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Discover & Work from the Clouds: Sky Garden, London
Whenever we’re in London, one of our firm favourites is the Sky Garden at 1 Sky Garden Walk (EC3M 8AF), high above the city with 360° views, indoor gardens, a family-friendly vibe and plenty of photo-moments.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit (especially if you’re travelling with children, working remotely, or mixing both).
How to book your visit
Free access: The Sky Garden offers free tickets for the main viewing garden and terrace. You must book a time-slot online in advance. Sky Garden
Availability: Tickets are released up to about 3 weeks ahead, typically in weekly blocks. Sky Garden
Want more than just the free view? There are paid “upgrade” options:
Early-morning tickets (hot drink included) from around £11.50 per person.
Evening/night events (live music/DJs) with drink/food packages.
Dining reservations in the restaurants (e.g., Darwin Brasserie) with “window seats” that ensure premium views — a great back-up if free tickets are all gone.
With littles: Free tickets are a great option (check for child-friendly time-slots). If the free slots are fully booked, consider the breakfast or lunch dining route as an entry path.
Arrive a little early for security screen and lift up to 35th floor. Queues vary. Tripadvisor
What’s inside & why families + digital nomads will love it
The Sky Garden spans floors 35–37 and offers a unique “garden in the sky” feel: greenery, glass dome, terrace. Tripadvisor
For families: Little ones will enjoy spotting red London buses, river traffic, bridges and tall buildings from high up — it’s fun and educational. Plenty of space to walk around and the views are dramatic (so hold hands near terraces!).
For working families/digital nomads:
It’s central in the City of London, so good connectivity.
There are café/bar spaces (e.g., Sky Pod Bar) where you can sit with a drink, get some work done between exploring.
London in general offers good remote-working infrastructure (cafés, coworking spaces, excellent transport). Digital Nomad London Guide
Hidden gem: The terrace opens onto 360° views and you’ll often get less crowded views early morning (if you book the earlier time slot) or weekdays. Sunset views can be spectacular if booked ahead.
Stays & local area tips
Stay somewhere in the City of London / East London / Southwark for easy access to the Sky Garden and central transport links.
Self-catering or serviced apartments are especially useful for families or digital nomads (so you have a workspace + kitchenette).
Work-friendly hotels: Choose ones with good WiFi, a lounge space, and ideally breakfast included (so you can head up to Sky Garden after breakfast easily).
Local within walking distance: The area around Fenchurch Street / Monument is very central, meaning you’re well placed for tube, buses, Thames riverside walks and other family-friendly sites.
Transport & getting around London
Public transport: The London underground (Tube), buses, trains and DLR are all very efficient. For central zones (Zones 1-2) you’ll cover most tourist/work-friendly spots.
Which card/option? Use an Oyster card (pre-paid smart card) or a contactless bank card. Touch in/out on the Tube; touch in when boarding a bus.
Tips for families: Buses allow free transfers within ~1 hour for lots of routes; also, Tube stations often have lifts/escalators, but some older ones don’t — check ahead if you have a buggy.
Taxis / ride-shares: Black cabs and app ride-shares are available — good for when you have luggage or after a long day with kids.
From airports/trains: If you land at Heathrow, Gatwick etc you can connect via Tube/Train + then Tube. Staying central makes it quicker for remote working days and family outings.
Apps: Use the official TfL Go app (Transport for London) for journey planning, service updates. Good for remote-working travellers to plan commute/work-leisure balance.
Currency, taxes & timing
Currency: You’ll be using the British Pound Sterling (£/GBP). Visitlondon.com
Tourist tax: At the moment London does not yet have a mandatory city-wide tourist levy for overnight stays, but it’s under discussion as of the date of this blog publication. So check your accommodation for any extra overnight visitor charges.
Best times to visit:
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September) are ideal: milder weather, fewer crowds than peak summer.
If you’re working remotely + exploring, weekdays may be quieter for cafés/coworking.
Summer is lively, but also busier and accommodation costs higher. For family + nomad combo you might prefer off-peak.
Sample 2-day itinerary (for a working family / digital nomad family)
Day 1
Morning: Arrive or check in at accommodation in central London. Grab breakfast local.
Mid-morning: Visit Sky Garden (free ticket booked) — enjoy the views, take photos, maybe a coffee.
Lunch: Nearby café or in Sky Garden restaurant.
Afternoon: Set up a 2-3-hour remote working session (choose your hotel lounge or a nearby café/co-working spot). Meanwhile, little ones can do a walk around along the Thames or visit the riverside.
Late afternoon: Outing to Tower Bridge & St Katherine’s Dock — fun for kids and suitable for a relaxed stroll.
Evening: Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant nearby. Optional: return to Sky Garden terrace at sunset if booked.
Day 2
Early morning: If you want a premium view, book breakfast at Darwin Brasserie in Sky Garden for a treat.
Working block: Morning remote work session (hotel room or local co-working café). Kids could have an activity nearby (museum, play-zone).
Lunch: Local market or café.
Afternoon: Explore another area e.g., Southbank (walk), ride on the London Eye, or bus around London for sightseeing.
Evening: Wrap up with a relaxed walk, maybe a bus ride across town by night, return to accommodation, pack up or plan next-day travel.
My top Picks for - Hotels & Stays (family-friendly + work-friendly)
serviced apartments with kitchens, washing/dryer facilities, spacious layouts — ideal for families and longer stays
Marlin Apartments London Bridge
family-friendly, apartment style, great for mixing work + family time
central London riverside serviced apartments with coworking & gym access, nice for digital nomads + families.
family apartments with multiple bedrooms, kitchen and living area, good for families needing space.
Collingham Serviced Apartments
child-friendly holiday apartments in London with home-from-home feel for families
Hidden gems & local extras
If free slots at Sky Garden are all booked: Consider booking breakfast or lunch at Darwin Brasserie within Sky Garden — you’ll get access and views, and your meal covers the visit.
Walk a short distance to nearby historic places: The Tower of London side, Tower Bridge walk, St Katherine’s Dock — lovely for kids and remote breaks by the riverside.
For remote-working breaks: Look for cafés a short Tube ride away in Shoreditch or Southbank with good WiFi + plug sockets (London has many).
Less-crowded view: Try early morning slot at Sky Garden and stay a little while — less rush, great for a calm, work-meets-play start to the day.
Evening visit: If you can do an evening slot or book the terrace when the city lights appear — magical for photos and for winding down after working hours.
My Top Picks for - Cafés & Restaurants (family friendly + relaxed for work)
Ivy Market Grill (Covent Garden) — children’s menu, relaxed yet stylish spot good for families.
Seven Dials Market (Covent Garden) — food-hall style, lots of choice, good for picky eaters and families.
Shake Shack (Covent Garden) — casual, kid-friendly burgers & shakes.
Bistrotheque (East London) — fun relaxed vibe, good for brunch and a work-break with kids.
Da Mario (Kensington) — cosy family-run pizza/pasta spot near major attractions; great for a relaxed dinner with kids
A Little Me Time (Ealing) — baby & toddler friendly café, interesting option if you stray a bit further out.
Final thoughts
The Sky Garden offers a fabulous mix of “WOW” city views + relaxed garden atmosphere, and works surprisingly well for families and remote-working travellers. With a little planning (booking free tickets ahead, picking the right accommodation and work/child-friendly cafés), you can blend sightseeing, family time and productivity in London.
