Guys, if you ever make it to London, you definitely have to visit the Sky Garden! It was among my Top 10 Things To Do in London and after I received some questions about my visit, I want to tell you guys all about it! The best thing - you can go there for free!
The building & how to get there
The "Walkie Talkie" is an office building, which is around 160m high and got his name due to his walkie talkie shape. It was opened only in January 2015. It is located on 20 Fenchurch Street right off Monument Station, so you can easily get there via the District and Circle underground lines. The entrance to the garden is on the back side of the building and not the regular office entrance.
The Sky Garden
Located on the 35st floor of the building you can find the amazing three story sky garden. The garden is a mix of cocktail bars, restaurants, areas to sit, mingle and relax, an open air terrace and of course - plants! The plants are mainly Mediterranean and South African species and flourish all year round, so no worries when planning your visit. You can spot African Lilys as well as French Lavender or Rosemary.
Even though the garden itself already makes up for some nice eye candy, the view of the city of London is stunning as well! You'll get a 360° view of London due to the glass walls. Thus you'll be able to spot many sights such as the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge or The Shard.
Tricks and tips
General entrance to the sky garden is free (so far), but you need to buy a ticket to get upstairs in advance as access is limited. You can easily do that online, however you can only book them up to three weeks in advance. If you want to wine and dine in one of the bars or restaurants, you can book a table via their website as well.
You can always walk up to the bar and get a cocktail to go. That way you can enjoy your drink while exploring the sky garden. There are many areas to mingle and you don't need to book a table in advance. I didn't find their table service outstanding anyways and I had much more fun exploring the garden and enjoying the different views with my friend. However, you will only be able to visit the garden for a duration of one hour, if you didn't reserve a table.
The sky garden website includes information about the sunrise and sunset. I recommend timing your visit so that you can enjoy the view just before sunset. That way you can still see all the sights during sunlight but also be able to enjoy a nice sunset and London at night.
Have you been to the sky garden already? Would you go? And did you visit a similar sight in another city already?
Kate recommends: "Adrift in Soho" by Colin Winston is all about saying goodbye to the provinces and pursuing a life full of adventures in London. Harry Preston does exactly that and finds himself in between a world of would-be-artists and deluded romantics who call SoHo and Notting Hill their home during the mid-50s. This novel can be enjoyed during a delight afternoon at the London Sky Garden with a magnificent view of the city.