Duration
1 hour
Best Time
Afternoon
Price
€
Setting
Outdoor
About Sky Garden
The Sky Garden sits on floors 35-37 of 20 Fenchurch Street, wrapping around the building's curved glass walls. You get unobstructed sightlines to Tower Bridge, the Shard, St Paul's Cathedral, and straight down the Thames. The actual garden sections are smaller than expected-mostly Mediterranean shrubs and South African plants arranged on terraces, but they're secondary to those floor-to-ceiling windows.
The visit flows counterclockwise around the building's perimeter. Start on the west side for Tower Bridge views, then work around to see Canary Wharf and the City. The two bars get crowded by midday, but the observation areas stay manageable. Security checks take 10-15 minutes, and lifts are surprisingly fast to the top.
Honestly, calling this London's 'highest public garden' oversells the plants-you're here for the views, and they're spectacular. The 90-minute time limit feels rushed during sunset slots. Skip the overpriced restaurants unless you've booked dinner specifically for the window seats. The free admission makes this unbeatable value, but the booking system is genuinely frustrating.
Insider Tips
Enter through the main lobby on Fenchurch Street-the Sky Garden Walk entrance is just for deliveries and often confuses first-time visitors
Most people cluster on the south side for Thames views, but the north windows offer better shots of the Barbican towers and you'll have more space
Book exactly 3 weeks in advance when the booking window opens at 10am-set a phone reminder because popular weekend slots disappear within hours
Practical Details
Getting There
Address
1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, UK
Neighborhood
City of LondonNearest Metro
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan for about 1 hour.
Sky Garden is in the City of London neighborhood of London. The address is 1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, UK. The area is well-served by metro.
This works well at any time of day, though mornings tend to be quieter. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
Comfortable shoes are recommended. Check the weather forecast and dress in layers, especially in shoulder seasons.
Nearby in City of London
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