Viewpoint · London
Sky Garden: free view & paid alternatives
Independent guide, not the official Sky Garden website. Official links are under Sources.
Sky Garden is free to visit.
- Open today 10:00–18:00.
- Free tickets are released every Monday morning (excluding bank holidays) for the week three weeks ahead. Limited free walk-ins daily during public hours at staff discretion.
Free vs paid
Is the paid version worth it?
Sky Garden
Free entry to London's highest public garden with a booked free ticket.
Tickets are for a set date and time; visits are limited to one hour. Security check on entry; challenge-25 ID policy and physical ID needed for evening walk-ins. Arriving more than 15 minutes late usually means no entry.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Free entry to London's highest public garden with a booked free ticket: Free tickets are released every Monday morning (excluding bank holidays) for the week three weeks ahead. Limited free walk-ins daily during public hours at staff discretion.
- Set a reminder for Monday morning: that is when free slots for three weeks ahead are released, and popular times go fast.
- No ticket? A restaurant booking (e.g. Darwin Brasserie) also gives garden access, even when free tickets are sold out.
- One visitor lift is currently out of service and capacity is reduced; booked visitors may be delayed.
- Free walk-ins exist but are not guaranteed; bring photo ID in the evening.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeFree entry to London's highest public garden with a booked free ticket | everyone | Tickets are for a set date and time; visits are limited to one hour. Security check on entry; challenge-25 ID policy and physical ID needed for evening walk-ins. Arriving more than 15 minutes late usually means no entry. | Yes |
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Sky Garden
GetYourGuideLondon: Sky Garden Early Access with Pastry and Hot Drink★★★★☆ 4.0 · 1.1k reviews2 hoursfrom £13.50
HeadoutSky Garden Early Access Tickets with Coffee & Croissant★★★★☆ 4.4 · 464 reviewsfrom £18.50- GetYourGuideLondon: Sky Garden Ticket with Breakfast at The Larch★★★★☆ 4.0 · 302 reviews2 hoursfrom £25
HeadoutSky Garden Entry Ticket including Set Menu at the Larch★★★★☆ 4.3 · 76 reviewsfrom £41.80
HeadoutSky Garden Music Night Ticket & Glass of Champagne★★★★☆ 4.4 · 57 reviewsfrom £29.50
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Official prices
Sky Garden ticket prices
| The View from The Shard, standard ticket (13+) — Higher, open-air skydeck view across the river; kids under 4 free with an adult ticket. | £28 |
| Sky Garden sunrise ticket (8-9am) with hot drink and pastry — Paid early slot that is sold even when free tickets are gone. | £11.50 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–18:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–18:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–18:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–18:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sat | 11:00–21:00 |
| Sun | 11:00–21:00 |
Public garden (free ticketed hours): Monday-Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 11am-9pm. Bars and restaurants keep longer hours and require separate bookings.
1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, United Kingdom
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
FAQ
Sky Garden: common questions
Is Sky Garden free?
Yes — Sky Garden is free to visit.
Do I need to book for free entry to Sky Garden?
Free tickets are released every Monday morning (excluding bank holidays) for the week three weeks ahead. Limited free walk-ins daily during public hours at staff discretion.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Sky Garden
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- skygarden.london/faqs-search/ · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- skygarden.london/sky-garden-closure-dates/
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.