London · City of London · Views
Glass dome with a garden at the top of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’, with views over the Thames, St Paul's and Tower Bridge.
The Sky Garden is in the tower at 20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ because it widens towards the top. Under the glass roof, ferns and Mediterranean plants grow on terraces, alongside bars, a café and a small south-facing outdoor terrace. There’s airport-style security at the entrance, so bring official photo ID. Easy to combine with St Dunstan-in-the-East, the Tower and a walk across Tower Bridge.
20 Fenchurch Street is a commercial skyscraper in London that takes its name from its address on Fenchurch Street, in the historic City of London financial district. It has been nicknamed "The Walkie-Talkie" because of its distinctive shape, said to resemble a walkie-talkie handset. Construction was completed in spring 2014, and the three-floor "sky garden" was opened in January 2015. The 38-storey building is 160 m (525 ft) tall. Since July 2017, the building has been owned by Lee Kum Kee Groups. Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly and costing over £200 million, 20 Fenchurch Street features a highly distinctive top-heavy form which appears to burst upward and outward. The entrance floor and 34 floors of office space are topped by a large viewing deck. A bar and restaurants are included on the 35th, 36th and 37th floors; these are, with restrictions, open to the public. The tower was originally proposed at nearly 200 m (656 ft) tall but its design was scaled down after concerns about its visual impact on the nearby St Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London.
Three places nearby, in walking order.
Open in daytime, approx. 8 am until evening (unverified)
Bombed-out shell of a church, now home to a small garden, in among the office towers.
Five minutes from the Sky Garden, ideal as a quiet stop before or after. Emptiest early in the day.
Winter (Oct–Mar) Mon–Fri 10 am–6.30 pm, Sat/Sun 10 am–5 pm; summer Mon–Fri until 9 pm
Open-air roof garden on 120 Fenchurch Street, quieter than the Sky Garden, with views of the Tower and the Shard.
Usually no booking needed, security check downstairs. Closed on public holidays; at weekends it shuts as early as 5 pm.
Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, Sat 10 am–5 pm, Sun 10 am–4 pm
Europe's highest free viewpoint, on floor 58 of 22 Bishopsgate, with a 360-degree view over the City.
Book a free timed ticket online and bring the QR code. In winter the sunset falls within opening hours.
Walkable at any time
The bridge at the city's oldest Thames crossing, today a plain structure of 1973, with the best view of Tower Bridge downstream.
Not to be confused with Tower Bridge. Combines well with Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral right at the south end.
Daily 10 am–6 pm, last entry 5 pm
Second World War cruiser moored in front of Tower Bridge. You can explore it across nine decks.
Adults £26.80 without donation. Cheaper online. In winter it may close at 5 pm. You need good shoes for the steep ladders.
Open around the clock
24-hour restaurant on the 40th floor above the City; duck with waffle and a fried egg.
Often space without booking after 11 pm; book for the evening. Dress code smart casual: no tracksuit bottoms, no flip-flops.
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