Free Sky Garden on 35th floor at 20 Fenchurch Street offers stunning Shard views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Book free tickets ahead.
Sky Garden is a free public garden and viewing space on the 35th, 36th, and 37th floors of 20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London — the distinctive building known colloquially as the Walkie-Talkie for its wider-at-the-top silhouette. Sky Garden opened in 2015 and provides one of the finest free views of The Shard and the London skyline to the south, looking across the Thames from a height of approximately 160 metres. The space is not simply an observation deck but a planted garden with subtropical trees, shrubs, ferns, and flowering plants arranged across three interconnected floors beneath a glass dome structure. Floor-to-ceiling glazing on all sides provides unobstructed sightlines, and two open-air terraces allow direct outdoor access to the view in fine weather. The view north from Sky Garden looks over the Bank of England, Guildhall, the Barbican, and Islington; south looks directly at The Shard and across the Thames to Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern, and beyond. The combination of living garden interior and panoramic London views in a free-to-access space is unique in the city. Admission is free but timed tickets must be booked in advance via the Sky Garden website — tickets for evenings and weekends are in high demand and book out days to weeks ahead. Weekday morning and lunchtime slots are consistently easier to obtain. The space also houses two restaurants and two bars, all requiring separate booking: Fenchurch Restaurant on the upper floor is a formal dining venue; Sky Pod Bar on the lower level offers drinks with the same views. Visitors with garden-only bookings cannot access the restaurant or bar areas without a separate reservation.
Location
51.5116, -0.0837 View on map
Highlights
- Free panoramic views from 160 metres — looking south directly at The Shard and across the Thames, north to the Bank of England
- Planted subtropical garden inside the glass dome — a living garden with trees, ferns, and flowering plants at 35th-floor height
- Open-air terraces on the upper floors — direct outdoor access to the City skyline in fine weather
- Sky Pod Bar — drinks with panoramic views for visitors with a bar reservation separate from the garden ticket
- Unique viewing angle of The Shard from across the river — one of the best free Shard-facing viewpoints in London
Tips for visiting
- Book free garden tickets well in advance via the Sky Garden website — weekday mornings are easier to obtain than weekends
- Evening slots provide the most atmospheric views as the city lights emerge against the fading sky
- The open-air terraces are weather-dependent; the enclosed garden floors are always accessible regardless of conditions
- Sky Pod Bar reservations allow drinks with the full view — book separately from the garden entry if intending to stay longer
- The 20 Fenchurch Street building is a 5-minute walk from Monument Underground station on the District and Circle lines
When to visit
Sunset and the subsequent blue hour provide the most atmospheric evening views as the Shard and city lights begin to emerge. Clear weekday midday visits provide the best long-distance visibility and easier ticket availability than weekend evenings.
Accessibility
Sky Garden is fully accessible via lifts in the building lobby of 20 Fenchurch Street. All viewing floors and the garden areas are wheelchair accessible. The open-air terraces are accessible via level thresholds. The bar and restaurant areas are also accessible. Step-free access throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sky Garden free to visit?
Entry to the Sky Garden viewing spaces and planted floors is free, but timed tickets must be booked in advance via the Sky Garden website. The restaurants and bar within Sky Garden require separate reservations and carry food and drink charges.
How far in advance should visitors book Sky Garden tickets?
Evening and weekend tickets book out days to weeks ahead in peak periods. Weekday morning and lunchtime slots are typically available 1-3 days in advance. The website releases tickets on a rolling basis so checking regularly is advisable.
How does Sky Garden compare to The Shard for London views?
Sky Garden (160m) is lower than The Shard observation deck (244m) but is free while The Shard charges £32-37. Sky Garden's garden interior and planted space make it a different experience. The Shard offers broader views and more height; Sky Garden offers a closer, free view of The Shard itself.