by Sharon Henry

High inside the Sky Garden Walkie Talkie building, a soft mist falls, leaving beads clinging to furry New Zealand tree ferns, 37 floors up.  Like a light shower of rain, it moistens clusters of ginger flowers and dampens the leaves of 100-year-old palms whose roots once veined the soil at the foot of Mount Etna.

This is the Sky Garden London on 20 Fenchurch Street, nickname the Walkie Talkie building because of its distinctive shape.  It’s the highest public gardens in London and one of the best free things to do in London England.  It spans three floors and has 360 degree views over this remarkable city.

London’s Sky Garden walkie talkie tower as we emerge from the Underground. The London gardens is at the top.

London’s Sky Garden walkie talkie tower as we emerge from the Underground. The London gardens is at the top.

 

London Panorama You Can See For Miles

My ears popped on the quick elevator ride up, the Sky Garden lift speed is six metres per second!  I was awe-struck the minute the doors slid open.  We stepped out into a huge atrium, three-storeys high, entirely encased in glass (roof included) which reveals what must be the best view of The Shard.  Behind us stood what looked like a slice of a mountainside, green and leafy.

 

                                    

 

We made a beeline for the open air terrace, there were so many London landmarks to consume and photograph I didn’t know where to look first.  This is London sightseeing on a whole new level.   The Shard, HMS Belfast, More London, Tower Bridge, boats on the Thames, red double-deckers, ant people crossing London Bridge, the golden pinnacle of The Monument, down onto rooftops, Battersea Power Station…so many London points of interest.   Suffice to say, umpteen photos were taken of the Sky Garden view.

The 20 Fenchurch Street building is 160m (525ft) tall, and is the sixth tallest building in the city of London.

The Sky Garden Fenchurch Street three storey atrium is impressive.

The Sky Garden Fenchurch Street three storey atrium is impressive.

 

Sky Garden Walkie Talkie Building

It took a while before we ventured back inside.  The Sky Pod Bar London is on the lower level and above are more Walkie Talkie building restaurants and bars.  To the far left and right are stairways leading to the gardens and the top-most floor where you can stand head to head with London skyscrapers the ‘Gherkin’ and ‘Cheese Grater’.

Unfortunately, the garden section had to compete with the spectacular bird’s eye London view and it took a while before we felt sated enough to turn away from the cityscapes and followed the path under the tree fern canopy of the Sky Garden design.

Must See On Your London To Do List

But now that I’m here I don’t want to leave.  The range of Sky Garden plants reminds me of home; the tree ferns of our cloud forest up on Diana’s Peak, the succulents, creepers, ferns and shrubs – the rest of St Helena Island.  Along with the red hot pokers, agapanthus, birds of paradise and cockroach grass.

It’s peaceful and calming standing amongst them and for a few moments as the sun shines directly onto my skin, it’s pure bliss.  The Sky Garden Walkie Talkie London has made me feel homesick!

Walking under the Skygarden jungle, where the furry tree ferns reminds me of St Helena Island.

Walking under the Skygarden jungle, where the furry tree ferns reminds me of St Helena Island.

 

Walkie Talkie Sky Garden Construction

The Walkie Talkie roof garden has its own microclimate and there are three planting zones, a shade tolerant forest at the top, sloping to the sunniest area at the bottom.  The plants are ‘drought resistant’ and were carefully selected to give colour and flowers throughout the year.  Misting units come on automatically to regulate the humidity to 75%.  I love the smell they generate; earthy, just like any garden after a shower of rain.

The plants come from Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean.  The New Zealand tree ferns are some of the tallest in Europe.  The Sky Garden was created by Gillespies landscape architects, Willerby Landscapes took on the complex task of its installation.

The naturally ventilated space of the Sky Garden is good for pest control as the temperature range does not encourage infestations.

Unique Things To Do In London

We’ve been allotted an hour, but there are no signs of anyone monitoring this.  No Tannoy announcements or attendants reminding us that, ‘time’s up,’ guess it’s self-regulating; some people who queued with us left a while ago.

Either way, we shouldn’t overstay our welcome. But what a place, the Sky Garden Walkie Talkie has the best views in London, and a feel of St Helena, we love it.  Let’s just take one last photo…

Thumbs Up Sky Garden Review

It’s easy to make a Sky Garden booking on the official website.  Admission is FREE although limited in availability and in one-hour time slots.   We highly recommend a visit.  Unsurprisingly for this most brilliant of London tourist attractions, Sky Garden tickets are snapped up fast.  Tickets are released on Monday’s for the following three weeks.

