London’s Sky Garden is a free viewing platform 155 metres above the city on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building. You get 360-degree views over the Thames, Tower Bridge, The Shard and the City’s skyscrapers, all wrapped in a lush indoor garden.
The catch? You need to book ahead. Tickets are released three weeks in advance and disappear fast. Here’s everything you need to know from a Londoner who’s been several times
Sky Garden London at a Glance
📍 Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
🏢 Location: 35th-37th floors of 20 Fenchurch Street (Walkie Talkie building)
📏 Height: 155 metres above street level
💰 Entry cost: Free with advance booking
🕐 Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10am-6pm
- Weekends & bank holidays: 11am-9pm
🎫 Tickets released: Every Monday morning (three weeks in advance)
🚇 Nearest Tube: Monument (3 minutes walk)
⏱️ Visit duration: 1 hour slots (loosely enforced)
How to Book Sky Garden Tickets
Sky Garden entry is free, but you must book a timed slot in advance to guarantee admission. Here’s how it works:
New tickets are released every Monday morning (excluding bank holidays) for visits three weeks ahead. They go quickly, especially for weekends and sunset slots.
Booking slots are for one hour, though I’ve never seen staff enforce this strictly.
Opening times:
- Monday to Friday: 10 am to 6 pm
- Weekends and bank holidays: 11 am to 9 pm
- Bars and restaurants have extended hours
Book tickets on the Sky Garden website
How to Visit Without Booking a Free Ticket
If you can’t snag a free ticket, you have options:
Walk-in tickets are available, subject to capacity. It’s a gamble but sometimes works, especially on weekday mornings.
Book a sunrise experience – much on a pastry washed down with a hot beverage between 8.15 and 9.15 am. More information here.
Book breakfast or lunch at Larch Restaurant on the ground floor. Your reservation includes entry to the Sky Garden after you have dined.
Reserve a table for an evening meal at the Sky Garden’s Darwin Brasserie or Fenchurch Restaurant. Reservations open 60 days ahead, and you can arrive 30 mintes early to look around before your booking.
Where to Eat at the Sky Garden
- Sky Pod Bar – all-day dining and evening cocktails (Level 35)
- City Garden Bar – east-facing cocktail bar (Level 35)
- Darwin Brasserie – weekend breakfast, brunch and all-day British dining overlooking the Thames (Level 36)
- Fenchurch Restaurant – contemporary British with Caribbean influences (Level 37)
- Larch Restaurant – Italian dishes on the ground floor
If you’re dining in a restaurant, skip the main queue and use the separate restaurant entrance to the right of reception.
Best Time to Visit
Whatever slot you book, visitor numbers are controlled so it never feels crushingly busy.
Late afternoon is ideal if you can choose. You’ll catch sunset over London and watch the city lights come on. Since free ticket holders leave by 6pm, this only works in winter when it gets dark early, or if you book dinner.
For photography, morning light tends to be clearer, though reflections in the windows are always an issue. Hold your phone or camera lens right against the glass to minimise glare. Tripods aren’t allowed.
What to Expect
After airport-style security (allow time for bag checks), you take a lift to the 35th floor. The main viewing area wraps around three levels with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The outdoor terrace on Level 35 gives you the best unobstructed views, though London’s weather is unpredictable. Security can close it without warning if conditions turn nasty, so don’t bank on outdoor access.
The garden itself is worth your time. Landscape architects Gillespies designed terraced levels planted with Mediterranean and South African species: palms, African lilies, birds of paradise, lavender and rosemary. It’s genuinely lovely, not just a token few potted plants.
The Views
Looking south, The Shard dominates.
To the east, you’ll spot the Tower of London and Tower Bridge (one of London’s most iconic bridges), with Canary Wharf’s cluster of skyscrapers beyond.
To the north, are some of London’s most famous buildings: – the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, NatWest Tower. West brings St Paul’s Cathedral and the BT Tower in the distance.
On a clear day, everything is laid out like a detailed model. It’s one of my favourite London viewpoints precisely because you’re high enough to get a real perspective but not so high that details blur.
Getting There
The visitor entrance is on Philpot Lane at the southwest corner of 20 Fenchurch Street.
- Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
- Closest Tube: Monument (3 minutes walk)
- Other nearby stations: Bank, Tower Hill, Tower Gateway, Aldgate and Mansion House (all within 10 minutes)
- Mainline stations: Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and London Bridge
- Bus: Route 40 stops nearby
The Sky Garden vs. The Shard
The Shard is taller (310 metres) and its viewing platform does have the edge on sweeping panoramas. But The Shard usually costs £30+ for tickets.
Sky Garden is free, has greenery to walk through, and you’re still high enough for spectacular views. For my money, Sky Garden wins unless you’re desperate for that extra altitude.
If you want to visit The Shard without paying viewing platform prices, consider booking afternoon tea at Aqua Shard instead (it’s wonderful).
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman is a Londoner and has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.