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The Late Edition

London's evening edition. Independent, updated daily.

AnswerChecked 4 Sep 2026

Which London rooftops can you go up for free?

The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, Horizon 22 at 22 Bishopsgate and Crossrail Place Roof Garden in Canary Wharf all cost nothing. The first two need a free ticket booked in advance; the third needs nothing. Horizon 22 is the highest free view in Europe.

The three free ones

Horizon 22 is on the fifty eighth floor and looks down on everything else in the City, including the Sky Garden. The Sky Garden is lower but planted, with the Thames and Tower Bridge laid out south of it. Crossrail Place is a covered garden rather than a viewpoint, and the only one you can wander into without a booking.

Getting the ticket

Both release free slots a few weeks ahead and both go quickly, sunset first. Cancellations appear constantly, so checking the morning of is worth more than people think. Photo ID and an airport-style security check at both.

The paid ones, and whether they are worth it

The Shard is much higher and costs a great deal. The rooftop bars charge through the drink rather than the door, which is the honest way round, and several of them have a better view than the ticketed decks do.

What is on

3 listings

  1. Free

    Sky Garden

    10:00 Sky Garden, The City

    Three floors of planted terrace at the top of the Walkie Talkie, free but booked in advance and the slots go about three weeks out. Sunset slots go first. Photo identification on the door.

  2. Food and drink From £6

    Netil360 rooftop, Hackney

    16:00 Netil360, Hackney

    A roof above a car park in London Fields with the whole City skyline lined up in front of it. Small, so it fills on a warm evening; the view is the reason rather than the drinks list.

  3. Clubs From £6

    Rooftop at the Bussey Building

    17:00 Copeland Park and the Bussey Building, Peckham

    Peckham's roof bar, up several flights above the old cricket bat factory, looking back at the city from the south. Runs late at the weekend and the yard below keeps going after it shuts.

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