Sky Garden observation deck available in London

Sky Garden in London, a free rooftop terrace and a fantastic free attraction in the capital of England.

London is a city like no other, at least according to its residents. Many insist that they wouldn’t even consider moving anywhere outside the vast English metropolis. We have visited the capital of England multiple times, and indeed, you can feel a cool and unique atmosphere there. But also witness the lives of people who are always in a rush, which we like less.

As travellers and enthusiasts of walking tours, we were most impressed by the bustling streets of London, full of attractions, ranging from museums and tiny art galleries to pubs and live music restaurants. London is a very fashionable place, which is why celebrities from all professions often appear here. In almost every bar, no matter how small, you can see photos of celebrities who have visited it.

Famous London nooks and crannies

We were eating pizza at a joint whose owner swore that Quentin Tarantino himself sat at our table. As proof, he showed us a rather blurry photo hanging above the bar. Well, maybe it was Tarantino, or perhaps someone who looked a bit like him. Regardless, the pizza was so good that even the master of cinematic pastiche would be delighted by it.

Almost every street has something worth writing and talking about, which we will undoubtedly do many times. However, today I’ll tell you about an attraction by the Thames that not everyone knows about but is worth remembering when visiting London.

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

The Sky Garden is a truly fascinating place. At the top of one of the skyscrapers, located at 20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed the Walkie Talkie, a green habitat has been constructed. Besides the greenery, there are also bars and, above all, a glass observation deck.

It’s a peculiar sensation. Walking among the trees along paths surrounded by shrubs and flowers. When there are no crowds, there is a quiet atmosphere, disturbed only by the singing of birds and the buzzing of insects. It’s easy to forget that we’re not strolling through an ordinary park or garden behind a house, but on the top of one of the tallest skyscrapers in London.

Among the bushes and nooks of this extraordinary garden, streams, and waterfalls are hidden, providing a constant sound of flowing water, reminiscent of a paradise garden. Butterflies flutter around, and the air shimmers with sunlight, creating a truly idyllic scene. In the central part of the Sky Garden, you can sit at a table and enjoy a cup of coffee or whatever else you fancy drinking. On a sunny day, thanks to the completely glass construction of the roof, you can bask in the sunlight and enjoy an incredible panorama of London.

Indeed, the views are the main attraction of the Sky Garden. The outdoor observation deck encircles the building like a balcony. Thanks to it, we have a breathtaking view of the entire London from every possible angle. Although, the external balcony is only on the southern side. The entire Sky Garden is made of glass, so the view offers a true 360-degree experience.

Sky Garden and view of London from the terrace

London is quite a metropolis. It covers an area of over 1,500 square kilometres, which is more than the combined area of Warsaw and Berlin. When you stand on top of a skyscraper and look at the horizon from the Sky Garden terrace, all you see is London, as far as the eye can see.

In my opinion, the city looks most beautiful from the side of the Thames and the famous Tower Bridge. The latter looks magnificent, especially from this perspective. It’s one of the most famous landmarks in London. Along with the clock tower, known as Big Ben, they are the most photographed objects in Europe.

Magda preferred the view of the city on the other side, where other skyscrapers stand, including the very distinctive 30 St. Mary Axe, also known as the Swiss Re or the Gherkin. According to her, it resembles a tsarist golden Faberge egg. To me, the building rather resembles a slightly slippery plug, a matter of imagination. The building stands on the site of another skyscraper destroyed by the Irish Republican Army in a bloody attack somewhere in the early nineties of the last century. It is eco-friendly and, thanks to its oval construction, reportedly very energy-efficient.

The district where the plug is located is the City of London, the capital of European finance, as evidenced by the parked cars in the area.

There could be much to tell about the city visible from the Sky Garden terrace, but today’s story concerns the Sky Garden itself, and that’s what we need to focus on.

Sky Garden how to get to the observation deck

Entry to the Sky Garden is completely free, which is good news. However, it comes with another, less pleasant truth. The number of people wanting to admire London from the 36th-floor height is enormous. For safety and comfort reasons, a guest limit has been introduced. To enjoy the described pleasure, one must obtain a ticket.

A reserved ticket entitles us to access the 36th floor of the building and spend about an hour there. This time is rather approximate, since no one checks what time you descend. Of course, if you have a few extra pounds to spare, you can go up one more floor. There you’ll find a luxury restaurant and an observation deck available only to its guests. I’ll just add that dinner there costs as much as a mid-range accommodation in the city.

We didn’t go up, but we’d gladly hear about your experience.

As I mentioned, there are many eager visitors to the Sky Garden, so it’s wise to reserve your ticket well in advance. You can do this on the official website. If it turns out that there are no more slots available for a particular day, I advise approaching and asking on the spot, just as we did. Since the tickets are free, people often book them and then cancel their visit.

The Sky Garden is probably the only free observation deck in the city. Another option to view the city is a ride on the London Eye, which costs several tens of pounds per person. You can also ascend to the top of the tallest building in London, The Shard. Such an experience costs the same as a ride on the London Eye.

London isn’t known for being cheap, so personally, I recommend a visit to the Sky Garden, and use the saved money to indulge in Temple Brew House, a local brewery in central London. They serve the best ales I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking.

Sky Garden in London interesting facts

• The Sky Garden houses plants from the Mediterranean region and Africa.
• When the Walkie Talkie was built, it was dubbed the ugliest building in London in 2015. It even received an award from the prestigious magazine Building Design for the “ugliest recently built structure in the entire UK”. Fortunately, from the observation deck of the building itself, it’s not visible.
• The Sky Garden is located at a height of 155 meters above ground level, making it the highest garden in the UK.
• It’s said that ordering tickets for the weekend is as difficult as spotting the queen strolling down Oxford Street.
• Before entering the Sky Garden at the Walkie Talkie skyscraper, we must undergo a security check similar to those at airports.
• We are not allowed to bring our drinks or food into the Sky Garden.
• The Walkie-Talkie building, where the Sky Garden is located at the top, owes its name to its resemblance to a telephone handset.

Sky Garden in London practical information

The address of the Sky Garden is 1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF.

The most convenient way to get there is by the Underground and alight at Monument or Bank station, depending on which line you’re travelling on.

You can order tickets on the official website.

Sky Garden opening hours

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Last entry one hour before closing.

Polish version