That said, a reserved number of Sky Garden walk in spaces are available between 10am to 11.30am and 14.00pm to 16.30pm on Mondays to Fridays.  But off course, there’re subject to availability so to avoid disappointment it might be best to get your Sky Garden London tickets beforehand.

Sky Garden Opening Times

Thankfully we got lucky when we made our Sky Garden reservation just last night.  It’s a simple and instantaneous process and you can either print a hard copy of your ticket or bring it on your phone. The ticket holder will also need to bring ID.

Public ticketed hours are Mon-Fri, 10am to 6pm, and 11am to 9pm on weekends.

There are queues and a security check but it’s reasonably fast moving, it took us just over half an hour to get in.  Come at least half an hour early.

Visit London On A Layover

The Sky Garden is great for people with one day in London or a few hours to spare on a layover, there were a few with carry-ons on our visit.

There is a size limit however on personal belongings; handbags, backpacks and shopping bags and equipment.  Anything bigger than 61.5cm x 41cm or 24.2in x 16.1in will be denied access to the Sky Garden.

For those planning a longer trip, check this UK Top 27 Bucket List for great ideas and here for recommendations on where to stay in London.  This 4-day London itinerary is also great.

The Sky Garden Location

Oh, and don’t do what we did and go into what is the actual front door of 20 Fenchurch Street.  This is the reception area for the corporate side of the building – not for tourists.  The Sky Garden entrance is around on the opposite side, via Philpot Lane.  The long queue should’ve been a clue – duh!

The Sky Garden address is 20 Fenchurch Street London EC3M 3BY.

The Sky Garden is a relatively new attraction, only opened to the public in 2015.  The property developers were granted permission on condition that free admission was given to the public.

Sky Garden Dress Code

The Sky Garden operate a smart/casual dress code and do not permit beachwear, sportswear or flip flops.  The garden is a naturally ventilated space so dress accordingly for the weather.

Sky Garden images taken from the viewing deck looking down on the River Thames and the More London area. The Sky Garden is an amazing experience and all for free!

Sky Garden images taken from the viewing deck looking down on the River Thames and the More London area. The Sky Garden is an amazing experience and all for free!

 

The Sky Garden Nearest Tube Station

The nearest London Underground Station to get to the 20 Fenchurch Street Sky Garden is Monument on the Circle and District lines.

 

A Sky Garden Restaurant London List

Visitors are not permitted to bring food or drink but there five restaurants/bars available.  The Sky Garden prices are what you’d expect of London prices; a little steep, the Fenchurch Restaurant is at the high end of the scale and the Sky Pod at the bottom.  To eat at the Sky Garden book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dress code for all the bars and restaurants is smart/casual, shorts, beachwear and flip flops are not permitted.

Fenchurch Restaurant Sky Garden

An elegant rooftop restaurant and bar with west facing views of London located on the top floor (37) of the Sky Garden Walkie Talkie.  A £30 corkage fee is applied to guests who bring their own wine.

Open for lunch: Mon-Sun, 11.45am – 2.45pm.  Dinner: Mon-Sun, 5.45pm – 10.15pm.

 

Fenchurch Terrace

Terrace with unspoilt views from top of the Sky Garden on the 37th floor.

Open Mon-Fri 6pm – 10.15 pm.  Sat 9pm – 10.15pm.

Walk-ins welcome from 6.15pm on weekdays and 9.15pm weekends, subject to availability.

 

Darwin Brassire Sky Garden

Walkie Talkie restaurant overlooking the Thames that offers the best of classic British dishes.

Open for Breakfast: Mon-Sun, 7.30am – 10am.

Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11.30am – 4.30pm.

Dinner: Sun-Thu, 5pm – 10pm. Fri-Sat, 5pm – 10.30pm.

Weekend Set Brunch: Sat-Sun, 11.30am – 4.30pm.

 

City Garden Bar

This Sky Garden bar offers all day drinking and dining on the 36th floor with a selection of sharing boards.

Open Tue-Wed, 11am – 11pm.  Thu-Fri, 11am – 11.30pm.  Sat, 11am – 12am.  Sun-Mon, Closed.

