Sky Garden London: Free Tickets, Opening Hours & The Complete Visitor Guide

There is a garden in the clouds above the City of London, and it costs absolutely nothing to visit. The Sky Garden sits at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street — the building Londoners call the Walkie Talkie — and it offers some of the finest free views anywhere in the capital. The catch? You need to plan ahead. This guide explains exactly how the free tickets work, when to go, and how to make the most of your hour in the sky.

What Is the Sky Garden?

The Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, spread across floors 35, 36 and 37 of the Walkie Talkie building, around 155 metres above street level. Inside the vast glass dome you’ll find landscaped terraces planted with Mediterranean and South African species — think tree ferns, lavender, African lilies and birds of paradise — arranged around open viewing decks and an outdoor terrace.

It is not a private attraction in the usual sense. When the building was approved, public access to the garden was part of the deal, which is why entry remains free during public hours. Alongside the gardens there are two restaurants and two bars, but the viewing areas themselves are open to anyone with a ticket. If you are planning a first trip, our guide to the inside of the Sky Garden walks you through the layout floor by floor.

How to Book Your Free Sky Garden Tickets

Free tickets must be booked online in advance through the official Sky Garden website — you cannot simply turn up and expect to get in. Here is how the system works:

When tickets are released

• Release day: New tickets are released on Monday mornings (except bank holidays) for dates up to three weeks ahead, covering the whole week.
• Choose your slot: Entry is by timed slot, and your ticket gives you one hour inside the garden.
• Move fast: Weekend, evening and sunset slots are the first to disappear — often within hours of release. Weekday mornings are far easier to secure.
• Bring photo ID: You will need the booking confirmation plus photo ID that matches the name on the booking.
• Walk-ins: A small number of walk-ins are sometimes accepted when there is space, but they are never guaranteed and are not accepted after 5pm on weekdays.

Our tip: if your dates are fixed, set a reminder for the Monday morning three weeks beforehand — the good slots go quickly.

Sold out? Try the restaurant route

There is one more way in. A confirmed reservation at one of the Sky Garden restaurants also includes access to the garden, which is why plenty of visitors book a table instead of chasing ticket releases — we explain this fully in our guide to Sky Garden restaurants and bars.

Sky Garden Opening Hours

During public hours the garden is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, and Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, 11am to 9pm. The restaurants and bars keep longer evening hours, so the building stays lively well after the public garden closes. Hours can change for private events and maintenance, so always double-check your date on the official site before travelling.

Getting There

The entrance is at 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, a short side street off Fenchurch Street. The nearest Tube stations are Monument (about a three-minute walk), Bank and Tower Hill; Fenchurch Street mainline station is also close by, and Cannon Street and London Bridge stations are within walking distance. From street level, lifts whisk you up to the 35th floor in moments — the jump from City pavement to tropical planting is half the fun.

What You’ll See from the Top

The viewing decks wrap around the building, so the whole story of London unfolds in every direction. To the south, the River Thames curves past, with The Shard rising directly across the water and Tower Bridge downstream. Look west and you’ll pick out St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament; on a clear day you can see as far as Wembley Arch. One of the loveliest details is how close the Tower of London looks — you can peer straight down into its medieval courtyards.

Out on the terraces

Step out onto the open-air terrace on the south side for the classic postcard shot of the Thames and The Shard, then wander to the quieter rear terrace, where the City skyline frames itself between the planting. Most visitors crowd the first balcony they find — the back of the building is calmer, and just as photogenic.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

Weekday mornings are the sweet spot: the light is soft, the decks are at their quietest, and tickets are easiest to get. Sunset is the most popular slot of all — watching the city lights flicker on from 35 floors up is genuinely special — but you will need to book the moment tickets are released. Winter mornings after rain often give the clearest views, while hazy summer afternoons can soften the skyline. If views are your priority, our roundup of the best free views of London compares the Sky Garden with the city’s other sky-high spots.

Security, Bags and Dress Code

Everyone passes through airport-style security before the lifts, so arrive a few minutes early. Liquids are limited, selfie sticks and tripods are not permitted, and large bags may be refused — travel light. There is no dress code for daytime public visits, but from 6pm the bars and restaurants ask for smart casual: no sportswear, gym trainers, flip-flops or baseball caps in the evening venues.

Good to Know

• Tickets are free but essential — set a reminder for Monday morning releases, three weeks before your visit.
• Your public ticket gives you one hour in the garden; restaurant guests are not limited in the same way.
• Children are welcome in public hours, but under-16s cannot stay in the evening bars.
• Rain does not spoil it — most of the garden is under the glass dome, with the terrace as a bonus on dry days.
• This is an independent visitor guide, not the official Sky Garden website — always book through the official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sky Garden London really free?

Yes. Entry to the public garden is completely free during public hours — you just need a free timed ticket booked in advance. You only pay if you choose to eat or drink in the restaurants and bars.

How far in advance can I book Sky Garden tickets?

Tickets are released on Monday mornings (except bank holidays) for dates up to three weeks ahead. Weekend and sunset slots go fastest, so book early.

Can I visit Sky Garden without booking?

Sometimes. Walk-ins are accepted when there is space, but entry is never guaranteed and they are not accepted after 5pm on weekdays. Booking ahead — or reserving a restaurant table — is safer.

What is the nearest Tube station to Sky Garden?

Monument, about a three-minute walk from the entrance at 1 Sky Garden Walk. Bank and Tower Hill are also close, and Fenchurch Street mainline station is nearby.

Is there a dress code for Sky Garden?

Not for daytime public visits. From 6pm, though, the bars and restaurants ask for smart casual — no sportswear, gym trainers, flip-flops or baseball caps in the evening venues.