See London from above for free: four viewpoints and their entry rules

You do not have to pay for the London Eye or The Shard to see London from above. Four City viewpoints admit the public for £0. They can be combined into one City walk, but free admission does not mean entry without conditions.

At a glance

• Horizon 22: 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ; level 58; free, advance booking recommended.
• The Lookout: 8 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ; 50th floor; book a free ticket online.
• Sky Garden: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF; free timed ticket with a one-hour limit.
• The Garden at 120: 120 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 5BA; 15th floor; free with no advance ticket.

The first two are on Bishopsgate. Sky Garden and The Garden at 120 are closer to Fenchurch Street. Do not book consecutive slots too tightly: every venue has security screening and late arrival can remove the guarantee of entry.

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Horizon 22: the highest free gallery

Horizon 22 occupies level 58 of 22 Bishopsgate. The operator advertises 300-degree views; its high-speed lift reaches the gallery in 41 seconds and travels at up to 8 metres per second.

• Price: standard public admission is £0.
• Hours: weekdays 10am–6pm, Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 10am–4pm.
• Ticket: choose a date and time on the official website and keep the QR code.
• Identification: the lead guest must bring photographic ID matching the booking name. Walk-in guests must also show photographic ID.
• Late arrival: entry after the allocated arrival time is not guaranteed.
• Visit length: the operator may limit a visit to 40 minutes after the booked arrival time when needed.

Paid drinks, a digital guide and special experiences are optional and are not required for a standard free visit. Groups of 15 or more use a separate booking route, while visitors needing help can select a special assistance ticket.

The Lookout: a free 50th-floor gallery

The Lookout occupies the 50th floor of 8 Bishopsgate. Its viewing gallery covers 2,500 square feet, approximately 232 square metres. Admission is free, but the official website asks visitors to book a ticket.

• Address: 8 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ.
• Monday and Friday: noon–9pm.
• Tuesday–Thursday: 10.30am–5.30pm.
• Saturday: 11am–6pm.
• Sunday and bank holidays: 10am–5pm.

Do not confuse the free gallery with private evening events: room hire and special events are charged separately.

Sky Garden: free tickets released up to three weeks ahead

Sky Garden is inside 20 Fenchurch Street. Free public access runs from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 11am to 9pm at weekends.

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• Booking: free tickets are released weekly, normally on Monday morning, for dates up to three weeks ahead. Bank holidays can change the release schedule.
• Time inside: the ticket allows one hour from entry.
• Without a ticket: walk-ins are accepted only if capacity permits and are never guaranteed; weekday walk-ins are not accepted after 5pm.
• Identification: Challenge 25 applies. An adult who looks under 25 should carry a passport, photographic driving licence or a card bearing the PASS hologram.
• Children: under-16s cannot enter after 6pm on weekdays or after 9pm at weekends.

A restaurant reservation gives building access without a separate free ticket, but food and drink are charged. A free public ticket does not require any purchase at a bar or restaurant.

The Garden at 120: no ticket and your own food is allowed

This outdoor garden sits on the 15th floor of Fen Court. Admission is free all year and no advance ticket is required.

• Winter, 1 October–31 March: weekdays 10am–6.30pm, weekends until 5pm.
• Summer, 1 April–30 September: weekdays 10am–9pm, weekends until 5pm.
• Bank holidays: closed.
• Food: visitors may bring food and soft drinks; glass bottles and alcohol are prohibited.
• Accessibility: dedicated lifts and step-free rooftop routes.
• Children: under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Airport-style screening operates at the entrance: bags are X-rayed, visitors pass through a metal detector and laptops must be removed for separate screening. A small suitcase is allowed if it fits the scanner. The garden may close during high winds, heat, snow or ice; check the official website and live footfall counter before travelling.

How to visit all four without paying

1. First secure free slots for Horizon 22, The Lookout and Sky Garden.
2. If you only want the view, do not select a paid experience or restaurant package. Look for free ticket, standard ticket or general admission priced at £0.
3. Leave enough time between bookings for walking, queues and security.
4. Keep The Garden at 120 as the flexible stop: no ticket is needed, but hours depend on the season and weather.
5. Carry photographic ID, especially for Horizon 22 and if Challenge 25 may apply at Sky Garden.
6. Check closure notices on the morning of the visit.

What Visit London contributed

Visit London is the city's official visitor guide and is operated by London & Partners. It is useful for discovering places, but some listings also contain commercial and partner offers. Prices, hours and conditions in this guide were therefore checked against the official websites of all four venues.

Information checked on 11 October 2026. Venues may change hours or close because of weather, security requirements or private events. Free admission refers to standard public entry; food, drink, special events and private hire cost extra.