Best for
Anyone wanting free panoramic London views, photographers
Time needed
1 hour
Worth it?
Yes — one of the best free views in London if you can secure a ticket
Skip if
You can't plan ahead enough to book — walk-in options are limited and paid
About Sky Garden
Opened in January 2015 atop 20 Fenchurch Street — the distinctively curved skyscraper universally nicknamed the "Walkie-Talkie" for its resemblance to the handset — Sky Garden occupies the building's top three floors, 155 metres above the City of London, and was conceived as a public amenity in exchange for the tower's controversial bulk and height.
Two express lifts carry visitors to a landscaped, plant-filled space with sweeping 360-degree views across the Thames, Tower Bridge, the Shard and the City's cluster of skyscrapers, alongside a large open social area, terrace, two restaurants and a bar. Unlike London's other paid viewing platforms, entry itself is completely free, funded instead by the on-site restaurants and events.
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Free tickets are released online every Monday for the following three weeks and go quickly, particularly for weekend and sunset slots — a limitation that keeps the space from feeling as crowded as some of London's paid observation decks, but does require planning ahead.
Each ticket allows a full hour inside, plenty of time to walk the garden, take photos from the viewing gallery and have a drink at the bar while taking in one of London's best free skyline views.
What to See: Highlights
- 1360-degree views across the Thames, Tower Bridge and the City skyline
- 2London's highest free public garden, three storeys of landscaped planting
- 3Completely free entry, funded by on-site restaurants and bars
- 4Two restaurants and a bar inside the viewing space
- 5A striking architectural setting atop the "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper
- 6A full hour allowed per ticket to explore and take photos
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
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Insider Tips
Book free tickets online as soon as they're released each Monday for the following 3 weeks
Sunset and weekend slots go fastest — book those as early as possible
Arrive 15 minutes early; security and airport-style checks take a few minutes
No large bags or tripods are allowed inside
Early-morning and evening walk-in tickets (paid) are an option if you miss free slots
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
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Getting There
1 Sky Garden Walk, 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 8AF
Open in Google Maps →- 1Monument (Circle, District) or Bank (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City, DLR) — both a 5-minute walk.
Where to stay
Hotels in London
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Sky Garden worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Sky Garden take?+−
Who is Sky Garden best for?+−
Do I need to book anything in advance to visit Sky Garden?+−
Is Sky Garden included with the London city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want panoramic City and Thames views without paying for The Shard or London Eye
- You can plan ahead and book a free ticket in advance
- You appreciate a relaxed, garden-like viewing space over a bare observation deck
- You want a drink with a view rather than just a photo stop
Skip if...
- You need a same-day, walk-in visit without any advance planning
- You're not interested in views and skip observation decks generally
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Tower Bridge
London's iconic Victorian bascule bridge, free to cross on foot, with a paid glass-floor walkway 42 metres above the Thames and Victorian engine rooms below.
Leadenhall Market
An ornate Victorian covered market in the heart of the City of London's financial district, its green-and-maroon ironwork instantly recognisable as a Harry Potter filming location.
Monument to the Great Fire of London
A 61-metre Doric column by Christopher Wren, exactly as tall as its distance from where the Great Fire of 1666 began, with 311 steps to a viewing platform over the City.