Garden at 120, London - all you need to know

Garden at 120 was ultimately the only one of the three free viewing points in the City of London that we visited.

We only planned our trip to London four days in advance, and slots at both the Sky Garden and Horizon 22 were already fully booked. However, you don’t need a booking for Garden at 120, and entry is free.

If you want to stay within walking distance of the viewing platform, the Motel One London–Tower Hill is usually a more affordable option in the expensive City. You can walk to Garden at 120 in about 10 minutes.

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Garden at 120: what to expect

Admission: free
Booking: not required
Location: open-air rooftop on the 15th floor
Time to spend there: about 20–40 minutes
Waiting time:usually 5–20 minutes
Biggest advantage: you can turn up without planning ahead
Downside: the view is lower than from the Sky Garden and Horizon 22

Is the Garden at 120 worth a visit?

Definitely yes, especially if there are no bookings left for the better-known free viewing platforms.

The Garden at 120 isn’t as high as the Sky Garden or Horizon 22, but it offers unusual views of the City’s skyscrapers, Tower Bridge and the Thames.

On the roof, you’ll find a garden with flowers, trees, a water feature and several places to sit. It’s a lovely spot for a short break whilst exploring central London.

We visited on a Saturday when the weather was lovely. The queue for security and the lift took only about 5–8 minutes, so we were up there very quickly.

What are the views like?

The Garden at 120 is situated on an open-air rooftop on the 15th floor. It isn’t as high as other well-known viewing points, but this actually allows the details of the surrounding buildings and the hustle and bustle of the City’s streets to stand out more clearly.

From the terrace, you’ll see, in particular:

Tower Bridge and a section of the Thames,
The Shard skyscraper,
the Walkie-Talkie building with the Sky Garden,
the Gherkin and Scalpel skyscrapers,
the towers of the Tower of London.

For photography, the Garden at 120 has one major advantage: the view is not through glass. Photographs are therefore not marred by reflections from the interior. You’ll get the best shots looking towards Tower Bridge and The Shard, or at the skyscrapers in the immediate vicinity.

The entire terrace is outdoors and partly uncovered. You’ll enjoy it most in dry weather and when visibility is good.

Garden at 120, Sky Garden, or Horizon 22?

All three viewing platforms are free, but each is best suited to a different situation:

Garden at 120 – the best last-minute option. No booking is required, the terrace is outdoors and the view isn’t obstructed by glass. However, it is the lowest of the three.
Sky Garden – the best atmosphere and the most interesting interior. It is higher up and offers wider views, but you must book your free entry in advance.
Horizon 22 – the highest free viewing platform in London. It is situated on the 58th floor and offers sweeping views, but it is indoors and usually requires a booking in advance.

If you’re planning your trip in advance, I’d book the Sky Garden or Horizon 22 and add the Garden at 120 as an additional quick stop. For last-minute trips, the Garden at 120 is the safest bet.

Entry and security checks

Tickets aren’t sold at the Garden at 120, and there’s no need to book a time slot. Simply go to the entrance and join the queue.

Before the lift, you’ll go through a security check similar to the one at an airport:

luggage is X-rayed,
visitors pass through a metal detector,
and you must remove your laptop from your luggage.

Queues may form during busy periods. The advantage is that you are not tied to a specific time and can return later.

The entrance is in the Hogarth Court passageway between Fenchurch Street and Fenchurch Avenue. Follow the signs to the public lifts to the 15th floor.

Opening hours

From 1 April to 30 September, opening hours are:

Monday–Friday: 10.00–21.00,
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–17.00.

From 1 October to 31 March, opening hours are:

Monday–Friday: 10.00–18.30,
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–17.00.

Garden at 120 is closed on UK public holidays. Please check the official Fen Court website for current opening hours.

If you want to photograph the sunset, check not only the time of sunset but also the day of your visit. At weekends, it closes at 17:00 even during the summer.

How to get to the Garden at 120

The viewing platform is located at 120 Fenchurch Street in the City of London.

Nearest Underground stations:

Monument – Circle and District lines, about a 5-minute walk,
Tower Hill – Circle and District lines, about an 8-minute walk,
Bank – Central, Northern and Waterloo & City lines, about a 10-minute walk.

Fenchurch Street railway station is just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance. Buses stop on Fenchurch Street and around Gracechurch Street.

Practical information on card payments, fares and travelling by bus can be found in the section on transport in London.

You can easily combine a visit to the Garden at 120 with a trip to the Sky Garden, Leadenhall Market, the Tower of London and a stroll across Tower Bridge to Shad Thames.