Gardeners’ World is one of my must-watch programmes on TV and a few episodes back they showed a Roof Garden in Fenchurch Street, London. I told my son about it (the marathon running son), as he lives and works in London. He knew the building but had never been to the garden, so a couple of weeks ago, we met outside Exit 8 of the Bank Underground Station
and made the short walk to Fenchurch Street.
What a place The Sky Garden at 20, Fenchurch Street is!
It is all undercover, the planting is tropical, and on several levels.
It is free to visit but you have to book a time slot – book well in advance as it has become very popular.
Spectacular! but I immediately realised that this was not the garden I had seen on Gardeners’ World. Nevermind, we had a good look around and enjoyed the absolutely breathtaking views of London
and the Thames
Look! The Tower of London and London Bridge
The Shard
The obligatory selfie to send to the rest of the family
And then lunch: there is a bar and a couple of places to eat – a very posh restaurant, right at the top and a more casual area of comfy seating where you can get wraps and baguettes
Looking out of this window, my son spotted another Roof Garden – “That’s it!” I squealed.
So he consulted the internet and discovered that this too was free to visit with no booking system – we could just turn up, so after a bit more of a wander, off we went to find 120, Fenchurch Street ………..
I have yet to go to either. Always forget to book a slot or run out of time to queue. London is such a fab city, I love it!
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The Sky Garden is SO popular that you have to book very far in advance, but we didn’t spend anytime queueing at the other one at 120. It is a great place to be, and it must be wonderful in the Spring when the wisteria is in bloom.
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Wisteria, you got me there. Need to book!
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Wisteria is at 120 – no booking just queueing – just book the train!
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Yes boss
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HaHa! 🙂
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You have shared some fascinating sides to Central London Sandra. I am amazed at the more human scale of the taller buildings, and so many low scale buildings. Here in Melbourne our CBD is a mess of enormous skyscrapers.
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The mix of old and new, tall and small all jumbled together is part of the character of London that I really appreciate. You are amidst buildings that reach to the sky, turn a corner and you stand in front of a medieval church, and the sky opens up. It was such fun to be above so many looking down.
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The views were stupendous – and looks like perfect weather!
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As you say Eliza, it was a perfect day to see those views stretching so far out into the distance.
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I so enjoyed this post! Living on the other side of the pond I was reminded of how thrilling it was to photograph from the top of the Empire State building, but I must say it doesn’t hold a candle to London city vistas! What a great son to share a memory making day.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I went to New York about 12 years ago and loved it, but the scale of the buildings there is rather overwhelming for this country bumpkin! 😉
New York was an exciting place to be though.
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I’d much rather look at the view from there than go up on the London Eye again.
Looking forward to seeing the Gardeners’ World garden next.
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I haven’t been to the London Eye, and maybe after what you say, I don’t need to. I’ll stick to Roof Gardens!
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Your eagle eyes have done you proud! Looking forward to part 2!
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Thank you Kathy, hope you enjoy the sequel. 🙂
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Wow, amazing what is hiding in the centre of big cities like London. And the views are wonderful too. Look forward to the second part!
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So much beauty to find amongst all that unnatural construction – it is fun seeking it out.
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A wonderful place – truly a concrete jungle! Looking forward to more magnificent views in part 2.
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Yes! I was reminded of ant colonies as I looked down and out across the city.
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Phew! Glad part two is to come. Green spaces in a city are always welcome, and people flock to them. The garden you visited is wonderful, and I so enjoyed seeing the selfie of you and your son.
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I’m glad you did as there is another to come in the next post! 😉
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What a wonderful location for a garden. It looks very luscious.
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Really very luscious! It is designated as a public space – a great resource in the middle of the city
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I dearly love a roof garden; in fact, I love all gardens in unexpected places. The one I’d love to visit but never will unless I win the lottery is the Sky Garden at Gardens by the Bay in SIngapore.
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Ooo Kate – you have whetted my appetite – I’m going to look that one up.
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It’s glorious. Trouble is, they completed it after the last trip I was able to make to Singapore; I can’t fly that distance any more because of my back, hence the need for a lottery win so i can cruise there!
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Is it this one:
https://www.alamy.com/facade-of-marina-bay-sands-hotel-and-sky-garden-in-singapore-image221018055.html
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That’s the Marina Sands hotel, which has gardens around the world’s highest swimming pool. Nice, but not a patch on this:
(https://www.marinabaysands.com/singapore-visitors-guide/around-mbs/gardens-by-the-bay.html)
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Now that’s a good son! Part two to come I assume…..
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I’ll tell him that!
Yes, part two to come.
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Gorgeous.
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