London has incredible rooftops, but many of these are accessible only via bars and restaurants that come with steep prices. Here are four rooftops you can visit for free:
Sky Garden
London’s highest public garden, Sky Garden has 360-degree views of the city and can be visited year-round. It has a restaurant, a bar, and is filled to the brim with plants. Although it's enclosed, there is a small open-air section that is open weather permitting. There are ticketed events every now and then, like for Halloween and New Year's. You absolutely must get tickets in advance as it’s quite a popular tourist attraction--although their website states that they can accommodate a limited number of walk-ins, I have never found this to be true.
The Garden at 120
Once you've finished at Sky Garden, head to the open-air rooftop garden, The Garden at 120. It has splendid 360-degree views, including an excellent up-close of the Gherkin. You don't need tickets to enter, but expect a small wait every now and then (the most I've ever had to wait was about fifteen minutes). If you're in the mood for a drink, check out the bar and restaurant 14 Hills right below. Check out its website here.
One New Change
Head to the rooftop of the One New Change shopping center for unparalleled views of St. Paul's Cathedral, which is particularly stunning at sunset. It's very casual, and there's no need to book anything in advance. Don't expect to need too much time here--it's not as nice as Sky Garden or The Garden at 120. If you can't get enough of the view, enjoy a cocktail at the Madison, the bar and restaurant that's also on the rooftop. (It's often ranked as the top rooftop bar in London, which--although I like it--is a bit overrated. It's very much so a "finance bro in Ibiza" kind of vibe.) It's currently closed for construction, but will hopefully be open sooner rather than later. Be on the lookout for updates here.
Coq d’Argent
Only open seasonally, the garden at Coq d'Argent is my absolute favorite place for views, and on Friday evenings during the summer, they offer discounted cocktails accompanied to a DJ set. Although it's attached to a restaurant and bar, you can visit without eating or imbibing. Once you've arrived upstairs, just tell the host that you're headed to the garden. Expect to see a lot of folks wearing work garb, as it's a popular spot for bankers looking to unwind after the day.
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