The Sky Garden; 20 Fenchurch Street
The Sky Garden is set at the top the latest skyscraper to emerge from London & offers fantastic views of the city for FREE! Located on the 35th, 36th & 37th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street, the Sky Garden comprises of 9000 square feet of green space complete with some of the best views over London. Look out onto the Tower of London, The Shard, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf & many other London landmarks whilst you wander around the beautiful surroundings within the Sky Garden.
LOOK OUT FOR OUR London Eye Guide packed with cheap tickets & voucher plus queue-busting ideas to get ahead at this popular visitor destination!
Sky Garden & Millennium Bridge, (photo; Phil Loach)
Sky Garden; Best Bits
It’s free; pick up free entry to the Sky Garden whether you opt to book tickets in advance or be spontaneous with a later visit.
The setting; a heady mix of breath-taking views, architectural wonder & the beauty of the garden-like surroundings.
The location; positioned in the heart of the city, 20 Fenchurch Street stands directly across from the Shard on the north bank of the Thames.
The view; fantastic views of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, River Thames, Canary Wharf, the Gherkin & many more London landmarks.
Extend your stay; opt for a cup of tea, a glass of champagne or a 3 course meal from three separate dining locations.
We’ve plenty of other ideas to enjoy Views of London on a Budget including climbing the Monument or enjoying the free roof terrace at One New Change.
The Sky Garden Bar
How To Gain Free Entry Tickets to the Sky Garden
Whilst it sits directly across from The Shard where visitors are having to fork out for a visit, the the great advantage with the Sky Garden is you can gain FREE entry. Tickets are released 3 weeks in advance, (usually the release goes live around 10am each Monday), but it does get booked up quickly so it requires an element of pre-planning. We suggest you be ready to go the moment tickets get released and remember you will need to provide details of each person within your party & provide photo identification, (passport/drinking licence), on the day of your visit.
Group bookings can be no larger than 10 people & visitors under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult, (1 adult can only accompany up to 3 children under the age of 18 years). The Sky Garden offers a timed entry ticket system so ensure you leave sufficient time to avoid disappointment. Your ticket offers you a free 1 hour visit to the Sky Garden.
To book go to The Sky Garden Free Tickets.
The Sky Garden on the banks of the River Thames, (photo; Phil Loach)
Free Walk-Up Tickets To The Sky Garden
Previously we noted that another way to gain public entry to the Sky Garden is pick up FREE walk-up tickets where you simply provide personal details to the reception on the ground floor who will then check if there is spare capacity within the venue, (subject to availability). You will effectively be booked into the bar although you are under no obligation to have a drink & are free to wander around the sky garden. However, more recently, we’ve found this harder to achieve and often arrive to see notices up stating the Sky Garden has sold out. If this is a visit is a must for your itinerary, then it is worth booking in advance taking note of when tickets will be released for your proposed visit.
Public access to the Francis Golding Terrace is available day & evening but again subject to availability.
For more views of London check out our Guide to The Shard – cheap tickets, promotional offers & deals.
The Sky Garden
Top Tips for the Sky Garden
1. The entrance to the Sky Garden is at the back of the building via Philpot Lane; simply follow the crowds.
2. You will need to go through airport style security to gain access; no food, drink, liquids must be under 100ml & limitations on the size of personal belongings.
3. You will need to provide photo ID for each member of your party with personal details corresponding to the information provided on each ticket.
4. Arrive on time as latecomers risk refusal as the Sky Garden operates on a timed ticketed system.
5. The Sky Garden is currently only offering bookings for 3 weeks in advance with spaces already very limited. Keep an eye out for future ticket releases & try to remain flexible with your dates to give you the best possible chance of securing free tickets.
Combine a free visit to the Sky Garden with Alternative London Attractions to help you enjoy London on a budget.
Looking out on views from the Sky Garden
The Sky Garden; More Top Tips
6. Previously you have been able to pick up free entry to the Sky Garden each day, (subject to capacity) but check if this option is still available. Whilst you are effectively booked into the bar, you are under no obligation to purchase a drink. However, more recently, we’ve found this harder to achieve.
7. Whilst you cannot take your own food & drink into the Sky Garden, you can make use of the refreshments available on site.
8. There are differing dining options available should you wish but best to book in advance if you are looking to eat at the Sky Garden.
9. To get the best from this attraction, you do need to have an idea of what you are looking for as there is no signage available within the Sky Gardens.
10. Your tickets offer you access to the venue for 1 hour. On the day of our visit, we exceeded this time without any problems although on busier days, this is likely to be enforced.
11. There are very few seated areas around the sky garden unless you are prepared to make use of the cafe/bar/restaurants.
12. Be aware that the open air terrace is not always open and is weather dependent.
13. You are free to take the stairs up to the terrace for a different perspective both inside & out.
Try our Money Saving Ideas to Enjoy London without spending a fortune.
4 tickets for the gardens
Hi Genevie, we at topdogdays simply let you know where the deals are for cheap days out in London but we’re not involved in the administration of this offer. Simply the follow the link through to the Sky Garden, (found within this article) and it will take you through to where you can book your free tickets.
Last minute trip this bank holiday, unable to book. What are the early morning or evening times please
Hi Alan, I can see that all the free reserved tickets for the Sky Garden this bank holiday weekend have already been taken. Whilst the Sky Garden does offer a free drop-in entry before 11am at the weekends this does depend upon capacity limitations so you could be turned away if the Sky Garden is busy. Fingers crossed for you:)
Thanks so much for letting us know about this – first I’ve heard! For me the gardens are also an attraction
Hi Sharon, very welcome – it only opened to the public a couple of weeks ago so a very new attraction. Whilst the gardens have attracted quite a lot of negative publicity since the Sky Garden opened, I have to say I like them and feel the lush surroundings enhance your whole experience – be great to see it again when the plants are more established too.