Sky Garden
Public garden on floors 35–37 of the Walkie Talkie building at 155 metres, with 360-degree London views, landscaped terraces and three restaurants
Public garden on floors 35–37 of the Walkie Talkie building at 155 metres, with 360-degree London views, landscaped terraces and three restaurants
Sky Garden is a landscaped public garden 155 metres up, occupying the top three floors of 20 Fenchurch Street — the building Londoners call the Walkie Talkie. It opened in 2015 as a planning condition for the skyscraper and remains London's highest public garden.
Ferns, African lilies and mature trees grow inside a climate-controlled glass dome with 360-degree city views. You must book a timed slot in advance — walk-ins are not accepted. Three restaurants and two bars occupy the upper levels.
The Sky Garden occupies roughly 3,500 square metres across floors 35 to 37, wrapped in a curved glass dome. The planting draws on Mediterranean and South African climates — mature ferns, agaves, African lilies, bougainvillea and olive trees thrive in raised beds and terraced planters warmed by the glass canopy.
The views are the main draw. Glass walls run floor to ceiling on every side, offering a 360-degree panorama. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge sit directly below to the east, the Shard rises to the south, and St Paul's fills the western view. An open-air terrace on the 37th floor lets you step outside — a rare experience at this height in London.
Three restaurants and two bars share the garden levels. Darwin Brasserie serves British brasserie food overlooking the Thames. Fenchurch Restaurant is the fine-dining option with a tasting menu. Larch brings Italian cooking to the garden level. Sky Pod Bar on level 35 serves cocktails surrounded by greenery, while City Garden Bar offers intimate eastward views.
Booking is essential. Timed entry slots are released three weeks in advance on the Sky Garden website and fill quickly, especially weekend evenings and sunset times. A restaurant or bar reservation guarantees garden access without a separate ticket. Visitors pass through airport-style security, so allow extra time and avoid large bags.
20 Fenchurch Street was designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Vinoly and completed in 2014 for over 200 million pounds. Its top-heavy profile earned it the nickname "the Walkie Talkie." The Sky Garden was a condition of planning approval, providing public benefit in exchange for the building's impact on the City's streetscape.
In 2013, the concave glass facade concentrated sunlight onto Eastcheap with enough intensity to melt parts of a parked Jaguar and blister shop fronts — earning the tower a second nickname, "the Walkie Scorchie." Louvres were fitted to fix the problem. Despite winning the 2015 Carbuncle Cup for ugliest new building in Britain, the Sky Garden draws over a million visitors a year.
Entry to the Sky Garden is free but you must book a timed slot in advance through skygarden.london — restaurant and bar bookings include garden access without a separate ticket
Free timed slots are released three weeks in advance on skygarden.london and fill up fast, especially weekends and sunset times. Set a reminder and book as soon as tickets go live for the best availability.
The last free entry slots of the day offer the best light for photographs and a chance to see the city transition from daylight to the illuminated skyline. Check sunset times and choose a slot 30 minutes before.
If free tickets are sold out, book a table at Darwin Brasserie, Sky Pod Bar or any of the other venues. A dining reservation includes garden access without needing a separate free ticket.
All visitors pass through airport-style security on the ground floor. Leave large bags and suitcases at your hotel — they may be refused entry. Small backpacks and handbags are fine.
Weekday mornings between 10am and noon are the quietest times. You will have more space at the viewing windows and the gardens feel less crowded, making it easier to take photographs.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 27, 2026
