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If it's free, it's for me lol what a beautiful view of London. Make sure you secure your spot in advance online. Reserve early. The first slot is 10AM, which is the most ideal in my opinion. The staff is nice. The lines are quick. There is a quick scan upfront, so be prepared to have your bags checked. They have drinks and seating at the viewing area. This was my first time here and won't be my last.
Book one month in advance for a free city view of London. Nothing beats free, especially when traveling. We were very fortunate to have a clear, rain free trip in London. We could see Tower Bridge from the observatory. The building had natural light coming through the glass ceiling windows and plenty of seating to rest. We relaxed here for a few hours because there's no time limit.
I've never heard of this pace which I should have done some research beforehand. We were with friends from Manchester which one person mentioned it. Well clearly no one did their research which we found out. You would need to book a reservation which none of us had. The front security did mentioned that we probably could get in the no ticket line. So we had to speak to security at the entrance to see if any walk in was available. There was two line, to the right is where you go with tickets. To the left is walk in line which if you didn't know, it would just look like one line. We manage to get through in walk in but it was about a 10/15 minutes wait. There were a couple people in the same situation as we were without ticket and they were told to come into our line even through they were in the first line until to the front. We finally got let in, which they and had to go to another little check in area. Security and from there take the elevator up to the top floor. It was quite busy waiting for the lift as some people only went in with their group even though there were more room for people. Once on top, it's first come first serve in seating. There were plenty of tables and lounges to go around. The main area had the view section that is one part of the sky garden. It is what it is, a sky garden. You can go out to the lookout for the city. There's signs on the glass so you know where you're looking out too. It was amazing views but as it was starting to rain and getting cloudy, it did affect the view. Of course, it did rain and they ended up closing the door to the outside. Most of us never made out to see anything. There's also views along the side and the back of the garden but main outdoor view was closed due to rain. There's a chalet right in the middle where some food and drinks are served. They could have done it way better as there was only one guy working the register so it took a while. And 2 people along the side making the food and hot drinks. Food was simple? Nothing major. We got a couple toasties, pizza slices and a Caesar salad. Pizza was whatever but the toasties were good. At least they were made fresh. The salad, that was pretty bad. Premade bowl with eggs, bacon and chicken and croutons. But the lettuces were brown and wilted. Don't think it was fresh and sat for a while. They have the main restaurant on the top part which also has views of everything but they didn't open till 5pm for dinner. Stairs along the sides has the garden to one side and there's another seating area at the top of the garden. You get the view of all sides which is great. The whole concept is great but obviously it would have been better when the sun was out and not raining. But it's London, you never know what you'll get. Also you have to Que as well for the lift to get back down. At least there was security guiding that.
A must do if it's your first time in London. We made sure to set an alarm weeks in advance to notify us when to grab free tickets , since they sell out fast! Upon entrance, you'll go through a thorough security check point, before entering the elevator. The elevator will take you to the 35th floor, where you'll experience 360 degree views of London. Landmarks are identified, and there are many various floor levels to explore views. A bar area with refreshments and pastries, abundant seating, a restaurant, lavatories, and beautiful tropical landscaped plants all reside in the Sky Garden. There's a covered outdoor area as well to explore more for London views! There's no time limit on how long you stay. We probably spent about an hour to an hour and a half here. Plenty of photo opportunities!
Sky Garden is a free public garden with a 360 view of the city's spectacular skyline. The visit is free, but you must make reservations about 3 weeks in advanced in order to secure a spot, or be a guest at one of the restaurant or bars on the upper level. The downside of a free experience is that it can get really crowded. We were not aware of this experience until after the free tickets were all sold out, so my boyfriend actually made a reservation at Darwin Brasserie. Not recommended if you're a local. That will be its' separate review. Anyways back to the Sky Garden. Upon arrival you will go through a bag scanning and metal detector check point. From there, there are 2 elevators, or lifts, going up and down between the ground floor and the 35th floor. Between the 35th, 36th, and 37th floors are stairs. SAFETY ALERT. Plenty of inconsiderate people are busy posing on the stairs and act like a true hazard as you try to go up and down these stairs. Management and staff should really go something to ensure safety for every else. Maybe put up a boundary or photo area so that the rest of the stairs can be used as it was intended. We came on a rainy day so the outdoor area was restricted. Nevertheless the views of the city from behind the glass was nice. I'm sure it would have been an even better experience if it wasn't raining.
