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Book your free Sky Garden visit

Booking type.

Access to the Sky Garden is free of charge on weekdays 10am-6pm and weekends 11am-9pm, see our opening hours here . We ask you to please cancel your ticket if you can no longer make it so we may allow another guest to visit. Tickets are currently available to book up to three weeks in advance. Tickets are only valid for the date and time stated on the ticket and have a time limit of 1hr from time of entry. Although we recommend booking a free access ticket, especially on weekends when it can get busy, if we have space we may be able to accept walk-ins! Come along and ask our team and we will do our best to fit your visit to Sky Garden in. There is no ‘ideal time’ for walk-ins and we always recommend booking a ticket in advance. We are unable accept walk-ins after 5pm on weekdays. Please be aware, if you have a restaurant reservation, you do not need a separate access ticket.  There are occasions when Sky Garden will be closed for public access, see these dates here . Please note that Sky Garden practices challenge 25 policy, encouraging anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID (a card bearing the PASS hologram, a photographic driving license or a passport). The venue reserves the right to deny access. Children under 16 are not able to enter Sky Garden after 6pm weekdays and 9pm weekends.

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Posted on Published: 28th February 2023  - Last updated: 2nd June 2023 Categories Things to do

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

Visiting London’s Sky Garden: Brilliant Views With Free Entry (+ How to Skip the Queues)

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Perched at the top of the Walkie Talkie building, London’s Sky Garden boasts some of the best views in the city. Here’s why you need to go (and insider tips for beating the crowds while you’re at it).

London is a very cool city, but sometimes it can feel like it’s out to bleed you dry and strip you of all your hard-earned money. That’s why when you find something brilliant that also happens to be free, you have to pay a lot of attention.

Guess what? The Sky Garden is both brilliant and free.

The only catch? Pretty much everybody knows it – so it can be tough to get into. Not to worry though. We’re not only going to tell you why you should visit the Sky Garden but also exactly how to do it without the crowds. Win, win right?

First Up, Why Should I Visit the Sky Garden?

What if I told you that there was a sub-tropical garden hidden away between the 34th to 37th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street (affectionately nicknamed the Walkie Talkie building thanks to its unusual appearance – check out the location on my London tourist attractions map ).

What if I also told you that the Walkie Talkie just so happens to command some of the best views in London.

It would sound like somewhere you’d want to go right? Right.

The question is how.

Read Next: Sightseeing in London – Places You Shouldn’t Miss

How to Get into the Sky Garden

Now that we’ve worked out that popping in to the Sky Garden should be at the top of your London Instagram bucket list , the next question is how do you go about getting in.

How do you get into the Sky Garden? Let me count the ways…

In all honesty, it can be a bit of a mind melt going through their website and trying to work out how you can visit without booking years in advance: which is why I’ve put together a handy go-to guide walking you through all of your options below. You’re welcome.

Read Next: Unmissable Things to do and Places to Visit in London That are Completely Free

Sky Garden Tickets

The best-known way to get in is to book yourself some tickets (which are free) on their website. Ticketed entry operates between 10am and 6pm on weekdays and 11am and 9pm at weekends.  

New tickets are released on Mondays, so be quick.

Once booked, the tickets are valid for a particular date and time – you’re allowed to stay one hour from your entry time. Just make sure that you have printed your ticket or have the PDF on your phone as you’ll need it to get through the turnstiles at the bottom floor entrance.

It’s fast, it’s easy – the only snag is that you’re unlikely to be able to grab a ticket for less than two weeks in advance (especially for those much-coveted Saturday evening slots). So you have to be pretty organised, particularly if you’re only in town for a short period of time.

Bearing in mind that here in London, we can’t even accurately forecast the weather for two to three days, so booking a ticket to a spot with some of the best views in London weeks and weeks in advance feels like playing with fire.

After all, who wants to schlepp up to the top of the building, only to find that the city is enveloped in a cloud of smog and looks more depressing than a train full of commuters on a Monday morning? Not us. Not you either. You’re better than that.

That’s why you’re going to love the fact that there’s a secret trick you can use to get into Sky Garden on the day WITHOUT ANY CROWDS. Yes, you heard us right. Sans crowds. Keep reading.

Read Next: One Day in London – The Perfect Itinerary

Walk-In Entry During the Pre-Designated Slots  

So now we’ve established that the Sky Garden booking system is a bit of a pain, the next logical question is how to visit Sky Garden without booking?

The first is to try and nab one of the walk-in spots available between 10am and 11.30am and 2pm and 4.30pm each day.

