Primrose Hill
62-acre hilltop park in north London with panoramic skyline views from a 63-metre summit, one of the protected London viewpoints, open daily
62-acre hilltop park in north London with panoramic skyline views from a 63-metre summit, one of the protected London viewpoints, open daily
Primrose Hill is a 63-metre grass summit in north London with one of the city's finest panoramic views — protected since 1991, meaning nothing can ever obstruct the skyline. Just a steep slope, a William Blake quotation carved into stone, and all of London spread before you.
The hill sits north of Regent's Park, covering 62 acres of open grassland and public since 1842. On clear evenings the summit fills with Londoners watching the sun drop behind the BT Tower and West End rooftops.
The summit stands 63 metres above sea level, and on a clear day the view stretches from Hampstead Heath to Canary Wharf. Central London's landmarks line up like a model city: the BT Tower ahead, St Paul's to the right, the Shard and the Gherkin further east, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament to the south-west.
This is one of the protected vistas in London, meaning no new development can obstruct the panorama. A York stone plinth at the top carries a William Blake inscription: "I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill." On Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve, crowds gather to watch firework displays across the city.
There is almost no formal landscaping — no flower beds, no fountains, no sculpted hedges. The hill is a broad sweep of mown grass open on all sides, with scattered trees and a gentle path to the top. It feels less like a managed park and more like countryside the city grew around.
Most visitors walk straight up the grass rather than following the tarmac path. The round trip takes about 20 minutes, though many linger reading or picnicking. Facilities include a playground near London Zoo and the Trim Trail outdoor gym circuit. There are no cafes inside the park, so pick up supplies from Regent's Park Road beforehand.
The streets north of the park form Primrose Hill village, a neighbourhood of pastel-painted Victorian terraces and independent shops. Regent's Park Road is lined with bookshops, bakeries and wine bars — a pleasant place to eat or browse before or after climbing the hill.
A footbridge at the southern base crosses the Regent's Canal into London Zoo's grounds and on to Regent's Park, with Queen Mary's Gardens reachable within 15 minutes. Camden Town and its market are a 15-minute walk east along the canal towpath, a scenic route past narrowboats and willows that avoids the main roads.
Primrose Hill is entirely free — there are no paid activities or facilities within the park itself
Primrose Hill faces south and west, which makes it one of the best sunset spots in London. The sun drops behind the BT Tower and the West End skyline. Bring a blanket and arrive 30 minutes before sunset for the best light.
There are no cafes or kiosks inside the park. Pick up coffee and pastries from one of the excellent cafes on Regent's Park Road before you climb — Greenberry Cafe and Primrose Bakery are both nearby.
The Regent's Canal towpath runs along the south side of the hill. Turn east and walk to Camden Lock in about 15 minutes — a flat, scenic route past narrowboats and willow trees that avoids busy roads.
Cross the footbridge at the south of the hill to reach London Zoo and the northern end of Regent's Park. From there it is a short walk to Queen Mary's Gardens, the boating lake or the Open Air Theatre.
The hilltop is a popular gathering spot for watching fireworks across the London skyline on 5 November and 31 December. Arrive early to claim a good position — the summit gets very busy on both nights.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 28, 2026
