Sky Garden observation deck available in London

Sky Garden in London – a free observation deck and a fantastic free attraction in the capital of England

London is a city like no other – at least that is what its residents claim. Many of them insist that they could never imagine living anywhere outside this vast British metropolis. In today’s article, I would like to tell you about a free attraction and a place that allows you to admire the English capital from a great height – Sky Garden, located at the top of one of London’s skyscrapers.

Famous London nooks and crannies

I have visited the capital of England many times and, indeed, you can feel a unique and enjoyable atmosphere there. At the same time, you also witness the lives of people who always seem to be in a rush, which I, personally, found less appealing. What I did like, however, were London’s streets full of attractions – from museums and tiny art galleries to pubs and restaurants drawing people in with live music. London is a very fashionable city, which naturally attracts celebrities from all walks of life. In almost every bar, even the smallest one, you can see photographs of famous guests who once visited – or sometimes even meet them in person.

We once ate pizza in a small restaurant whose owner swore that Quentin Tarantino himself had sat at our table. As proof, he showed us a rather blurry photograph hanging above the bar. Well, maybe it really was Tarantino, or perhaps just someone who looked a bit like him – it didn’t really matter. The pizza was so good that even the master of cinematic pastiche himself would have been delighted. Almost every street here has something worth writing about and telling stories of – which I will certainly do many more times. Today, however, I want to focus on an attraction by the River Thames that not everyone knows about, but which is well worth remembering when visiting London.

Sky Garden sky gardens, on top of a skyscraper Walkie Talkie in London

Sky Garden is a truly fascinating place. It was built at the top of a skyscraper located at 20 Fenchurch Street, commonly known as the Walkie Talkie. A green habitat has been created there, filled with expansive shrubs and a wide variety of plants. Apart from the greenery, you will also find bars and, most importantly, a glass observation deck.

The experience is quite surreal: you stroll along pathways surrounded by bushes and flowers, and when there are no crowds, you do so accompanied by birdsong and the hum of insects. It is easy to forget that this is not an ordinary park or garden somewhere behind a house, but the summit of one of London’s tallest skyscrapers.

Hidden among the greenery and corners of this unusual garden are small streams and waterfalls, creating the constant sound of flowing water, much like in a paradise garden. Butterflies flutter around, and the air shimmers with warmth from the sun – true bliss. In the central part of Sky Garden, you can sit at a table and enjoy a coffee. On a sunny day, thanks to the fully glazed roof structure, you can soak up the sunlight and admire the incredible panorama of London.

It is precisely this view beyond the glass walls that is Sky Garden’s greatest attraction. The outdoor observation area is a balcony that wraps around the building, offering breathtaking views of London in every possible direction. Although the external balcony is located only on the southern side, the entire Sky Garden is made of glass, providing a genuine 360-degree view.

Sky Garden and its breathtaking view of London

London is a vast metropolis, covering an area of over 1,500 square kilometres – larger than Warsaw and Berlin combined. When you stand at the top of the skyscraper and look into the distance, all you see is London stretching right to the horizon. In my opinion, the city looks most beautiful from the side of the River Thames and the famous Tower Bridge. From this perspective, the bridge looks truly magnificent. It is one of London’s most recognisable landmarks and, along with the clock tower known as Big Ben, one of the most frequently photographed structures in Europe.

Magda preferred the view on the opposite side, where other skyscrapers dominate the skyline, including the highly distinctive 30 St Mary Axe, known as Swiss Re or simply the Gherkin. According to her, it resembles a golden Fabergé egg from the days of the Russian tsars. To me, it looks more like a slightly worn cork – but that is a matter of imagination. The building stands on the site of a former skyscraper destroyed by the Irish Republican Army in a deadly attack in the early 1990s. It is considered environmentally friendly and, thanks to its rounded shape, supposedly very energy-efficient. The district where this “cork” stands is the City of London – the capital of European finance – which is evident from the cars parked nearby.

