Visiting the Sky Garden

Every Friday morning four friends and two dogs set off and walk the footpaths of Surrey.  Well, we used to.  Lives change and we are no longer able to devote a morning to rambling so now we meet up in London in interesting places.  Our last jaunt was to the Sky Garden on the top of the Walkie Talkie Building in the heart of the City.

Sky Garden

Looking up, it is hard to believe that there is a public garden up there.  Ears popping after an ultra fast lift took us up 155 meters, we were greeted with a stunning view out over London.

We had booked a table and faced the quandary of what to do; order drinks or rush round gawping at the views.

Sky Garden

We were lucky and had a gloriously sunny evening with interesting clouds, we could see as far as the Surrey Hills that we used to walk in.

Looking East, you could see the great loop of the meandering Thames and at Greenwich the most enormous cruise ship was anchored, a reminder that London remains a port city and Greenwich not just a dry dock for the Cutty Sark.

Visiting the Sky Garden is free if you just want to wander around, but it is best to book a slot.  When you book at table at the Sky Pod bar, as we did, you agree to buy two drinks per person.  There is also a restaurant should you wish to linger longer.  I bet the views are fantastic at night, we will have to visit again in the winter!

Where is your favourite place for great views of London?

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44 Comments

  1. 16 July 2017 / 12:14 am

    Those views are stunning. The Sky Garden sounds like an interesting place to visit. I’ve never been there but I’ll have to add it to my list :-)

    • 16 July 2017 / 8:52 am

      It’s quite child friendly as well

  2. 16 July 2017 / 12:51 am

    I think I’m as taken with the look of the sky garden as the views themselves. I love that you have to have 2 drinks to have a table, I think I might just manage that!

    • 16 July 2017 / 8:51 am

      The space is amazing it’s like a movie set

  3. 16 July 2017 / 1:40 am

    You can keep the flowers, I’ll take the drink. Good looking photos and sounds like a must see experience.

    • 16 July 2017 / 8:49 am

      You could peek at the plants whilst you sip!

  4. sarahmo3w
    16 July 2017 / 7:47 am

    Such fantastic views! I’d love to visit the Sky Garden, but we’re never very organised when we visit London. Will have to book it next time!

    • 16 July 2017 / 8:50 am

      I know what you mean, it took a group of us wanting to go to,push me into booking

  5. 16 July 2017 / 8:10 am

    Wow I’m adding this place to my “must see” bucket list for London.

    • 16 July 2017 / 8:48 am

      Views are stunning and it’s FREE!

    • 16 July 2017 / 8:48 am

      I look forward to see your pictures

  6. 16 July 2017 / 12:47 pm

    I keep seeing beautiful pictures of the Sky Garden and now I think its a sign that I need to go. Is it kid friendly there?

    • 16 July 2017 / 1:05 pm

      It is, more so during the day

  7. 16 July 2017 / 3:24 pm

    Hi Catherine, how fantastic to be able to enjoy the beauty of a garden, such stunning views and a drink all at the same! I bet it’s just as beautiful in winter, in a different way.

    xx

  8. 16 July 2017 / 4:34 pm

    Sky Garden is wonderful. We went up when I was in London with my best friend celebrating our 40ths. Unfortunately itwas a bit foggy when we went up but the views were still pretty special.

  9. 16 July 2017 / 10:06 pm

    Wow this place is amazing! Despite living in London for a good six years I’m disappointed that we never made it there, looks fabulous!

  10. 17 July 2017 / 9:12 am

    Your photos are stunning, they really do it justice. I love your colourful drinks against the blue especially. I didn’t even know this existed. My brother is in London this week so I’m going to share it with him.

  11. 18 July 2017 / 9:29 am

    I didn’t realise you could head up to the Sky Garden for free – I will have to give that a go. I love that in London there is always something you don’t know about! #citytripping

  12. 18 July 2017 / 10:45 am

    The sky garden is so awesome! I went there at night and seeing London all lit up was incredible!

  13. thesecretlifeofanactress
    18 July 2017 / 11:32 am

    I keep on seeing pics of the sky garde, it looks a pretty cool place, I really wanna visit!

  14. 18 July 2017 / 12:35 pm

    I’ve never been here, looks amazing! There’e nothing better than spectacular views with drinks to go with them ;). #citytripping

  15. 18 July 2017 / 1:30 pm

    I still need to go here! The views are stunning…and I’m incredibly impressed you could see as far as the Surrey Hills. You got a wonderful day for it! Thanks for linking #citytripping

  16. 18 July 2017 / 2:43 pm

    I wish I had known about the restaurant before we went bc unfortunately, we paid to go to the viewing platform :( And it was expensive! #CityTripping – Stumbled

  17. 18 July 2017 / 2:59 pm

    We want to go up here. Thank you for all the information…am going to try and book in.

  18. 18 July 2017 / 4:21 pm

    This place is on my list for sure! Such a neat vantage point!! #citytripping

  19. 19 July 2017 / 1:10 am

    Gorgeous pics –gorgeous place! Thanks for sharing it. I will definitely put it on my bucket list.

  20. 19 July 2017 / 10:11 am

    This is definitely one of my favorite places for beautiful &free views of London

  21. I really wanted to visit the Sky Garden when I was last in London but we didn’t have time :( Now it’s a must-visit the next time I’m there :) #citytripping

  22. 22 July 2017 / 7:03 pm

    Wonderful photos! Look forward to seeing tomorrow’s photo!  #mysundayphoto

  23. 3 August 2017 / 9:10 am

    Oh yes please! Looks like a fab place for a mom’s night out! I’m always looking for somewhere to see a city from above – gives a place perspective. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin

    • 3 August 2017 / 9:15 am

      Great place for a night out, I’m planning a nighttime visit in the winter

  24. 3 August 2017 / 9:14 am

    Wow, this is my kind of place!!! Gotta love drinks with a view. On my list for my next London trip :-)
    #FarawayFiles

  25. 3 August 2017 / 10:14 am

    I do love the roof of Queen Elizabeth Hall on the south bank, I’m not sure if it’s open to visitors all the time now. And of course the views from Skylon inside the RFH are lovely. I used to work at southbank centre, so I’ve spent lots of quality time staring out the windows of various places there. ;)
    #FarawayFiles

  26. 3 August 2017 / 3:21 pm

    What a great idea to go rambling with your friends and dogs! I’d never visited the Sky Garden in London, the views are spectacular though. I need to put it on my Must Visit list! #FarawayFiles

    • 3 August 2017 / 3:23 pm

      Rambling in the Surrey Hills has lots to recommend it

  27. Clare Thomson
    3 August 2017 / 7:18 pm

    I can’t believe I’ve still not been to the Sky Garden. I keep meaning to go. Great tips about booking a slot. I’ll remember that. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles

    • 3 August 2017 / 7:21 pm

      Child friendly during the day as well!

  28. Ruth
    4 August 2017 / 4:45 am

    Had no ideas this existed! London keeps surprising me! #farawayfiles

    • 4 August 2017 / 7:43 am

      I think that that is what I love most about it!

  29. 10 August 2017 / 6:51 am

    What a cool thing to have right in the middle on London! It looks so fancy! I’d love to go one day to just enjoy the views #farawayfiles

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