Guide to the Sky Garden; the Best Free Viewpoint in London
360-degree panoramic views of London; spot historical sights, vast green parks and iconic landmarks from 160 metres high and sit amongst lush green foliage. Read our guide for everything you need to know about visiting the Sky Garden; London’s highest public garden.
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One of the best things about London is the amount of free activities there are. It has a (well-earned) reputation for being an expensive city to visit or live in but, you can experience a lot of the UK’s bustling capital without actually spending a penny! Surprisingly, it’s also a great city to visit on a budget.
One of the best free things to do in London is visit one of the numerous free viewpoints. Forget spending over £30 to go up The Shard, there are plenty that offer practically the same view (or even better as you can see The Shard from other viewpoints) for free.
The Sky Garden has some of the best panoramic views of London. It’s also our favourite free viewpoint in London as, in addition to its incredible views over the city, it’s full of beautiful lush greenery and benches to sit, making it quite peaceful.
In this guide to the Sky Garden London, you’ll read about what to expect on arrival, the viewing platform and terrace and everything you need to know for your visit including location and how to get there, the best time to visit, how to book (free) tickets, facilities and more.
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About the Sky Garden London
The Sky Garden opened in 2015 in the building commonly nicknamed the “Walkie-Talkie Building” due to its distinctive shape.
It’s one of the most popular free viewpoints in London and as well as offering great views of the city, it’s a lovely spot to sit amongst the foliage and soak up the atmosphere which, despite being constantly busy, can feel rather peaceful.
On arrival at the Sky Garden, you’ll have your ticket scanned, go through an airport-style security check and have your bags searched. The checks themselves are quick but there may be a queue depending on how many people are booked on your time slot.
After the checks, you’ll be directed to the lifts and whisked to London’s highest public garden at 160 metres high on the 35th floor.
Stepping out onto the Sky Garden viewing platform you’ll be greeted by huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a glass ceiling with an amazing view across the River Thames to South London and beyond.
The Sky Garden is one of the only free viewpoints in London with 360-degree views over the iconic skyline.
Spend time walking around the entire viewing platform enjoying uninterrupted views of London’s renowned sights, historical landmarks, vast green spaces and impressive skyscrapers. Helpfully, there are signs on the windows telling you what you’re looking at.
The garden is split across 3 floors where there’s also a cafe and a couple of swanky bars and restaurants (that come with a hefty price tag!).
There’s also an open-air terrace which Horizon 22 and The Lookout are missing in our opinion. On a sunny day, the terrace is lovely to stand out on in the fresh air and soak up the best views of London.
What makes the Sky Garden really stand out for us compared to other free viewpoints in London, is the beautifully landscaped gardens.
A selection of drought-resistant Mediterranean and South African species that flourish year-round in full colour were chosen that work in harmony with the space.
Although probably the busiest viewpoint in London, the lush foliage makes it feel quite peaceful. Benches are scattered around where you can sit and soak up the incredible views and bustling yet serene atmosphere.
What You Need to Know to Visit the Sky Garden London
Booking the Sky Garden London
At probably the most popular viewpoint in London, we’d thoroughly recommend booking the Sky Garden London. Walk-ins are accepted, however, they’re not guaranteed as it depends on capacity.
Tickets are released every Monday morning, three weeks in advance and are booked here. They get snapped up quickly so book in plenty of time.
How to get to the Sky Garden
The Sky Garden London is located at 120 Fenchurch Street, 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF. Below are transport options and you can use Citymapper to plan your route.
- Tube: Monument, Tower Hill, Tower Gate, Aldgate, Bank and Mansion House are less than a 10-minute walk
- Bus: The following buses stop near The Sky Garden: 15, 25, 26, 35, 47, 149, 344, 388, N8, N15, N25, N133 and N550
- Trains: London Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and London Bridge are close
London Sky Garden opening hours
London Sky Garden is open seven days a week from early until late. Ticket holders can visit from 10am – 6pm during the week and 11am – 9pm on weekends and Bank Holidays. Hours for the bars and restaurants differ.
The best time to visit the Sky Garden
The best time to visit the Sky Garden in terms of busyness is during the week with the first available time slot. For the most epic photos, sunset is the best time to visit.
Facilities and Accessibility
- Fully accessible with level access to the entrance and there are lifts to the Sky Garden level
- Four event spaces and restaurants which can be booked for private hire
- A relaxed cafe which doesn’t require bookings with several tables and chairs where you can buy soft drinks and snacks
- Two restaurants and two bars which require bookings
- No storage facilities so don’t bring large bags or suitcases
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the Sky Garden London. If you have any questions or want to say hi, leave a comment below and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to keep updated with us in real-time.
Also, make sure to read some of our other London guides below.