I’ll be honest, although I’ve had some luck getting into the garden this way, there have been a few times where the walk-in slots have been completely full. It is a gamble.

Visit for Breakfast

This way is so much better IMHO. Did you know that Sky Garden’s Darwin Brasserie opens at 8:30am on weekends? No, neither do most people. That means you get to enter a whole 90 minutes before ticketed entry.

You’ll definitely need to book a table, but there’s no better way to start the day than chowing down on a hearty breakfast whilst overlooking London.

Obviously, it’s not entirely free, but there’s no minimum spend at the restaurant and prices are relatively reasonable.

Not convinced that going at breakfast is worth it? Well, I went for breakfast in the Sky Garden and it was empty – there were around five people wandering around the garden, though it started to get a little busier around 9.30am.

Turns out that the early bird really does catch the worm (and the photographs as it happens).

This is my secret trick. Just don’t tell loads of other people – it’s our rather brilliant little Sky Garden hack.

Visit for Cocktails

Sky Garden’s bars: Sky Pod Bar and City Garden Bar are also open for walk-ins from 6.15pm onwards on weekdays or 9.15pm to 12.45am on Saturdays and 9.15pm to 10.30pm on Sundays if you’d rather pop in for an evening drink.

It is much busier for walk ins during the evening – but it is a pretty good view for your sundowner (and is significantly cheaper than the bars in The Shard so….).

The bars also host DJ nights, so if you fancy having a boogie whilst overlooking London, this is a pretty great option. You can book tickets for the events, which happen between Tuesday and Saturday, here .

Pop in for a Meal

Aside from the Sky Pod Bar and the City Garden Bar, Sky Garden also has two restaurants, Fenchurch and Brasserie where you can book for a meal.

They’re not cheap, and weirdly, the views aren’t as good as those from Sky Pod Bar below, but the food is brilliant and it’s a special location for a meal out.

Book in for a Yoga Class at Sky Garden

Fancy perfecting your warrior pose from 36 floors high? There are also early morning yoga classes on the weekend between 8.30am and 9.30am (though you need to check the schedule as it changes).

You’ll need to take along your own yoga mat as well as an extra layer as it gets a bit chilly up there. Prices start from £20 for the yoga class and you can book here .

PS: Here’s why you should also visit The Barbican Conservatory around the corner too…

Cool Facts about the Sky Garden

It’s london’s highest public garden.

Located between floors 34 to 37 of the Walkie Talkie, Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden.

It was originally meant to be 220 metres high, making it one of the tallest buildings in The City, but people were concerned about how it would affect the view of St Pauls. Because of this, the height was reduced in 2006, leaving it shorter and stumpier.

You can See Most of London’s Biggest Landmarks from It

Handily, the Walkie Talkie is higher than most of the buildings nearby, so you get some pretty cool views of London spread out before you. You can spot many of the city’s biggest landmarks, including The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge , The London Eye , The BT Tower and much more. Enjoy the free views of London without any reservations from any of those landmarks!

The Gardens Are Gorgeous

Much as the views are appealing, the gardens are absolutely gorgeous too. Filled primarily with Mediterranean and South African species, it’s pretty much a world away from anything else you’ll find in London.

The garden is spread out over three terraces, each representing a different kind of habitat.

Mounds of lush greenery are studded with bursts of colour from flowers such as Bird of Paradise and Red Hot Poker – with views of the city and the Thames peeking out from behind.

The best part? The flowers are actually in bloom all year round, so no need to worry about timing your visit to catch them.

The Building Once Melted a Car

Dubbed ‘Scorchgate’, the Sky Garden building actually once melted part of a Jaguar parked on Fenchurch Street below. 

The glass panes gave off so much solar glare that the wing mirrors and side panels on the car began to melt off. Of course, this went viral on social media and Londoners quickly ran to the scene to try and fry eggs on the street using the heat from the Sky Garden. 

A Quick Guide to Sky Garden’s Restaurants and Bars

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fenchurch (@fenchurchrestaurant)

Sitting 37 floors above the chaos that is London, Sky Garden’s signature restaurant Fenchuch serves contemporary cuisine that’s bursting with fresh flavours and one heck of an eyeful of view to go with.

The restaurant opens from 12pm – 9:45pm from Thursday to Sunday (when it closes at 8:30pm).

You can dine a la carte throughout the day but their set lunch menu is rather good value. You can indulge in their delicious menu for £34.50 or £39.50 for two and three courses respectively.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to push the boat out, the restaurant’s five and eight course tasting menus are a real treat.

The restaurant also boasts a brilliant cocktail menu, with drinks inspired by iconic London locations – think a fruity Borough Market and fresh Hampstead cocktail.

