren over 9 years to design the church and then another 33 years to construct it.
Visiting St. Paul’s is one of the most popular things to do in London. It is free to attend a service in this stunning cathedral.
If you want to experience all of St. Paul’s magnificence, including its historic galleries, tombs, and domes, you will have to buy tickets.
Read our full post on how to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF LONDON
Besides getting a free skyline view of London at One New Change, or visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, there is plenty to do in the City of London.
The City of London is a part of greater London but is somewhat distinct in that it is one of the oldest parts of the city.
Within a small area, you can visit numerous historic and famous sites, many of which are known around the world.
First on the list is the famous (or infamous) Tower of London. The Tower’s construction began in 1071, and over the centuries was expanded by English Monarchs.
It has served as a royal palace, a fortress, a mint for coining money, a prison, and the site of many beheadings.
Another gem is Temple Church, a splendid 12th-century church where the initiation ceremonies of Knights Templar members took place.
Today, the church is a house of worship and can be visited for free by the public.
In sharp contrast is The Shard, which opened in 2013, and is one of the tallest buildings in the European Union at 309 m (1,104ft). The views of the London skyline are spectacular.
Discover more of the City of London by taking our self-guided City of London Tour, which also comes in an audio tour format.
