Looking for breathtaking London views that are completely free and require no advanced booking? The Garden at 120 is one of the city’s best free rooftop viewpoints, offering panoramic skyline scenes in a peaceful, beautifully landscaped setting. You’ll find this secret garden located at the top of 120 Fenchurch Street.
This hidden gem is open to the public with no tickets or pre-booking required. Whether you’re sightseeing or just looking for a quiet place above the city buzz, The Garden at 120 is absolutely worth a visit. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know, plus whether it’s a good spot to visit with kids.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
OUR GUIDE TO VISITING THE SKY GARDEN
21 THINGS TO DO AROUND LONDON BRIDGE STATION
PLANNING YOUR FIRST FAMILY TRIP TO LONDON
What is The Garden at 120?
Located in the City of London, at 120 Fenchurch Street, The Garden at 120 is a small but charming rooftop garden and viewpoint.
It’s very nicely designed with plants, benches and glass walls to give you the best views. While it isn’t as high as some of London’s other viewpoints ( it is on the 15th floor, which is 69 metres high), the views are still amazing!
Some of it is covered, but the majority doesn’t have a roof, so try to visit on a dry day!
How to Get There
You’ll find this rooftop garden at 120 Fenchurch Street, in the heart of the city of London. It’s located close to some of London’s other great attractions, such as the Sky Garden, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
The Garden at 120 is well-connected via public transport. I’ve listed the closest tube and train stations below:
- Fenchurch Street Train Station is just a 2-minute walk away.
- Aldgate on the Metropolitan Line and Circle Line is a 4-minute walk.
- Tower Hill is on the Circle and District Line is a 7-minute walk.
- Bank on the Central Line, Northern Line, Waterloo and City Line, and the DLR is an 8-minute walk.
- Liverpool Street is on the Central Line, Metropolitan Line, Hammersmith and City Line, the Elizabeth Line and Overground trains. It is an 11-minute walk.
- London Bridge Station is less than a 20-minute walk. Slightly further than the others, but this is one of London’s main train stations!
When you arrive at 120 Fenchurch Street, you’ll see a covered area called Hogarth Court. (It goes from Fenchurch Street to Fenchurch Avenue). This is where the entrance to The Garden at 120 is located.
When you arrive, you’ll need to go through airport-style security before taking the lift (elevator) up to the viewing platform.
Opening Times and Entry Information
Do you need to book The Garden at 120 tickets in advance? No! One of the great things about this rooftop is that it is completely free and you dont need to book! There is no time limit, so you can stay as long as you like.
I often recommend this secret spot to people who have missed out on getting tickets for the Sky Garden or Horizon 22.
The opening times vary depending on the season, so check the schedule on their website here before you visit. Note: it is closed on UK Bank Holidays.
Whenever we’ve visited, it hasn’t been too crowded, and the line to get in has been quick. They have a live capacity tracker (linked here), so you are able to check how busy it will be before going if you wish.
What Can You See from The Garden at 120?
The Garden at 120 offers panoramic rooftop views of London, including other iconic buildings such as The Shard, the Walkie Talkie (Sky Garden), The Gherkin, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Tower of London.
You’re at eye level with the Gherkin and Walkie Talkie, so these are especially great to see!
Can You Eat at the Garden at 120?
They have their own bar and restaurant, called 14 Hills, which is located on the 14th floor of the 120 Fenchurch Street Building (along with the restrooms). 14 Hills also has a deli that can do takeaway sandwiches, which you could take up to the viewing platform. I haven’t tried this restaurant personally, so I can’t comment on the quality!
You are also allowed to take in your own food (no alcohol), so you can pack a picnic if you wish.
Is The Garden at 120 Good for Kids?
As a London mum, I do most things with my kids in tow. While the Garden at 120 isn’t specifically aimed at children, my children have always enjoyed it. It might not be as relaxing with two under 5 as visiting solo would be, but it’s still a fun family experience.
As it’s not too crowded, kids have space to wander about freely. We like to play a game of “can you spot…” fill in the blank with the landmarks around you.
If you’re visiting with a baby or toddler, the baby changing toilet is on floor 14 with the restaurant.
How Does it Compare to London’s Other Viewing Platforms?
London has a few free places to see great views of the city. The most popular being the Sky Garden (Walkie Talkie) and Horizon 22. If you have time, visit them all, they are free after all! If you have only a short time in London, then I would prioritise.
Personally, we like The Sky Gadren more than Horizon 22, especially with kids. The Rooftop at 120 is a great alternative to the Sky Garden if you aren’t able to book tickets for there. They are also located very close to each other, so you could easily do both in a morning, for example.
Thank you so much for reading our guide about visiting the Garden at 120. We hope you enjoy your visit and you have a lovely day in London!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
OUR GUIDE TO VISITING THE SKY GARDEN
21 THINGS TO DO AROUND LONDON BRIDGE STATION
PLANNING YOUR FIRST FAMILY TRIP TO LONDON
Happy Exploring,