Darwin Brasserie

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sky Garden (@sg_skygarden)

Darwin Brasserie is located on the 36th floor of the building. It serves an all-day menu (including a rather delicious breakfast) but also happens to be one of the best brunch spots in the city.

The three-course brunch features stellar dishes such as pressed ham hock terrine and classic eggs florentine (which comes atop caramelised onion hash and slow roast tomatoes) and costs £42.50 per person (drinks are additional and, for the record, aren’t bottomless, even though they used to be).

Top tip: Indulge in a carafe of house wine for just £20 and sip slowly whilst you overlook the impressive skyline .

Sky Pod Bar

Sky Pod is the most relaxed of the food and beverage options in the Sky Garden. Because of this, it’s also my favourite place to enjoy the views.

Opening at 10am (9am on weekends) and closing late, it offers a small range of all day dining options, as well as a rather fabulous array of cocktails in the evenings.

City Garden Bar

Located a floor up from the Sky Pod Bar, the City Garden bar is an alternative spot for a cheeky evening cocktail in the Sky Garden.

What better way to watch the sun go down than with a negroni in hand and a charcuterie board to share?

Larch 

Ok, full disclaimer: Larch is not one of the fancy restaurants with a view like the others in this guide. It’s actually on the ground floor, but that shouldn’t put you off visiting. 

The place serves up a menu of delicious Italian food made from seasonal British produce. The cooking is simple, and should be enjoyed with a glass of something from their extensive wine list. Though if vino’s not your thing they do cocktails that rival any of the other sky garden venues. 

The highlight? Without a doubt the terrace – a laid back spot for a bit of al fresco dining in the warmer months. 

The Cafe Gift Shop 

Ok, we sense that we’re really straying away from the things you can here to read now but Sky Garden’s Cafe and Gift Shop deserves a small mention at least. 

That’s partly because you may just want to grab a quick coffee to go (although if you’re in no rush you can sip one on the top decks), and also because of the selection of fresh pastries that can accompany it.  

Sky Garden London: Practical Information and Map

Address: Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF

Telephone: 0207 337 2344

The Sky Garden is located on floors 34 to 37 of 20 Fenchurch Street – otherwise known as the Walkie Talkie.

The nearest tube station is Monument (Northern Line, Bank branch), but Tower Hill, Tower Gate, Aldgate, Mansion House and Bank Station are less than a ten minute walk away. You can also hop on a train to Fenchurch Street, London Bridge or Cannon Street, all of which are less than 15 minutes walk away from 20 Fenchurch Street.

Because entry to the Sky Garden is mainly through ticketed slots, there’s not really a bad time to visit. Crowds are more controlled meaning you don’t need to fight your way through hordes of people – in other words, you’ll manage to get brilliant views whenever you go.  However, if you are looking to be blown away by the views, you need to make sure you are there for the sunset. The entire Sky Garden is lit up by an orange glow and it’s a really beautiful experience.  The best way to do this is to check the sunset time well in advance and plan so it’s nearer to the end of your slot or restaurant reservation, so you can enjoy the golden hour for longer.

Yes, Sky Garden has access for all. 

No, only guide dogs or other assistance animals are allowed into Sky Garden. 

Potentially, if you’re going to one of the bars. They have the right to refuse you if you can’t prove your age. Obviously this doesn’t count for the golden oldies among you. 

Looking for More London Guides?

• Ultimate London Bucket List
• The Perfect 2 Days in London
• City of London Area Guide

Thursday 13th of June 2019

Great post! This place is definitely on my list. Thanks for these tips.

Julianna Barnaby

Friday 14th of June 2019

Thanks Bianca, I'm so glad you found it useful and I hope you get there soon. Visiting early morning was such an eye-opener for me!

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Visiting the sky garden, london: tips from a local expert.

My hometown of London is a famously expensive city to visit. However, not all of  London’s landmarks come with a hefty price tag attached. You just have to do your homework.

You can soak up 360-degree views of the capital from the Sky Garden without handing over a single pound. It’s one of my favourite London viewpoints.

Get the lowdown on how to get tickets and what to expect with my essential tips for visiting the Sky Garden, London.

IN THIS ARTICLE

What is the Sky Garden, London?

The  Sky Garden is a lush leafy sanctuary wrapped around the top of the 20 Fenchurch Street building, commonly known as the Walkie Talkie.

Designed in 2004 by world-renowned Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, 20 Fenchurch St. incorporates enormous sheets of glass, which grow larger as the eye travels upwards. Looking like a massive shiny sanitary towel, it rises to a height of 160 meters above street level.