The views are amazing, even on an overcast day. The garden inside the building is beautiful and so well maintained. The tickets are free, but you do need to plan ahead and reserve times. Tickets are released 30 days in advance. You can also do a combination brunch and tickets which is what we did.
Absolutely gorgeous both inside and out! Lush garden to walk around in right next to the bar, and incredible views of the city. There are even tables right next to the window so you can sip a cocktail and watch the world go by. It can get a little chilly by the big windows, so there were seat warmers in each chair which was absolutely the cherry on top of an excellent experience!
Great views of London. 360 perspective. Best part is that it's free! You do need to book a *free* ticket ahead of time for a specific time slot. As we arrived, there was another couple that did not have a ticket and they were turned away. With a clear sky, you can see a lot of the really impressive skyline and the windows are also marked with what major landmarks are potentially visible. Ideal timeframe is sunset but definitely look ahead for this timeframe as it's the most in demand. You can also stop in for food and drinks but we didn't get anything.
With untoppable views and climate control year-round, Sky Garden is a must-visit for your London visit. Spend time inside and out, with landmark labels in the glass as you make the circuit. Book early and often, starting Mondays 10 am UK time for two weeks in advance, to assure you can reserve your FREE time slot, since it's nearly 0% chance they'll have walk-in spots available otherwise. You're near plenty of other attractions before/after, with convenient transit stops a few hundred metres away. You can linger longer with a drink etc, or buy evening tickets for the top-shelf version. Fall/winter you'll have some great time spots to see sunset/dusk as well, which is probably the best viewing times, but unavailable in the longer-daylight months since closing is 5 pm for free times.
Well, I had manifested it for long time and even got the ticket (Monday morning, it opens) So is it only me or it happens with you guys too? When I reached there, whole building was shut down due to some protest. And it was my last day of trip and after 3 hrs, I had flight to catch. Anyway, It is located in the financial district in the city of London near Fenchurch Street. The top floor of what is affectionately known as the walkie-talkie building it's not difficult to spot. You can spot it pretty much from whichever direction you are coming from after all it does actually looks a bit like a walkie-talkie. You can also see the large area on the top floor which is where the Sky Garden is located. London has a lot of pretty parks and green spaces, but one thing sets the Sky Garden London apart; it's London's highest public garden It's also absolutely free to visit and offers visitors stunning views of some of the city's most iconic landmarks. Free entry, gorgeous views and lots of lovely greenery; you'd be missing a trick if you didn't add the Sky Garden to your London itinerary. It is around a 20-minute walk from London Bridge mainline tube and national rail station, where you can find the Jubilee line. Alternatively, you can get the DLR to Tower Gateway close to the Tower of London.
Amazing, one word of advice book early and don't wait for the last minute. Upon arrival you know you're in the right place because is the sign and it pretty exiting. To avoid the wait just make a reservation to one of the restaurants on the top. Me I was t sure if we wanted to have lunch there so we did it the hard way of booking in advance. Once inside and on the top floor it is pretty amazing to see trees that is almost touching the glass ceiling. I grabbed a pastry and coffee while my partner roamed around enjoying the different species of plants. We went outside and saw almost a 360 degrees of the skylune, a great photo op. it didn't disappoint!
2 years ago
There are 2 sides of the bar and they don't tell you where you're going to be seated until you get there. Unfortunately for us, along with the other half of the people who were there, got seated on the bar with NO view. We had to walk around and stand to see the view on the regular side. read more
The Sky Garden occupies the 35th to 37th floors of the 20 Fenchurch Street building. I had thought it was three floors full of flora walkways, but the 36th and 37th floors are more of balconies primarily reserved for restaurants. Plants are mainly alongside the stairs rather than throughout the floor. I think it would be a nice place to relax alongside the skyline views in early mornings when it is not so crowded. Inside was full of people early Sunday afternoon with most of the seats taken. The views from the strip of outside terrace was disappointing due to the glass wall severely streaked from stains and dirt. Skyscrapers and historical landmarks can be spotted, but any sightings or pictures won't be clear. Tickets are free and released every Monday. A reservation at a restaurant lets you fast track the security check against those with general admission. Surprisingly there are only two elevators transporting people between the ground floor and the Sky Garden, and so both directions had a queue. Wi-Fi barely works; I managed to successfully connect only once. read more
It's a really cool place to visit. You can book tickets in advance to get ahead of the line. Or you can show up with no ticket and wait a bit. You go through an airport style security scanner and then the elevator up into the sky in this building that looks either like a cheese grater or a walk-in talkie. It's a 360 degree view garden with lots of trees and plants and all floor to glass window. You can walk outside facing the river, but most of it's inside. There are a few bar areas and a very very expensive restaurant. Plenty of seating areas and you don't need to buy anything. Everything is free. You can see many of the big landmarks from here. Lots of space to move around but the elevator wait times are too long. read more
