If you want free rooftop views in London with no booking hassle, this is it! The Garden at 120 on Fenchurch Street is London’s largest public open rooftop garden, sitting 15 storeys above the City with panoramic skyline views stretching across Tower Bridge, The Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie, and beyond.
But this isn’t just a viewing platform. Expect tropical plants, lavender paths, seasonal flowers, shaded pergolas, and open-air terraces that feel like a hidden sky garden in the City. In spring, the wisteria in bloom adds an extra burst of scent and colour.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you to London’s best-kept free rooftop escape: The Garden at 120!
The Garden at 120 in the heart of the City
Getting here is super easy. I got off at Bank station and walked through one of those classic City of London streets where Roman walls sit right next to glass towers. It’s one of those routes that really rewards a curious walk.
On the way, I passed the Walkie Talkie building and Sky Garden and couldn’t resist pausing for a second to admire these huge landmarks before continuing on my route.
Then I headed towards Fenchurch Street, following the signs to Hogarth Court. The entrance is just off there, so keep an eye out for the signs as it’s easy to miss!
Once up on the rooftop, 15 floors above the City, it honestly felt like the chaos just melted away. Replaced by greenery, open skies, and those views that make you stop and think: “wow… London really does this sometimes.”
Can you just turn up? yes, and that's the best part. No advance booking needed. You don't need to book any slots in advance, just turned up.
The Garden at 120 is free to visit and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making it one of the best spontaneous things to do in the City of London.
There's a short bag check queue at the entrance, but it moves fast. It's also a brilliant Sky Garden alternative for days when you've forgotten to book ahead.
Now let’s see what makes The Garden at 120 such a delightful spot in the heart of the City.
The Garden at 120, your sky-high escape in the City
The Garden at 120 was designed by German landscape architects Latz + Partner and opened in 2019, winning multiple awards for its bold vision of what a rooftop can be.
It's home to 85 Italian wisteria trees, over 30 fruit trees, a 200-foot flowing water feature, and a dreamy pergola structure that feels more Mediterranean hilltop than London Square Mile. Come spring, the whole space is transformed, but more on that in a moment.
At 15 stories high, The Garden at 120 offers breathtaking 360-degree views of London. From here, you can spot landmarks like Tower Bridge, The Shard, The Walkie Talkie, and The Gherkin, among others.
I found myself completely absorbed, just spotting London’s landmarks in the distance one after another!
The Garden at 120 is widely considered one of London’s largest open public rooftop spaces, and it really is a hidden gem. I can only hope more high-rise architects take inspiration from places like this.
It does make you notice how many rooftops across the City still feel so grey and underused, especially in a city that’s otherwise so rich in greenery and parks.
I’m really drawn to the pergola structure and its geometry. The clean lines from the floor flow naturally into the design above, blending together in a way that creates these beautiful, unexpected compositions throughout the space.
The openness of the space is amazing. I first visited the garden during half term and it was unexpectedly quiet, which allowed me to enjoy the peacefulness of the place. It was absolutely divine to recharge the batteries!
The Garden at 120 in Spring: London's most magical wisteria moment
If you thought this rooftop was beautiful before, wait until you see it in spring! Every year, the Garden at 120 undergoes a quiet transformation that makes it arguably one of the most photogenic spots in the entire city.
Eighty-five Italian wisteria trees run along the pergola, and when they bloom they turn into soft cascades of pale violet that fill the air with colour and scent.
One minute you’re looking out at The Shard and Tower Bridge, the next you’re completely distracted by wisteria hanging right above you.
London wisteria season typically peaks in late April and May, and the Garden at 120 is quietly becoming one of the best places in the city to see it. The combination of lilac blooms against a steel-and-glass London skyline is genuinely unlike anything else.
It's also, unsurprisingly, a gift for photographers. The pergola creates natural framing, the light in late afternoon is stunning, and the crowds are still manageable compared to the more well-known wisteria spots around London. Come on a weekday morning for the most peaceful experience!
14 Stories: the rooftop restaurant hiding one floor below
Here's something most visitors to the Garden at 120 don't know: one floor beneath your feet, on the 14th floor of the same Fen Court building, is one of the City's most show-stopping restaurants. Meet 14 Stories.
Nicknamed “the forest in the sky,” 14 Stories is a foliage-filled restaurant and bar on the 14th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street.
It’s the rooftop’s more glamorous sibling: all hanging greenery, trees rising through the floor, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the same London skyline you’ve just seen from above.
Unlike the garden above, 14 Stories requires a booking, and on a sunny day especially, tables go fast.
Worth planning ahead if you want to combine a rooftop garden visit with a proper City dining experience. It's a brilliant way to turn an afternoon at The Garden at 120 into a full evening out.
The Garden at 120 is the kind of London spot you stumble upon once and keep coming back to. In every season it tells a different story: windswept and dramatic in winter, glorious and floral in spring, buzzing with lunchtime city workers in summer.
Whether you're a Londoner in need of a rooftop reset or a visitor hunting for free London skyline views without the tourist crowds, this place deserves to be on your list!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are about to explore The Garden at 120 soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
See my other London highlights here!
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Everything you need to know about the Garden at 120:
The Garden at 120: 120 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 5BA.
Free access.
No booking required – first come first served basis.
Summer Opening Times: between 1 April – 30 September (Monday to Friday: 10am-9pm; Saturday to Sunday: 10am-5pm)
Winter Opening Times: between 1 October – 31 March (Monday to Friday 10am-6.30pm; Saturday to Sunday 10am-5pm)
Awards:
YUANYE AWARD for Professionals 2020 in the category open space for office buildings and the Gold Award
Green Good Design 2020 Award
City Skyline Award 2019