Due to its death-ray-wielding ability, during its construction, it was famously dubbed the “Walkie-Scorchie” or “Fryscraper”. Its glass and steel exterior acted as a massive concave mirror during the few hours of the day when the sun shined directly into the building, causing it to melt holes in nearby parked vehicles.

Top Tips for Visiting the Sky Garden, London

1. book your ticket in advance.

Although the Sky Garden is free to visit, you need to book a ticket in advance. As visitor numbers are limited and this garden in the sky is not exactly a well-kept secret, you need to be quick off the mark.

Sky Garden tickets are released weekly – the website will tell you the next release date – and to guarantee a decent slot, you need to book as early as possible. Book timed tickets on the Sky Garden’s website up to three weeks in advance of your visit.

In theory, admission slots are for one hour only but I didn’t see staff try to turf out those who may have overstayed their welcome.

The Sky Garden is open daily for ticket holders from 10 am until 6 pm on weekdays, and from 11 am to 9 pm on weekends. Its bars and restaurants have extended opening hours.

2. You may be able to visit the Sky Garden without booking A FREE ENTRY SLOT

That said, it is not impossible to visit Sky Garden without booking. Here are your options:

Limited spots are available, subject to availability. It’s a bit of a gamble but can pay off.

In 2024, this costs £9.50 and includes a hot drink. Subject to availability.

This costs £18.25 (over 18s only) and includes entertainment from the resident DJ or live band and a glass of Champagne. Subject to availability.

You do not need to book a free public ticket if you are visiting one of the Sky Garden’s eating or drinking venues. Just allow yourself time to check out those views before taking your table.

You can book online up to 60 days in advance for the Sky Garden’s restaurants and bars. Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.

If you are dining in a restaurant, you don’t need to join the entry queue. Instead, join the separate queue to the right of reception.

When booking a table at the Sky Garden bar, you will be allocated to Sky Pod or City Garden Bar based on availability.

• Sky Pod Bar – relaxed indoor bar serving a small range of all-day dining options, as well as evening cocktails
• City Garden Bar – cocktails with a view at this east-facing bar Fenchurch Terrace – elegant space on level 37
• Fenchurch Restaurant – serving contemporary British cuisine on the 37th Floor
• Darwin Brasserie – overlooking the Thames on Level 36, this all-day dining location serves weekend breakfast and brunch
• Larch Restaurant – classic Italian dishes made with seasonal British produce

3. VISIT LATE AFTERNOON IF POSSIBLE

Whatever time of day you visit the Sky Garden, London, you can’t go far wrong.

Thanks to tight regulation of visitor numbers, there are no busy or quiet times of day as such. And as tickets are usually in high demand, you may need to accept the available time slot.   That said, if I had a choice, I would visit late afternoon to watch the sun set over London and linger to see the city lit up (friends who have had dinner there report that the views are spectacular). As ticket holders are shooed out by 6 pm, this option is only available during the shorter days of winter (or if you decide to dine here).

4. don’t plan on taking sensational photos

The Sky Garden may offer some of the best views of London but these are tricky to capture on your camera. Tripods are not allowed.

Reflections in the building’s windows can impair the quality of photographs, particularly if the direction of the sun is against you. Hold your lens as close to the glass as possible to minimise glare and reflections (phones are better for this than cameras).

5. Beware of inclement weather

You need to head to the Sky Garden’s outdoor terrace for the best views of London.  

However, London’s weather is notoriously fickle and this terrace is open to the elements. The building’s security reserves the right to close the terrace due to inclement weather conditions without warning.

My Visit to the Sky Garden

I visited the Sky Garden on a sunny day in September. Although it had been on my radar for some time, I was never organised enough to book a ticket and when one became available I jumped at the chance to visit.

For me, the main reason for visiting the Sky Garden was to have London laid out like a model town in front of me. Its garden was a welcome bonus.

After passing through an airport-style security check, I took the lift to the 35 th  Floor. My first view was looking south over the river with The Shard taking centre stage in all of its splintered splendour.

To the north, the City’s skyscrapers – The Gherkin, the Cheesegrater and NatWest Tower dutifully lined up like chess pieces in a row.

Looking to the east, there was the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, one of London’s most iconic bridges . They resembled toy town models, laid out in brilliant clarity.

Beyond this, the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf stood in a solemn procession. To the west, it was easy to pick out Christopher Wren’s dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral with the BT Tower in the distance.

But the Sky Garden is more than just a viewpoint. The clue is in “Garden”.

The greenery in the Sky Garden itself was been designed by award-winning landscape architects Gillespies and installed by Willerby Landscapes. Individual plants in the terraces are largely Mediterranean and South African species, chosen to work in harmony with the space and light.