2 years ago
It's better than the London Eye Ferris wheel thing. Sky Garden is amazing. The views are stunning, and the food at Darwin Brasserie was delicious. Get your brunch reservations in advance. We booked ours two months out. read more
What's up: We wanted a place with a view of London and after talking to a friend, she recommended we look into the Sky Garden. Parking: We traveled via Tube and walked here. Environment: The line to get in can wrap around the building and for the most part, it is outdoors. You should start lining up about 5-10 minutes before your reservation time; any earlier and you'll be asked to leave and come back later. Show your ticket at the door and then scan it on the machine when you enter. Once you pass the barrier, your bags will need to be sent through an x-ray machine and you'll walk through a metal detector (think TSA). Board the elevator and you'll finally arrive at the garden. Gender neutral restrooms are located near the elevators and they all have their own sinks within the stalls (so convenient). There is an outdoor terrace view, but we missed out on it because they close the area off when the weather is bad. The garden also has restaurants, bars, and seating areas. What was ordered: You will need to make reservations (on their website) for the specific tour date/time in advance; they also have spots for walk-ins too. Print out a copy of the ticket or have it handy on your smart phone. Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. Best thing about this observation deck is that it is FREE! All you have to do is make a reservation ahead of time and you get to see a cool garden and get a nice view of London at the same time. read more
After hearing a great deal about this place- including that it was free to go- I decided to reserve a spot and spend an afternoon gazing down at the tiny humans and impressive structures below. It was fun for all of about 5 minutes, after which I went to the bar with the unfriendly staff and ordered an overpriced meal and a boozy hot chocolate. Were they good? Yes. Were they worth the price? No. They also have a restaurant on the same floor, but after perusing the menu, I realized I'd have to sign my life away to afford dining in the mediocre atmosphere. So, no, to that experience. The view is impressive, however- especially outside on the viewing deck- and I did capture quite a few impressive shots for my Instagram feed to make the trip worth it. Just be sure to dress appropriately as it does get frigid up there- especially during the Winter. During the day isn't the best time to come, as the city doesn't look half as impressive as during the night. My suggestion is that, during the Winter months, you try to snag a ticket as late in the afternoon as possible, and staying until the sun sets. That should get you extra brownie points on the social media sites and make the trip more worthwhile. Also, make sure you check their site for any restrictions on things you can take up there so you don't get stuck at security. read more
3 years ago
I would have given five stars just for the views. We were left with very bad taste by folks doing security. They didn't guide us or any one be else for anything and when we were trying to wrap up and quickly and move they pointed out mistakes on how not to wrap up. Plus the security guys were doing hidden signs and snickering as if English is not our first language. Please help investigate so that folks who like the original thought and restaurant are not driven away to other building like the shard which I have given 5 star to! read more
7 years ago
World class building in the heart of London, providing you with 360 degree views of this glorious city. Be sure to book your free tickets in advance and get their early to enjoy the beautiful architecture and breathtaking views. There is an open air deck, where you can feel the fresh air and capture pictures of the Thames River. We did not have a reservation at their formal dining room, but you can enjoy an espresso drink, tea, and a great selection of pastries at their breakfast bar. I was surprised at the amount of open seating areas throughout the first, second, and third levels. Totally worth the wait and another "must see" for your travel plans! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Its a 7:45pm reservation on a cloudy day. You can't see much, suggest you come earlier. Its free to enter, make sure you book online before you come. The cocktail is expensive and not much alcohol in it( almost 0) You can enjoy as much as long you want. There are restaurants in the garden. Because always clouded, you can't get seat on a same day. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
After 6pm they charge for entry. During the day it's free! I paid 18pounds for entry and it came with a glass of champagne. There was live music playing, beautiful views of the city, and a bubbly glass of champagne. What more do you need to end a beautiful long day walking the city of London! read more
You (maybe) CAN enter without reservations. I did. I only knew about the Sky Garden after I arrived in London but it was too late for reservations. Even in the lowish season (late Nov-early Dec), you need a week out to reserve something. But I read somewhere if you show up before 10am (I showed up around 9:45) they'll let you in. He asked if I have reservation, I said no and he just let me in without even me needing to grovel! The view was nice and it's FREE! They have a restaurant and a bar too where I had a pastry & coffee for under £5. Nice spot to spend the morning. Once you're up, you can spend as long as you want up here. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