Evening walk-ins are welcome.  Last entry: Tue-Wed, 10.30pm.  Thu-Fri, 11pm.  Sat, 11.30pm.

 

Sky Pod Bar

Great for a Sky Garden afternoon tea and all day drinking and dining with a selection of bakery and deli choices on the 35th floor.

Open Sun-Wed, 7am – 11.30pm.  Thu-Fri, 7am – 12am.  Sat, 8am – 1am.

Last Entry: Sun-Wed, 11pm. Thurs-Fri, 11:30pm.  Sat, 12:30am.

 

New Kid On The Block

So there’s a new kid in town called The Garden at 120.  It’s an open air, roof top garden that is free and open to the public with no pre-booking necessary.  Simply walk in and take the lift to the top floor.  It has a capacity of 207 people.  The Garden at 120 opened on 15 February 2019, the address is 120 Fenchurch Street.

Opening hours are, Mon-Fri, 10am to 6.30pm (9pm in summer).  They are trialling weekend openings for a period, 10am to 5pm.

 

Walkie Talkie Building Melts Car

The Walkie Talkie made headlines during construction in 2013 when it melted a car and was re-nicknamed the Walkie Scorchie.  Its concave shape and mirrored glass, reflected powerful rays of light onto the street below causing damage.  The building has since been fitted with a sunshade that deflects light.

 

A list of the Walkie Talkie Sky Garden eateries; Fenchurch restaurant, Fenchurch Terrace, Sky Pod Bar, Darwin Brasserie and the City Garden Bar.

A list of the Walkie Talkie Sky Garden eateries; Fenchurch restaurant, Fenchurch Terrace, Sky Pod Bar, Darwin Brasserie and the City Garden Bar.

Amazing views from the Sky Garden down over St Paul's Cathedral and, away in the distance, the BT Tower, iconic sights of London. It’s easy to make your Sky Garden bookings online.

Amazing views from the Sky Garden down over St Paul’s Cathedral and, away in the distance, the BT Tower, iconic sights of London. It’s easy to make your Sky Garden bookings online.

Enjoying the Sky Garden lunch menu at the Sky Pod Walkie Talkie restaurant.

Enjoying the Sky Garden lunch menu at the Sky Pod Walkie Talkie restaurant.

Looking down on the canopy of the Sky Garden in London and the stairway leading to the top level.

Looking down on the canopy of the Sky Garden in London and the stairway leading to the top level.

Sky Garden London - What The Saints Did Next

This must be one of the most unusual public gardens in London. Misting units regulates the Sky Garden humidity at 75% for the giant tree ferns and other plant life.

Super light conditions at the top of the London Walkie Talkie building, hard to resist taking pictures.

Super light conditions at the top of the London Walkie Talkie building, hard to resist taking pictures.

Green energy, what else for the Sky Garden. Solar panels line up right across the roof top.

Green energy, what else for the Sky Garden. Solar panels line up right across the roof top.

Checking out the London sky scrapers of Canary Wharf from the Walkie Talkie London.

Checking out the London sky scrapers of Canary Wharf from the Walkie Talkie London.

Looking up the side of 20 Fenchurch Street as we wait in the queue to go up to the Sky Garden in London.

Looking up the side of 20 Fenchurch Street as we wait in the queue to go up to the Sky Garden in London.

Inside the Walkie Talkie building - view from the Darwin Brasserie Sky Garden Restaurant deck. As high as we can go inside London's Sky Garden.

Inside the Walkie Talkie building – view from the Darwin Brasserie Sky Garden Restaurant deck. As high as we can go inside London’s Sky Garden.

Sky Garden London - What The Saints Did Next

The London Sky Garden building offers an awesome view across to The Shard. It’s one of the top London attractions.

 

More Ideas for Free Things To Do plus Sightseeing in London

                        

 

It can be tough choosing places to go in London, for those with limited time.  It’s a city that has much to offer – for free.  However, the Sky Garden Walkie Talkie building is perfect for sightseeing London from one spot!  It’s easily one of the best things to do in London.

If you enjoyed this article you may want to check out our post, Photographing London, Best City In The World For Street Photography.

Another idea for a fun day out in London is flying the Emirates Air Line at Greenwich, it comes highly recommended by us.