When I visited, there were majestic palm fronds, African lilies and birds of paradise (the non-feathered variety) alongside fragrant herbs such as French Lavender and Rosemary.

How to Get to the Sky Garden, London

The visitor entrance to the Sky Garden is on Philpot Lane, at the southwest corner of 20 Fenchurch Street (look for signs at the ground level of the building).   The closest tube station is Monument, just a few minutes walk from the Walkie-Talkie building. Bank, Tower Hill, Tower Gate, Aldgate and Mansion House stations are all within a 10-minute walk.   If you are arriving by rail, the closest mainline stations are London Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and London Bridge.   Bus number 40 stops close by.

The Sky Garden vs. the View From The Shard

Soaring to a height of almost 310 meters above the River Thames, The Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom (and the seventh-tallest in Europe). It is home to The View from The Shard, the highest viewing platform in London.

Like the Sky Garden, The View From The Shard offers 360-degree views of London. But due to its higher vantage point, it has an edge when it comes to those killer views of London.

The very large fly in the ointment is that these views are usually attached to a hefty ticket price.

Although you need to book ahead, entrance to the Sky Garden is free. And with its lush vegetation, it is also more than just a viewing platform with a few bars and restaurants.

In an ideal world, I recommend visiting both The Shard and the Sky Garden. But if you want to save money and can book in advance, I’d plump for the Sky Garden.

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman is a Londoner and has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

Top ways to experience Sky Garden and nearby attractions

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Rafael Viñoly’s 20 Fenchurch Street Welcomes A Lush Sky Garden

By Nick Mafi

Photography by Rhubarb/Sky Garden

Less than a year after its completion, London’s towering 20 Fenchurch Street—nicknamed the Walkie-Talkie for its 579-foot-high concave façade—is no stranger to public scrutiny. The building’s reflective surface has reportedly damaged parked cars, melting their exteriors with its scalding glare. This month, however, Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly’s skyscraper is attracting more favorable attention with its newly opened Sky Garden.

Located at the pinnacle of the building, the Sky Garden offers patrons sweeping views of the city. However, it’s not just the dramatic vistas of London’s skyline that have made the space an instant attraction. British landscape architecture firm Gillespies was commissioned to install drought-resistant Mediterranean and South African foliage around the terrace, creating a lush oasis high above the city streets. Entry to the three-story Sky Garden is free, though with limited space and demand high, visitors must book online in advance.

By Nicolas Milon

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This London Garden In The Sky Offers Beautiful Views Of The City For Free • Sky Garden

If you're looking for swanky views over London for free, look no further than the Sky Garden; the 43rd floor paradise with sights across the Thames.

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

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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!

Practical information

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skygarden.london

1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF

The Sky Garden is one of the most exciting additions to London’s skyline and dining scene. As well as being the capital’s highest public garden, it showcases two destination bars and two beautiful restaurants, alongside a range of private hire options for events.

The Sky Garden is free and open every day, but visits must be booked in advance and spaces become available up to three weeks in advance.

Looking for a unique plan to kick off the weekend? Wander the idyllic gardens and soak up the spectacular views with a cocktail in hand along with the hottest tunes from live bands and house DJs. Check the Sky Garden website for all-night access tickets.

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London symphony orchestra, the lookout, carter lane, new street square, carter lane gardens, st botolph-without-bishopsgate, leadenhall building (the cheesegrater), smithfield market, lloyd’s of london, street food market at the leadenhall building, paternoster square, the old bailey – guided tour, st lawrence jewry, city of london distillery, dabbers social bingo – city, bishopsgate institute, city bouldering, the london centre, dutch church, inner temple, gresham college, holy sepulchre, the national musicians church, barbican centre, barbican cinemas, swingers city, the garden at 120, la scuola cooking school at eataly, st bartholomew’s hospital museum, beers london, barry’s, the spa at four seasons london at ten trinity square, st dunstan in the east church garden, jeff wayne’s the war of the worlds: the immersive experience, barbican architecture tours, city of london information centre, axeperience, sculpture in the city, puttshack bank, city of london guides – private tours, the gunpowder plot, st bartholomew the great church, tower of london, bridewell theatre, guildhall school of music & drama, barbican art gallery & the curve, bloomberg arcade, eastcheap records, barbican theatre, concerts at the barbican, london stone, mansion house, guildhall great hall, guildhall yard, city of london heritage gallery, london’s roman amphitheatre, guildhall art gallery, billingsgate roman house and baths, barbican conservatory, heavenly spa by westin, st mary-le-bow, st. stephen walbrook, the charterhouse, city of london guides – daily guided walks, the monument, st paul’s cathedral, red eight gallery, dr johnson’s house, st bride foundation, the guild church of st dunstan-in-the-west, all hallows by the tower, bank of england museum, tower bridge, london mithraeum bloomberg space, leadenhall market, one new change.

