On my trip to Italy, my basic rule was - if I saw stairs, I climbed them - St. Peter's, Monte Gianicolo, all the towers and churches, etc., etc., etc. It not only lead to dramatic views, but offset all of the rich food I was eating and it just felt good. Other than St. Pauls, I was wondering what other sites there are in the city that offer great views?

The top floor of the Tate Modern has great views back across the river, and if you take the stairs, it will give you some exercise.

The Monument, 200 feet, about 300 steps.

Well it doesn't offer great views, but if exercise is what you want, take the tube. Some of the stations have a ridiculous amount of stairs. If the elevator is broken you are really in for a climb. You've never climbed until you've taken the stairs at the Covent Garden station (or was it the Leceister Square station?). Seems like I wouldn't forget that climb.

There is no climbing involved but the London Eye offers a great view.

<BR>Try climbing the fence at Buckingham palace, and be sure that your spouse is taking pictures while you do this.<BR><BR>Seriously, it doesn't involve climbing, but if you want great views, try the London Eye.

Without a doubt, climb to thee top of the dome at St. Pauls.<BR><BR>Beautiful view and a strenous climb.

Thanks, Steve. Then I can get some exercise scaling the prison wall. :0

The tower of Westminster (Catholic) Cathedral on Victoria Street: http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/geninfo.htm

Never done the Tower Bridge, but can you climb stairs i/o taking an elevator?<BR>How about the campanile at Westminster Cathedral?

Definitely St Pauls. But my favorite "climb" is a walk through Hampstead Heath. It is all up and down hill (mostly Up Hill) from the tube station up into the parkland and across to the Spaniards Inn and back through beautiful residential areas into the billage to the tube. The views and wide open spaces are wonderful after a few hectic days in London.

Greenwich Park has a steep climb up from the Queens House to the Royal Observatory (Greenwich Mean Time)with wonderful views across the River Thames

Make that Village - not billage <BR><BR>And I second a visit to Greenwich. Nice views and a lot of up hill -

It isn't a climb but the parks are big and should bring you to your knees. Any of the parks already mentioned are good but Hyde and Kensington which are connected make for a long walk.<BR><BR>You can climb the Tower Bridge although there may be an entrance fee. The bridge has two towers, one on each side. You walk up the stairs to one, across the pasageway between them and down the other side.

Vita,<BR><BR>How about the relatively unknown monument to the great fire of London? Its about 200 feet high, with a platform at the top. On Monument Street (wonder where they came up with that name?)<BR><BR>You'll have no problems walking off your calories in London!<BR><BR>Dave White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com