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AIBU?

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Sky garden panic

36 replies

LolleePop · 25/09/2024 14:52

Oh no
I've really messed up
Taking DD to London as a treat for her 12th birthday in a fortnight and her biggest wish was to go to the Sky Garden for the view.
Just gone to book and it's sold out.
For some reason, as it is free, I didn't realise there would be booking restrictions. Stupid of me I know, but I'm not thinking clearly at the moment for lots of different reasons (dealing with traumatic life events at the moment).
I can't even begin to afford entry to the Shard, which still has tickets available.
I've just read on another Sky Garden thread here that if you hook to eat in the restaurant, you get free access to the garden. I can't afford for us both to eat there, but the kids menu is £9.99 which you have to pre-book online to secure your place.
My question is, could I order a meal just for my DD? And I could just get a soft drink whilst she eats, then we go to the garden view together....would that work? Or would I have to order a meal for myself as well? Would they refuse us if 2 of us turn up but only 1 kids meal is booked?
Can't find this info on their website.
I've been calling over the past hour - it goes to an automated message and eventually gives you another number to call if you want to talk to someone in person, which I desperately do, but that number keeps saying 'Sorry we are closed'.
I'd enormously appreciate any help or advice.
Really want to make this birthday special for DD after a traumatic time, and now I've completely failed to get her to the main place she wants to go to!

OP posts:
munchbunch12 · 25/09/2024 16:27

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.

muggletops · 25/09/2024 16:31

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.

Livinginaclock · 25/09/2024 18:26

Clt1983 · 25/09/2024 16:21

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.

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.

partygarden · 25/09/2024 18:32

Alicana · 25/09/2024 15:01

Or this at Bishopsgate:

https://booking.8bishopsgate.com/book

If it’s just views, go to St Paul’s and One New Change shopping centre has a free viewing platform with lovely views of St Paul’s and surroundings. No booking or fee. There is a bar there too. you can walk across the wobbly bridge if you’re coming from the south and you’ll have great views on that!

This place is great- much better than Skygarden!

fufulina · 25/09/2024 18:34

Alicana · 25/09/2024 15:01

Or this at Bishopsgate:

https://booking.8bishopsgate.com/book

If it’s just views, go to St Paul’s and One New Change shopping centre has a free viewing platform with lovely views of St Paul’s and surroundings. No booking or fee. There is a bar there too. you can walk across the wobbly bridge if you’re coming from the south and you’ll have great views on that!

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

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 25/09/2024 18:38

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

easylikeasundaymorn · 25/09/2024 18:39

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.

easylikeasundaymorn · 25/09/2024 18:40

fufulina · 25/09/2024 18:34

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

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

Saisong · 25/09/2024 19:44

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 😉)

Plan Your Visit | The Monument

Discover everything you need to know before you climb The Monument to the Great Fire of London including opening times and ticket prices.

https://www.themonument.org.uk/plan-your-visit

LolleePop · 08/10/2024 07:17

Hello!
I just want to say thank you so much for all of your replies and brilliant ideas!!
I'm sorry it's taken me until now to reply but life is very heavy at the moment.
I've researched all your ideas and they are all brilliant, and I have decided we will go to 8Bishopsgate and Horizon22.
Both look fantastic!
We'll also try to walk in to the sky garden but if we can't get in then at least we'll have the other 2 places to go to.
Thank you so much everyone, you've saved our trip and helped me to find alternative places that look just as good as sky garden.
I didn't even know about them, so couldn't have done it without you all!
We're off this coming weekend and we can't wait!
Thank you, I feel a bit overawed by all of your helpfulness.xxx😊

OP posts:
JC03745 · 08/10/2024 09:06

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

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