Sky Garden

The basics

Looking for a particularly impressive way to experience London’s skyline? Head to the aptly named Sky Garden, which pairs city views with lush greenery. Tickets for the public area are free for all visitors. You need to reserve them in advance, and they provide access for an hour.

If you’d like to stay longer, make a reservation at one of the bars and restaurants on the top floor (you’ll need to buy food or drinks). As tickets are hard to come by, Sky Garden tours aren’t common, but a handful of private guides visit.

Things to know before you go

• The Sky Garden is a great choice for photographers, social media mavens, architecture junkies, and garden lovers.

• The free Sky Garden tickets go quickly—book on the Monday three weeks before you plan to visit.

• The restaurants are climate-controlled, but the bars and public gardens are at ambient outdoor temperatures. Dress warmly at cooler times of the year.

• The Sky Garden is an inclusive, accessible space with wheelchair-friendly bathrooms. Strollers are not a problem.

How to get there

The Sky Garden perches atop 20 Fenchurch Street, the skyscraper better known as the Walkie Talkie, in the heart of the City of London. Bank (Central, DLR, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines) and Monument (Circle and District lines) are the best tube stations. Monument is closer than Bank, but it won’t take longer than five minutes to walk from either.

When to get there

The Sky Garden is usually open from early morning to around midnight on Sunday through Thursday. It stays open an hour later Friday through Saturday, although its individual venues have different hours. Free tickets for the public garden are available mid-morning to evening, Monday through Friday. They’re also on offer from late morning to late evening on weekends and bank holidays.

London’s best free viewing platforms

As an alternative, there’s the Garden at 120 down Fenchurch Street. It’s up 15 stories, rather than Sky Garden’s 35, but larger and more open to the elements with a water feature. The 58th-floor Horizon 22 is London’s highest free viewing platform, but you need advance tickets to visit. While lower than other decks, the views from Level 10 at Tate Modern look straight across the river to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Ways to explore

Sky Garden is one of the few free observation decks in London—tickets don’t cost a thing, but you need to be quick when reserving your spot online as tickets tend to book out fast. Tickets are released every week, three weeks in advance. Booking a spot at one of the bars or restaurants grants you access to the gardens and lets you enjoy them for longer. You can feast on fine-dining fusion cuisine at the Fenchurch Restaurant or British classics at the Darwin Brasserie; both are open from breakfast until dinner.

Accessibility

Sky Garden has step-free access to all floors, with elevators at the Philpot Lane and Rood Lane entrances.

Age limits

Children under 16 can’t enter Sky Garden after 6pm on weekdays and 9pm on weekends unless accompanied by an adult with dinner reservations. Under 16s must also be accompanied by an adult over 18 at all times.

What to pack

Photo ID to drink

What to wear

Layers for partially open-air gardens

Not allowed

Pets excluding service animals, outside food and drink, balloons, beachwear, baseball caps in the restaurants

Amenities

Gift shop, café, restrooms, bars, restaurants, Wi-Fi

Address

Sky Garden is in central London, where sleek skyscrapers sit beside ancient churches. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Tower of London, so it’s an excellent addition to visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Driving

You should avoid driving in central London, as traffic jams are common and your vehicle will be subject to a daily charge. Plus, parking can be a nightmare, so flag a black cab if you prefer a car.

Public transportation

Monument station on the District and Circle Line of the London Underground is just a few minutes’ walk from Sky Garden. For more tube options, disembark at Bank station (a 5-minute walk), which is on the Central, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines.

Best times to visit

The views from Sky Garden are most fabulous at sunset, as London’s skyline looks extra impressive bathed in golden light.

Best days to visit

The public garden stays open until 9pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, so visit then to see the city when it’s illuminated with twinkling lights.

Best months to visit

Expect the clearest skies and best visibility in spring and summer, from March through September.

Special events

Sky Garden’s bars and restaurants host a lively selection of events ranging from live music performances to wine-tasting sessions. You can also take a morning yoga class among the greenery.