Sky Garden: A Must-Visit Oasis in the Heart of the City

Perched atop the Walkie Talkie building, London’s Sky Garden offers some of the most stunning views of the city. This article will provide readers with insider tips on how to beat the crowds and make the most out of their visit to the Sky Garden.

As one of the few free attractions in London, the Sky Garden has become increasingly popular among tourists and locals alike. However, with popularity comes crowds, making it challenging to secure entry. Fear not, as this article will provide readers with everything they need to know to visit the Sky Garden without the hassle of long lines and wait times.

• 1 First Up, Why Visit the Sky Garden?
• 2.1 Sky Garden Tickets
• 2.2 Walk-In Entry During the Pre-Designated Slots
• 2.3 Visit for Breakfast
• 2.4 Visit for Cocktails
• 2.5 Pop in for a Meal
• 2.6 Book in for a Yoga Class at Sky Garden
• 3.1 It’s London’s Highest Public Garden
• 3.2 You can See Most of London’s Biggest Landmarks from It
• 3.3 The Gardens Are Gorgeous
• 3.4 The Building Once Melted a Car
• 4.1 Fenchurch
• 4.2 Darwin Brasserie
• 4.3 Sky Pod Bar
• 4.4 City Garden Bar
• 4.6 The Cafe Gift Shop

First Up, Why Visit the Sky Garden?

Located on the 34th to 37th floors of the Walkie Talkie building, the Sky Garden is a hidden sub-tropical garden that offers some of the best views in London. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline while surrounded by lush greenery and exotic plants . In addition to the stunning views, the Sky Garden also features several restaurants and bars, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, the Sky Garden is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best that London has to offer.

How to Get into the Sky Garden

If you’re planning a visit to the Sky Garden in London, there are several ways to get in without booking months in advance. This section will walk you through all of the options available to you.

Sky Garden Tickets

The most popular way to get into the Sky Garden is by booking a free ticket on their website. Tickets are released on Mondays and are valid for a particular date and time. Ticketed entry operates between 10am and 6pm on weekdays and 11am and 9pm at weekends. Keep in mind that tickets often sell out quickly, especially for popular weekend slots. Once you have booked your ticket, make sure to print it or have it available on your phone to show at the entrance.

Walk-In Entry During the Pre-Designated Slots

If you haven’t been able to secure a ticket online, you can try your luck with the walk-in spots available each day between 10am and 11:30am and 2pm and 4:30pm. However, there is no guarantee that there will be availability during these times.

Visit for Breakfast

One of the best ways to avoid the crowds and get a head start on your Sky Garden experience is by booking a table at the Darwin Brasserie for breakfast. The restaurant opens at 8:30am on weekends, which means you can enter the Sky Garden 90 minutes before ticketed entry. You’ll need to book a table, but there’s no minimum spend at the restaurant and prices are relatively reasonable.

Visit for Cocktails

If you’d rather visit the Sky Garden for a drink, the Sky Pod Bar and City Garden Bar are open for walk-ins from 6:15pm onwards on weekdays and 9:15pm to 12:45am on Saturdays and 9:15pm to 10:30pm on Sundays. These bars offer a great view of London and often host DJ nights.

Pop in for a Meal

If you’re looking for a more formal dining experience, the Sky Garden has two restaurants, Fenchurch and Brasserie, where you can book a meal. Keep in mind that these restaurants are not cheap, but the food is excellent and the location is special.

Book in for a Yoga Class at Sky Garden

For those looking for a unique experience, the Sky Garden offers early morning yoga classes on weekends between 8:30am and 9:30am. Prices start from £20 for the yoga class, and you’ll need to bring your own yoga mat and an extra layer as it can get chilly up there.

Overall, there are many ways to experience the Sky Garden without having to book months in advance. Whether you’re looking for a meal, a drink, or a yoga class, the Sky Garden has something for everyone.

Cool Facts about the Sky Garden

It’s london’s highest public garden.

The Sky Garden , located between floors 34 to 37 of the Walkie Talkie building , is London’s highest public garden. Originally planned to be one of the tallest buildings in The City , the height was reduced in 2006 due to concerns about its impact on the view of St. Pauls. Despite this, the Sky Garden remains an impressive feat of engineering, offering visitors a unique perspective of London from above.