One could tell countless stories about the city visible from the Sky Garden terrace, but today’s story is about the garden itself, and that is where our focus must remain.

Sky Garden – how to get to the observation deck

Entry to Sky Garden is completely free, which is certainly good news. However, it comes with a less pleasant reality: the number of people who want to admire London from the 36th floor is enormous. For safety and comfort reasons, a visitor limit has been introduced. To enjoy this attraction, you need to obtain a ticket. A reserved ticket allows you to take the lift to the 36th floor and spend approximately one hour there. This time limit is fairly flexible, as nobody actually checks when you go back down.

Of course, if you have a bit more money to spare, you can go one floor higher, where a luxury restaurant and an observation terrace are available exclusively to restaurant guests. I will only add that a meal there costs roughly the same as an average-quality overnight stay in the city. We did not go up, but we would be happy to hear about your experience – so feel free to share your impressions.

As I mentioned earlier, and as you can probably guess, Sky Garden is extremely popular, so it is best to book your ticket well in advance. This can be done via the official website. If there are no available slots for your chosen day, I recommend going there in person and asking, just as we did. Since the tickets are free, people often book them and then cancel their visit.

Sky Garden is probably the only free observation deck in the city. Another option for seeing London from above is a ride on the London Eye, which costs several dozen pounds per person. You can also visit the top of London’s tallest building, The Shard – but that experience costs about the same as the London Eye. London is not a cheap city, so I, personally, recommend Sky Garden and suggest spending the money you save at Temple Brew House, a local brewery in central London. They serve the best ale I have ever had the pleasure of drinking.

Sky Garden in London – interesting facts

• Location: Sky Garden is located on the 35th floor of the “Walkie Talkie” building (also known as 20 Fenchurch Street), in central London.
• Height: The building is 160 metres tall, and Sky Garden occupies its top three floors.
• Free entry: Admission to Sky Garden is free, but requires advance ticket reservation online.
• Tropical garden: Sky Garden covers an area of 1.5 hectares and includes a tropical garden with plants from all over the world.
• Building history: Construction began in 2007 and was completed in 2014.
• Glass roof: The entire Sky Garden is covered by a glass roof, allowing uninterrupted views of London.
• Plant diversity: Around 30,000 plants from various climate zones can be seen here, from tropical species to Mediterranean plants.
• City views: From Sky Garden you can admire iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye.
• Three levels: Sky Garden consists of three levels, each offering different zones – green spaces as well as cafés and restaurants.
• Bar and restaurant: On the top floor there is an elegant bar and restaurants where you can enjoy fine food with stunning views.
• Public garden: Sky Garden is one of the few places in London where the public can visit a rooftop garden for free while enjoying spectacular views.
• Eco-friendly concept: The building and its garden were designed with sustainability in mind. The greenery helps purify the air and cool the city on warm days.
• Innovative solutions: Modern technologies are used here, including rainwater collection systems for plant irrigation.
• Popular photo spot: Sky Garden is very popular with tourists and professional photographers looking for the perfect London view.
• Security: Visitors must pass through airport-style security checks before entering.
• Special events: Sky Garden also hosts various events, including conferences, banquets, and concerts.
• “Walkie Talkie”: The building owes its nickname to its distinctive shape – wide at the top and narrower at the bottom.
• Night garden: Although Sky Garden is open throughout the day, it becomes especially magical at night, when London lights up with thousands of lights.
• Interactive points: There are interactive stations where visitors can learn more about London’s history, the garden and its plant life.
• Accessibility: The building is fully accessible, with lifts adapted for wheelchair users.

Sky Garden in London – practical information

Address: Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF
The easiest way to get there is by Underground – Monument or Bank stations are the most convenient, depending on the line you are travelling on. Tickets can be booked via the official website.

Opening hours:

• Monday–Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Last entry is one hour before closing.

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