Sky Garden, the free public garden and viewing space at 20 Fenchurch Street, releases its free entry tickets on a fixed weekly schedule rather than opening the whole calendar at once. If you wait until the week you want to visit, the slots are usually already gone.

When Sky Garden releases free tickets

Sky Garden opens a new week of free public-access slots every Monday morning, covering the week that begins three weeks later. So on any given Monday, the week starting in three weeks’ time becomes bookable for the first time.

Many regular visitors report that the booking system tends to update by around 11am UK time, but Sky Garden’s official help centre only commits to “Monday morning” and does not publish an exact minute. If you want the best chance at a specific date or a busy sunset slot, start checking the official booking page from mid-morning and keep refreshing.

How to book a free ticket

Booking in under five minutes

  1. Go to the official ticket store.

    Use the Sky Garden ticket page directly. Avoid third-party resale sites, since public access tickets are free and never need to be bought from a reseller.

  2. Select your ticket quantity.

    Standard public access tickets cost £0.00. Children aged over five need their own ticket in the booking.

  3. Choose a date and one-hour time slot.

    Only dates within the current three-week booking window will show as available. Early morning and quieter weekday slots are usually easier to get than weekend sunset times.

  4. Complete the booking with your details.

    You will need an email address for each visitor. Allow up to 24 hours for the confirmation email to arrive.

  5. Save or print your ticket.

    Bring it along with photographic ID, since Sky Garden checks ID on arrival.

What to do if you miss the Monday release

If the week you wanted has already sold out, you have a few options:

  • Check back for cancellations. Visitors who cancel free up slots throughout the week, so it is worth checking the booking page again closer to your date.
  • Try a free walk-in. Sky Garden’s FAQ confirms a limited number of walk-in slots are available at the door, entirely at staff discretion and subject to capacity. This is never guaranteed, especially at busy times.
  • Book a paid early-morning or evening ticket. According to Sky Garden’s own help centre, early-morning walk-in tickets are sold at the door from £11.50 per person (including a hot drink and garden access), and evening walk-in tickets with a welcome drink and access to DJ or live-music nights start from £15.50 per person. Evening walk-ins require photo ID and are subject to availability.
  • Book a table instead. Reserving a spot at Darwin Brasserie, Fenchurch Restaurant or one of the bars gets you into Sky Garden without a public-access ticket, though you will be paying restaurant or bar prices rather than visiting for free.

Booking for children

Children aged over five need their own ticket included in the booking, even though entry itself is free. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, and one adult may bring a maximum of three children.

What to expect on the day

Public garden ticketed hours are Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, and weekends and bank holidays, 11am to 9pm. If your plans change, cancel your existing booking online and rebook a new slot rather than trying to change the date in person, since date alterations cannot be made on the day.

Getting to Sky Garden

Sky Garden is at 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, inside 20 Fenchurch Street. Monument station is the closest stop, with Tower Hill, Tower Gateway, Aldgate, Bank and Mansion House all within a 10-minute walk. Regular rail services also run into Fenchurch Street, Cannon Street and London Bridge.

Sky Garden ticket questions

Is Sky Garden really free to visit?
Yes. Standard public access tickets cost £0.00 when booked in advance through the official site. Paid options exist for walk-ins and for the restaurants and bars, but the booked public garden visit itself is free.
How far in advance can I book?
Up to three weeks ahead. Each Monday morning, the week that starts three weeks later is released for booking.
Can I just turn up without a ticket?
A limited number of free walk-in slots exist at staff discretion, and Sky Garden also sells paid early-morning and evening walk-in tickets at the door. None of this is guaranteed, so booking in advance is the reliable route.
What happens if tickets for my date have sold out?
Keep checking the booking page for cancellations, try a walk-in slot, or book a table at one of the restaurants or bars, which grants access without a public ticket.
Do babies and toddlers need a ticket?
Children aged five and under do not need their own ticket. Anyone older than five needs a ticket included in the booking, and under-16s must be with an adult.

Source and last check

Details checked on 22 August 2026 directly against Sky Garden’s official site:

Booking rules, prices and opening hours can change. Check the official Sky Garden site before planning a visit around a specific date.

Comparing rooftop views across the city? Read our guide to London’s best free views for other viewpoints that do not need a Monday-morning alarm.