You can See Most of London’s Biggest Landmarks from It

Visitors to the Sky Garden are treated to stunning panoramic views of London ‘s skyline. From the building’s elevated position, one can spot many of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including The Shard , St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The London Eye, and The BT Tower. Best of all, there is no need to make reservations or pay admission fees to enjoy these free views of London.

The Gardens Are Gorgeous

The Sky Garden’s gardens are a sight to behold. Spread out over three terraces, each representing a different kind of habitat, the gardens are filled with Mediterranean and South African species. The lush greenery is punctuated by bursts of color from flowers such as Bird of Paradise and Red Hot Poker. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city and Thames while strolling through the gardens. What’s more, the flowers are in bloom all year round, making the Sky Garden a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

The Building Once Melted a Car

In a bizarre incident dubbed “Scorchgate,” the Sky Garden building once melted part of a Jaguar parked on Fenchurch Street below. The glass panes of the building gave off so much solar glare that the wing mirrors and side panels on the car began to melt off. This incident went viral on social media, with Londoners flocking to the scene to try and fry eggs on the street using the heat from the Sky Garden. While this incident may have been a minor blip, it is a testament to the building’s unique design and architectural prowess.

A Quick Guide to Sky Garden’s Restaurants and Bars

Located 37 floors above the bustling city of London, Fenchurch is the signature restaurant at Sky Garden. This contemporary restaurant offers a stunning view of the city, along with a menu bursting with fresh flavors.

Fenchurch is open from Thursday to Sunday, from 12pm to 9:45pm (closing at 8:30pm on Sunday). Guests can choose from an a la carte menu throughout the day, but the set lunch menu is particularly good value at £34.50 for one course or £39.50 for two or three courses. For those looking to indulge, the restaurant offers five and eight course tasting menus.

In addition to the delicious food, Fenchurch also boasts a fantastic cocktail menu, featuring drinks inspired by iconic London locations such as Borough Market and Hampstead.

Darwin Brasserie

Located on the 36th floor, Darwin Brasserie is an all-day dining spot that also happens to be one of the best brunch spots in the city. The three-course brunch menu includes dishes such as pressed ham hock terrine and classic eggs florentine, served atop caramelized onion hash and slow roast tomatoes. The brunch costs £42.50 per person, with drinks available for an additional charge (please note that drinks are not bottomless).

Guests can also indulge in a carafe of house wine for just £20 while taking in the impressive skyline.

Sky Pod Bar

For a more relaxed atmosphere, head to Sky Pod Bar. This spot offers a small range of all-day dining options and a fabulous array of cocktails in the evenings. Sky Pod Bar opens at 10am (9am on weekends) and stays open late.

City Garden Bar

Located one floor up from Sky Pod Bar, City Garden Bar is a great spot for a cheeky evening cocktail while taking in the sunset. Guests can enjoy a negroni and a charcuterie board while watching the sun go down.

While not a fancy restaurant with a view, Larch is still worth a visit. This Italian restaurant on the ground floor serves up delicious dishes made from seasonal British produce. The cooking is simple and should be enjoyed with a glass of wine from their extensive wine list. If wine isn’t your thing, Larch also offers cocktails that rival any of the other Sky Garden venues.

The highlight of Larch is undoubtedly the terrace, a laid-back spot for al fresco dining during the warmer months.

The Cafe Gift Shop

Although it may seem out of place among the other dining options, Sky Garden’s Cafe and Gift Shop is worth a mention. Guests can grab a quick coffee to go or enjoy a leisurely sip on the top decks. The selection of fresh pastries is a perfect accompaniment to any coffee.

Sky Garden London: Practical Information and Map

Sky Garden is a public garden located on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building in London, offering panoramic views of the city. The garden is divided into three floors, each with its own unique features. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful greenery, stunning views, and various dining options.

Below is a map of the Sky Garden:

Visitors can access the Sky Garden for free, but they must book a time slot in advance on the official website. The time slots are available for booking up to three weeks in advance. Visitors must arrive 10-15 minutes before their booked time slot to clear security and enter the building. The Sky Garden is open seven days a week, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekends.

The nearest tube stations to the Walkie Talkie building are Monument and Bank, which are both a short walk away. Visitors can also take various bus routes that stop nearby. The building is wheelchair accessible, and there are lifts available to reach the Sky Garden.

In conclusion, the Sky Garden in London is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy breathtaking views of the city while surrounded by beautiful greenery. Visitors should book their time slots in advance, arrive early, and enjoy the various features offered on each floor.

