Sky Garden

Sky Garden sits at the very top of 20 Fenchurch Street, one of the City of London's most talked-about skyscrapers, better known by its nickname, the "Walkie-Talkie." Spanning the building's top three floors, it is often described as London's highest public garden, offering uninterrupted 360-degree views across the capital's skyline.

What sets Sky Garden apart from other London viewpoints is that it's free to enter. Visitors can wander through landscaped terraces, take in the view from an open-air observation deck, or settle in at one of the bars and restaurants tucked among the greenery, all without paying an admission fee.

A Condition of Planning Permission

Sky Garden wasn't originally conceived as a tourist attraction in its own right. It was included as a condition of planning approval for 20 Fenchurch Street, offering the public a benefit in exchange for the tower's impact on the City's historic streetscape.

Opening and Early Reception

The building was completed in 2014, and Sky Garden opened to the public in January 2015. It was initially publicised as the UK's tallest public park, and it quickly became one of London's most visited free attractions, now drawing more than a million visitors a year.

The "Walkie-Talkie" Tower

20 Fenchurch Street was designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly and rises 38 storeys to a height of around 160 metres (525 feet). Its distinctive shape, narrower at street level and swelling outward toward the top, earned it the nickname "the Walkie-Talkie," after the handheld radio it resembles.

The "Walkie Scorchie" Incident

In 2013, before the tower was even finished, its concave glass facade concentrated sunlight onto the street below with enough intensity to melt parts of a parked car and blister nearby shop fronts. The mishap earned the building a second, less flattering nickname, "the Walkie Scorchie," before louvres were fitted to fix the problem.

A Divisive Landmark

Despite the controversy, and despite winning the 2015 Carbuncle Cup, a tongue-in-cheek award for the ugliest new building in Britain, the tower's rooftop garden is consistently rated as one of London's best free things to do.

Sky Garden's planting was designed by landscape architects Gillespies, working with specialist planting consultants, around a narrative loosely inspired by the evolution of plants. The result is a series of micro-landscapes shaped by the unique microclimate created underneath the building's glass vaulted roof.

• Shade Tolerant Forest – dense, leafy planting suited to the lower-light areas of the garden
• Transition Zone – a middle band bridging shaded and sun-exposed planting
• Flowering Terraces – bright, drought-resistant Mediterranean and South African species in full colour year-round

Look out for African Lily (Agapanthus), Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia), and Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), along with fragrant herbs such as French Lavender. Keeping sub-tropical species thriving more than 150 metres above a northern European city is no small feat, and the gardens are maintained year-round by specialist horticultural teams.

Sky Garden isn't just a viewing platform, it's also home to a cluster of bars and restaurants spread across its three levels, making it easy to turn a quick visit into a longer stay.

• Skypod Bar – cocktails and drinks with an elevated view over the gardens
• City Garden Bar – a relaxed spot for casual drinks and light bites
• Darwin Brasserie – all-day dining in a relaxed setting
• Fenchurch Restaurant – a more formal dining room with panoramic City views

The main draw for most visitors is the view. From the open-air terrace and the glass-walled observation deck, Sky Garden offers sweeping, uninterrupted sightlines across central London and beyond.

On a clear day, visitors can pick out The Shard, Tower Bridge, and even the arch of Wembley Stadium in the distance, alongside the dense cluster of skyscrapers that make up the City of London's financial district directly below.

Sky Garden looks different depending on the time of day, so it's worth thinking about what kind of experience you're after. Sunset is one of the most popular times to visit, as the City skyline transitions from daylight into its illuminated night-time silhouette.

• Early morning – quieter, softer light, easier to get a same-day slot
• Sunset – the most requested time slot, so book well ahead
• Evening – a livelier atmosphere around the bars, with London's skyline lit up below

Entry to Sky Garden is free, but access is controlled through timed tickets that must be booked online in advance, since walk-ins aren't guaranteed and popular slots fill up quickly.

• Book as far ahead as possible, especially for weekends, evenings, and sunset slots
• Arrive a few minutes before your slot, as security checks are similar to airport-style screening
• Bring photo ID, as it may be requested at check-in
• Bar and restaurant reservations can sometimes grant access outside standard ticket slots

Sky Garden sits in the heart of the City of London, within easy walking distance of several other major landmarks, making it easy to combine with a wider day of sightseeing.

• Tower of London and Tower Bridge – historic riverside icons a short walk away
• Monument to the Great Fire of London – another elevated City viewpoint
• Leadenhall Market – a Victorian covered market known for its ornate architecture