The Sky Garden viewing gallery on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie offers panoramic views over London from their foliage-filled atrium. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, this lush urban jungle provides fantastic views of the famous rooftops of London, with an open-air terrace providing views across the Thames.
London Sky Garden
Having delighted visitors since 2015, the Sky Garden has been designed to create an open and vibrant place of relaxation away from the hubbub of the city, offering visitors a rare chance to experience London from a different perspective.
From here you’ll be able to gaze out at The Shard, The Gherkin, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and, of course, the River Thames. In fact you can pretty much see everything, as these Sky Garden photos show.
Aside from the spectacular view, Sky Garden’s main selling point – not that we need to work particularly hard to sell a free view of the city – is its leafy indoor garden. It’s the perfect place to get some botanical inspiration while remaining indoors, which is helpful if it’s raining (because it probably will be, knowing London’s track record for weather).
Sky Garden bar and restaurants
The Sky Garden is by no means all fur coat and no knickers, because it offers visitors several well-regarded dining options including Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch Restaurant for classy British fare. There’s also tempting cocktail bar City Garden Bar and coffee and cake spot the Sky Pod Bar, because a rooftop bar is nothing without the drinks, darling.
To celebrate the resumption of normal service at the Sky Garden following the pandemic, the venue’s famed DJ nights also made a comeback. All year round, there are plenty of DJ and live band nights—you can browse dates and book your tickets here.
While there are food, drink, and party options abound here, you’re also most welcome to turn up just to have a wander for an hour without paying a penny. Stroll around the exquisitely landscaped gardens, observation decks and an open-air terrace that is London’s highest public garden, all for nothing! Nil pois! Rien. Unbelievable, we know.
Booking a visit to the Sky Garden
This changed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but the Sky Garden remains free to enjoy. Tickets are available to book online, and will get you a free spot at the Sky Garden on weekdays (between 10am-6pm) or weekends (between 11am – 9pm). If there is still space, however, walk-in tickets can often be made available — although it gets very busy (particularly on weekends), so booking is recommended. Additionally, tickets have timed entry (so miss your slot and you’re out of luck), and you’ll have an hour to explore once you’re inside. If you have a restaurant booking, you won’t need an additional ticket.
Aim for a sunset trip to enjoy views over London by both day and night!