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3 Of The Best Walkie Talkie Apps For Android

W alkie talkies are a fun way to stay in touch despite smartphones having completely taken over our communication. Besides fun activities, walkie talkies are handy for scenarios where quickness and efficiency in conversations matter the most. Whether you just want to use them for recreational or outdoor indulgences or utilities such as security or event planning, you can get a walkie talkie's (push-to-talk) functionality with dedicated apps on your phone without having to buy the actual hardware.

This article discusses three of the most helpful walkie talkie apps for Android phones. We chose the top three apps out of a larger pool by accounting for features, pricing, security, and ease of use.

Besides instantly sending your audio messages to other users , some of these apps also offer additional messaging capabilities with options to secure your chats with encryption ( similar to using Google Messages ), which is something a physical walkie talkie apparatus is incapable of. Most of them also work in the background without significantly slowing your Android device down. It must be noted that all of these apps run on the internet and cannot be used to intercept radio waves or tune into frequencies used by physical walkie talkies. This also means the apps may not work very well in emergency situations where internet services are disrupted. However, you can use Android apps that let you listen to set police broadcasts or shack radio stations out of interest or to stay updated about local activities.

Read more: 12 Things You Should Stop Doing On Your Android Phone Immediately

Zello is one of the oldest walkie talkie apps that have survived the test of time. Unlike most of its competitors, it features a modern and updated interface and has over 100 million downloads on the Google Play Store . Zello is a cross-platform walkie app that works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and even smartwatch operating systems such as Google's Wear OS and Apple's watchOS.

A large push-to-talk icon is placed centrally on Zello's primary screen, but the app also allows you to send text messages and media within channels. You can either join existing broadcast channels or create new ones, which can be set as private or public. For ease, you can also use Zello directly from your phone's notifications shade without opening the app.

Zello also offers a Driving mode with a simplified interface, including larger buttons, colorful cues to indicate when your message is being recorded, and swipe gestures to navigate through different channels.

All of these features are available for free, but Zello also lets you upgrade to a paid version called Zello Work for $8 per month per user. With this, all your chats are end-to-end encrypted, making your quips accessible to no one other than your team members.

Two Way is a simplistic app with a minimal interface built around the push-to-talk functionality. This is a no-fuss app lacking any distracting or gimmick features, which allows the app to run in the background without needing too much power.

The app's main screen is primarily occupied by a large button you hold down to speak. You can start using Two Way without any sign-ups, making it appealing to people uncomfortable with sharing personal details.

The app uses six-digit channel identifiers, analogous to frequency on real walkie talkies. An unlimited number of users can join a channel by entering this number and start communicating instantly, irrespective of their geographical location. You can also search for other broadcasters in any area by using the map view.

Two Way does not store a log or history of the communications other than the list of the recent channels you engaged with. However, the interactions are not encrypted and unmoderated, allowing anyone with the six-digit channel code to listen to join -- just like a physical walkie talkie. So, we recommend not sharing any sensitive information while using it. Further, the app shows ads, which unfortunately can not be removed by paying.

While the other two options in our list appeal mostly to enthusiasts, ProPTT2 is intended for more serious users, with an interface hugely inspired by profession-grade walkie talkie sets. A distinguishing feature of the app is its ability to send quick videos in a push-to-talk fashion.

The app lets you join numerous private and public channels, with quick access to three channels directly from the main screen. Your location is automatically shared with each message, allowing for precise tracking in tactical or industrial applications.

ProPTT2 offers a high degree of customization for the button configurations as well as for voice and video quality. You can turn on the Vox mode, which automatically sends messages as you speak while the app is running in the background.

In addition to Android, ProPTT2 is available on iOS and Windows. Using the eponymous company's proprietary hardware, you can view security footage from actual cameras and communicate with actual UHF or VHF two-way radio systems.

The free version limits you to a single channel with up to 20 users. For $4 per user per month, the paid version activates options for up to 30 channels with 500 members each and one-on-one channels.

Methodology: How We Chose The Best Walkie Talkie Apps For Android

The three walkie-talkie apps listed above were chosen from a larger lot based on a few factors. Although downloads and ratings on the Google Play Store initially helped us gather a range of options, we narrowed our recommendations down to these three after testing the apps. Firstly, we looked at the ease of use of the walkie-talkie functionality and omitted messaging apps that offered push-to-talk as one of the features. We chose options with uncluttered user interfaces and preferred apps that continue to be updated by developers. Instead of selecting similar options, we gravitated towards presenting three very distinct options to help you decide among the three quickly. 

Lastly, we also considered the pricing of the apps; all the apps above can be used for free, while two of them unlock more features if you pay a subscription fee. 

Read the original article on SlashGear .