A jewel in London’s crown, Sky Garden is a luxury destination that many are unaware is free. Literally a garden in the sky, 20 Fenchurch Street is home to an enlarged glass dome, containing three stories of gardens, terraces, decks – the ultimate social space. Nicknamed ‘The Walkie-Talkie’, the iconic building at 20 Fenchurch Street has been a prominent skyscraper in London’s skyline since 2014, with the Sky Garden opening a year later. Although claiming the title of the sixth-tallest building in the City of London, originally Rafael Vinoly’s postmodern building was meant to be higher but was scaled down amid fears of it overshadowing the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower of London.
Designed by landscape architecture practice Gillespies, the gardens are located thirty-five floors up, and boast the unparalleled experience of sky-level greenery. With parts of the building naturally ventilated (dress for the outdoor weather!), upon arriving at the gardens you will be transported to the homelands of the South African and Mediterranean plants, while looking down on the busy streets of London.
Sky Garden houses five restaurants and bars, offering an unparalleled dining and drinking experience complete with 360° views of the capital. The restaurants are just a small part of what Sky Garden has to offer, so you don’t need to get a table or pay for food and drink to enjoy the atmosphere. If you do fancy a snack or something more, be prepared to fork out for the privilege of eating thirty-five stories high!
While Sky Garden is free to visit, you will need to book if you want guaranteed entry as only a small number of walk-ins are permitted. While the restaurants book up to 30 days in advance, general admission tickets are released every Monday for the following week and usually sell out fairly quickly – booking close to when they are released is advisable.
When you visit, make sure to take a few snaps and let us know what you think! Share on social using #WeAreUR, and we may well repost your content.