27 juli 2015

Sky Garden

This post is also available in: English (Engels)

The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.

Despite my fear of heights, I can’t deny that London looks incredible from up high. I’d already faced my fears when I visited The Shard. But for a spectacular view of London including The Shard, you need to be at London’s latest panorama attraction: the Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie.

The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.
The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.

The good news: it’s free! But you need to book a ticket in advance. I had to wait two weeks, but if you want to visit in the weekend you might need to wait even longer.

Trying to avoid the crowds I arrived the moment they opened, at 10am. But even at that time I wasn’t the only one. After about a ten minute wait to get in, the lift brought us to the 35th floor.

The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.
The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.

It might be a public garden, but the first thing you’ll notice is all the glass…and the light. It’s a nice, bright open space, that reminded me a bit of an airport lounge (after the passport and security check it might have well been) – but then with better views.

Because the views are definitely impressive. Unfortunately due to the strong wind (it was pouring outside) they had to close the terrace soon after I arrived, but when it comes to these heights I don’t mind staying indoors.

The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.
The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.

The Sky Garden has three restaurants: a bar with coffee and some snacks, a brasserie and a ‘refined dining’ restaurant. Surprisingly, the bar has the best view. Both the brasserie and the restaurant seemed very nice, but they only have a couple of tables from where you can look outside.

The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.
The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.
The Sky Garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie in London. A public open space and garden with spectacular views.

After a little less than an hour of walking around, taking photos and even a short coffee break I was ready to leave. In the end it was a bit too much ‘airport’ and not enough garden to really relax and stay longer.

It’s definitely worth a visit though. I can’t say I’ve seen anything like this before, and it’s free. It would be a really great place to meet friends for coffee or drinks (I’m sure the sunset is amazing), if it weren’t for the booking in advance policy.

Website: Sky Garden

Address: 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3BY

Stedentrip | Europa | Londen | Verenigd Koninkrijk

GERELATEERDE ARTIKELEN

13 praktische reistips voor je eerste city trip naar Athene

13 praktische reistips voor je eerste city trip naar Athene

, ,

Een stedentrip Athene is zo leuk! Oude ruïnes, zonnig weer en het lekkerste Griekse eten, wat wil je nog meer? Maar voordat je begint te dromen over je eerste blik op de Akropolis of een route uitstippelt langs gezellige cafés in Plaka (ik heb een aparte post met de leukste bezienswaardigheden), zijn er nog wat handige en praktische tips die je reis net even wat makkelijker en leuker kunnen maken. Zoals welke tijd van het jaar Athene op z’n best is, hoe je je het beste kunt verplaatsen, en hoe laat je in een restaurant moet reserveren om samen met de locals te eten.

Dus hierbij de reistips die ik graag had willen weten voor mijn eerste trip naar Athene.