I found out about this place from a Travel Youtuber I watch and I'm so glad I did. They suggested this place instead of London Eye for views. I didn't go to the London Eye and just went here instead so I personally cannot compare it. However, it is free but you must make reservations in order to get in. Make sure you do this ahead of time! Head up on the elevator and enjoy the views. It is beautiful in there. You can see everything! I also loved the fact that they had important places to look out for on the windows so you knew where to look instead of guessing on where something is. I loved the 'Garden' aspect inside. I didn't get any drinks or food, but it is available for you. I loved that you could look inside as well as outside for all the amazing views. read more
7 years ago
You must book three weeks in advance to get in! LOOP HOLE: you can make reservations at one of the restaurants to get in if you don't have a reservation for sky garden. I went to fenchurch but you have to make sure you go in time so you don't get charged for no show which is £25pp for a late show up or no show. The views are gorgeous and it's not too big. I'd recommend checking this place out if you want a sky view of London. read more
2 years ago
I would never recommend anyone to come here first off. My experience is based off of the pre purchase cocktail and small plates ticket you can reserve ahead of time for 43pounds each so roughly 130 for 3 people.. Our reservation was at 9pm and we arrived at 8:50pm and was promptly seated after going through TSA level security. We sat down and our waiter didn't attend to us after about 15 mins of waiting. When we were finally prompted and greeted we each chose a drink from the menu which only had about 5 options. Waited another 15 mins before we got our drink. Drinks were either spritzer cocktails or a champagne. Our drink came and then we never saw our waiter again, after about another 30 mins and our glasses empty we had to beg another waiter to take our order as everyone seemed to forget about our table as if they made ignoring us a priority. Other tables received normal service around us to make a comparison, as visually you can see the difference in attention they receive. When we were finally able to order our small plates it took them about another 30 mins to make cold plates which were nothing complex like salads, and pre made items. We received our plates and once again became non existent. We were never served water. Never asked how anything was or if we would like another drink. I ended up just walking away because at 130 lbs you expect a level of service that wasn't even meet with the most basic of human service. We spent so much time waiting and being ignored that nothing was enjoyable not even the view. It's not hard to serve cold pre made small plates that are not complex. If you're looking to pay for people to ignore you for 43lbs a person this is the place to come to. I wouldn't even come here for free or even if someone paid me too. You can get better service and food at the pretz mark downstairs. Keep in mind we were informed service would be stopped at 10:30pm. If you didn't want to serve us it would have been nice to tell us that upfront instead of keeping us waiting for more then an hour so we wouldn't be able to order anything extra from the 8 items available. read more
I am deathly afraid of heights and I am in shock that I actually went up! The Sky Garden is completely free, I would suggest to make reservations way in advance that way you have no issues entering! Entrance is in the back of the hotel, but if you end up in the Hotel Lobby the staff there are really nice and will direct you to the correct entrance. Thankful that the line was pretty short even with our reservation, you go through security so be courteous! The elevators go up so fast, 35 flights and you're up in minute or less, so crazy. When you're up you're immediately greeted with a bar and next to the bar a patio with a view of the city! Truly my knees were shaking just being on the patio but it is truly safe. There is a restaurant at the top of the Sky Garden accessible by climbing a couple flights of stairs. The views are breathtaking, I can't believe I did this. I would recommend coming here, having a lovely dinner or drinks while taking in the view of the city! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Visited at night so can't truly attest for the overall views. Wanted to go back in the day time but they're closed for upkeep on Mondays. The staff was pleasant and gracious. They were able to fit us in without a reservation. Our server gets 5 stars for his first shift. I believe his name was Eden. He is a superstar in the making. No special occasion, just on vacation. read more
Where else are you going to find a 360 view of London for free?! Yes, it's completely free, but you do need to reserve your tickets online beforehand. Be sure to have your tickets ready at the door and they will only let you in at the time of your ticket slot. There's a quick security check before you're whisked away up the elevators to the top floor. The views are gorgeous as there's a 3-story floor to ceiling glass windows surrounding you. Inside, there's a bar, restaurant, and a lot of garden greenery to hang around and grab a drink. You can also admire the cityscape from the balcony overlooking The Shard, Tower of London, etc. read more
4 years ago
