The View of St Paul’s Cathedral from
Waterlow Park
When Sir Sydney Waterlow gifted the grounds of his estate to the people of London as a “garden for the gardenless,” he offered more than just meadows, orchards, kitchen gardens, and a boating lake. He bestowed upon Londoners a unique vantage point in Highgate, where they could admire sweeping views of the city below. As one-time Lord Mayor of London, Waterlow understood the significance of this perspective. His statue now stands overlooking the park, symbolically gazing toward the view of London and St Paul’s Cathedral—a reminder to cherish both his generous gift and its remarkable location.
Finding the View Today
To see St Paul’s Cathedral from Waterlow Park today requires knowing where to stand, as tree cover has altered vantage points over time. Historically, the best view was from the edge of the formal garden near Lauderdale House. While winter reveals clearer sightlines as leaves fall away, modern buildings have also reshaped the skyline, sometimes obscuring landmarks. This evolving urban landscape has prompted efforts to protect treasured views like that of St Paul’s.
Protected Sightlines and Advocacy
A view designation group is working to secure formal protection for this sightline, ensuring future visitors can appreciate the iconic dome as generations before them have done.
London’s skyline includes protected sightlines to St Paul’s Cathedral under the London Plan—such as those from Archway Bridge, Kenwood, and Parliament Hill. Advocates for Waterlow Park’s view aim to add it to this list, preserving its cultural and historical significance for years to come.
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Historical Perspectives on the View
From The Illustrated London News (November 30th, 1889):
“The twenty-nine acres of land henceforth to be freely open for recreation combine all that such an estate can present of natural beauty in the vicinity of London… From its turfy undulations one can look right over the top of the cross on St Paul’s Cathedral.”
From Langley & Sons Guide to Waterlow Park (1895):
Carlyle described the scene as:
“Wide sweep of flowery, leafy gardens… issuing in wide-tufted undulating plain country… behind all swam… big St Paul’s, with its many memories hanging high over all.”
Another passage highlights early morning views:
“The best opportunity for distinguishing prominent features of London is at very early morning before it has donned its mantle of haze… then it is possible to assign names to every building whose altitude or bulk singles it out from the rest.”
These historical accounts capture how generations have marvelled at this unique perspective—a testament to its enduring appeal.
