Sky garden panic

Thanks for the update OP. I hope you both have a lovely day x

Another idea for interesting views (including of 20 Fenchurch itself) is the Monument - as long as you like climbing steps! https://www.themonument.org.uk/plan-your-visit

They used to do a combined ticket with Tower Bridge, but I'm not sure that's a thing anymore (the ticket I mean, the bridge is still there 😉)

it's not st paul's itself, it's the shopping centre right next to it that's free and has the view.

just a warning with horizon 22, I booked a few weeks ago, turned up and it was closed. No notification, other than the email sent only a few hours earlier reminding me of my visit! Looking on google reviews a few people have said the same on different occasions. So I would be cautious of relying just on that. Maybe book it as an added extra - could queue for on the day tickets in skygarden and then do that at sunset? Fenchurch 120 and new change (the shopping centre by st pauls) are both very quiet and easy to access as alternatives but imho nowhere near as 'good' (either in terms of view or decorations) as skygarden.

Horizon 22 has walk in slots and its's (technically) higher than Sky Garden

St Paul’s is £25 each now. It’s a travesty.

This place is great- much better than Skygarden!

Porridge is £10.50?!!!
Is it gold plated porridge.
Yes, it's London, but that's ludicrously overpriced, and I say that as someone who had lunch at St John Bread & Wine today.

Sky Garden is overrated. If you go to the shard and tell the doorman you have a reservation for the Shangri-La on level 34 or another restaurant then they let you up there and you can see the view and have a coffee/drink. You dont have to prove you have a reservation at the bottom. All free.

I echo pp about horizon 22. We went in the summer and had booked in advance, but they have some 'on the day's tickets too.

If you don’t want to risk a walk up, can you do breakfast at the Darwin Brasserie instead of lunch/dinner? You’ll still get access to Sky Garden with this. Porridge is £10.50 so may be a cheaper option than a later meal.

We did this rather than the Sky Garden.

From looking at the website it seems very clear the restaurant ticket is with the set meal included so £34.50. It says you need the ticket to be guaranteed admission and that you are subject to the minimum spend.

They are not going to grant you access or possibly even let you in if you only buy the child's ticket. They clearly state about IDs and children under 18 having the right to be refused admission so I doubt they would allow her unaccompanied because you didn't get a ticket.

Its hardly bank breaking money if you are going away and thats the one must do activity you promised.

Another vote for Horizon 22, I’ve done both and preferred Horizon 22.

Also echo previous post for Duck and Waffle - the bar is fabulous even for coffee and the outside lift is great fun! Brilliant views

Another vote for Horizon 22, I went on Sunday, and the views were great, even though ir was bit overcast.

Alternatively you could take her for a drink, coffee/hot chocolate at Duck & Waffle which has a glass lift up to the 40th floor.

duckandwaffle.com/london/

I work in the building - if it’s a weekday I can sign you in (if you promise you’re not a terrorist).

Doubtful the Sky Garden would let you just buy a kids meal as they are a bit fancy, however as others have said you may have luck with walk-ins. When went previously I had to book tickets at the time of the ticket drop several weeks before unfortunately. Some other good alternative view suggestions in this thread also.

Another albeit probably silly suggestion as she’s likely too young/not her thing - there’s a yoga class that runs every Saturday at the sky garden which is easy to book onto and after the yoga you can stay and get a drink etc. Might be worth a look.

Or, for a great view of the river and traffic below you could climb Tower Bridge, it's £12.50 for adults, not sure about kids.
Parliament Hill is obviously free too.

I've got in on walks in twice. Once mid morning and just walked in and once at about 3pm on a Saturday and queued for about 20 minutes.

Horizon 22 @ 22 Bishopsgate is free

Plan your visit - Horizon 22

I went up Horizon 22 last week, totally free.

Definitely try Horizon 22, it's free and higher than the sky garden!

Hi OP,
I’ve been to the Sky Garden twice. Once about 3 years ago, we booked online and went in a separate queue which got us to the top a little quicker, but not that much.

I also went just three weeks ago. It was a bit of a last-minute decision so we had not booked. We went in the non-booked queue and waited about 15 minutes. We were quite early, around 10.30am. We didn’t have to buy any food, but did have a couple of croissants and a drink, which weren’t too expensive.

If I were you I would aim to go quite early and you should be ok. We were just there on a Friday, I’d assume it might be busier at weekends. I think there might be a ‘proper’ restaurant that you’re thinking of, but we just went to the café in the actual garden area and the tables even had notices on them saying that you didn’t have to buy food/drinks to sit at them.

It’s a lovely experience, I hope it works out for you and your DD.