A must stop for a break in the rain and a perfect view of the city. You can see all sides of London from up here and enjoy a fun cocktail or nice glass of beer or wine while you're at it. Make reservations early and give yourself time to sit down and enjoy. Fun to be here at sunset and follow up your visit at a nearby restaurant! read more
8 years ago
This was an awesome way to view the city. Skip the London Eye and book your tickets for Sky Garden. We booked our tickets a couple days in advance, and our walk over took longer than we thought. My husband called and they said if we made it in 10 minutes they'd reserve our spot. We ended up making it with one minute to spare. Once we made it to the top, we ordered a ham and cheese croissant, a salmon sandwich, coffee, and lemonade from the cafe. The food was actually not bad! We were able to sit and relax for 10-15 minutes, and then we made our way out to the deck. After snapping dozens of pics outside (we were outside for over 20 minutes), we ventured back inside to enjoy the beautiful garden views. This place won't disappoint you. read more
2 years ago
Walked in during the morning and got a ticket to the top. It came w a free drink but the line was too long for a soda. Great views and laid back. You could sit and soak in the scenery instead of feeling rushed. read more
8 years ago
Wow!! This place has some phenominal 360 degree views of London. My friend and I were able to spot many local landmarks and the views lasted for miles. You can even details like people walking around, buses, gardens on top of buildings, restaurant tables, and trains moving. Plus, what a perfect, sunny day! We were very impressed. The garden was nice and looked pretty with the exotic plants. There were some nice spots for pictures or to blend in with the jungle like atmosphere. However, we thought it needed some more foliage or a waterfall perhaps. There was a restaurant and a bar, but we did not get to try it. Clever idea with the tree trunk seats and tables. Also, the coaches were a nice touch. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
Amazing views. Perfect spot to hang out on couches, have food and drinks, and enjoy stellar views of the city. Is a much better experience when the balcony is open so make sure to check if it is open read more
4 years ago
The biggest tip is to book this ahead of time. It says that you can book AS MUCH AS 3 weeks ahead, but when I wanted to book a certain date it opened up only 2 weeks ahead. Basically, keep checking it. They did kick people out of line for not having reservations, so just do it. The alternative is to make reservations via one of the restaurants, but make sure you have proof of it somehow because someone tried to get in and they were denied. Come early because you have to wait in a long line for security check. They x-ray your bags and scan you with the metal detector. It doesn't matter that you reserved ahead of time, you still have to wait in line. I came to watch the sunset and I barely squeezed in before it went down. This is the free alternative to paying a bunch of money to go up the shard, and IMO is completely worth it. read more
2 years ago
9 years ago
London is not a cheap city. Any visitor will attest that if you find something free in London, take advantage of it. The Sky Garden is no exception. You get a fantastic view of London, and its free... just make sure to book your reservation at least 3 weeks prior. We went on a Wednesday at 3:00. Originally we were aiming for a morning visit, but thought about morning overcast. Well, London is generally overcast most of the time, so 3:00 didn't really make a huge difference, as it was gloomy and drizzly. Still, an amazing view. The place has restaurants and a café. We took advantage of the free seating throughout the atrium, and ordered beverages to enjoy the view. If you can't find a table in the front of the Sky Garden, there are hidden places throughout the area. Take the stairs up and you'll find more tables, benches, and chairs. Supposedly they check ID but this visit they just let us in with our passes, and then we went through the TSA style security. No real time limit on our visit, but I would say we spent about an hour and a half there. There are toilets but the queue was longer than the café. Soooo be prepared to wait if you need to use them. read more
4 years ago
A lovely space and great way to see the city at night! Tickets are difficult to get, but I still managed to get 6 because I planned early enough. It was crowded, but we were still able to find seating. I entered at 7:45 and the space cleared out a lot by 9. Around 8:45, the employees came by to tell us all the seating was reserved, but we walked about the space. read more
3 years ago
Incredible view at the top! Make sure to reserve your free tickets in advance. There's an outdoor viewing platform facing the Thames River. You can walk around the interior to the other side where there are large windows for additional viewing. The space at the top floor feels spacious and there's even a restaurant. The vegetation and other natural elements add to the tranquility of the scenery. read more
7 years ago
Excellent view of London. The best, it is free! You can try to line up in front of the building wait for your turn, or you can get a free ticket with the day and time you want to visit the Sky Garden. Maximum 6 tickets per reservation. The views are excellent, as good as the London eye but free! They have couple bars in the Sky Garden you can purchase drinks or snacks. Many area or chairs are available you can set down and enjoys the time! read more
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Sky Garden - landmarks - Updated August 2026
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