10 Things to Do Near the Sky Garden, London

One of the most popular posts on whatshotblog.com is 10 Things to Know About Visiting the Sky Garden.

Since publishing that, loads of people have asked me for other things to do near the Sky Garden so I’ve finally written it up into a blog post!

If you’re planning a trip to the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, then you need to check out these iconic London sights in the surrounding area. They’re all within a 15-minute walk of the Sky Garden so no excuses! 

St Dustan in the East

2 minute walk from the Sky Garden

St Dunstan in the East is one of London’s best-kept secrets. This church Parish was mostly destroyed in WWII but the ruins are eerily beautiful and remain a public space in the heart of London.

It’s only a 2 minute walk from the Sky Garden it’d be a crying shame not to make a quick pit stop here! It’s my number one recommendation for what to do near the Sky Garden.

These old archways and windows are overgrown with wild leaves now, which only add to their gothic beauty. If you’re looking for a unique place to have a picnic in London, St Dunstan in the East would be perfect too.

Address: St Dunstan in the East, St Dunstan’s Hill, London, EC3R 5DD

The Shard

15 minute walk from the Sky Garden

The Shard itself is a 15-minute walk away from the Sky Garden but if you want to get a decent view of it you needn’t get that close. Instead, walk alongside the bank of the river and you’ll be able to catch a clear view of the Shard and some of the other large London offices.

Don’t you think it bears a striking resemblance to the Eye of Mordor? I’m not the biggest fan of this building’s structure but it is one of the most impressive and newer skyscrapers in London.

Address: The Shard, London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG

The Gherkin

7 minute walk from the Sky Garden

The Gherkin is one of my favourite London skyscrapers both for its name and its perfect shape.

Whilst an unadulterated view of The Gherkin will be difficult because it’s a bit further into the city, you can go and wander around the surrounding area until you get a decent shot.

You can also walk right up to it and admire this magnificent glass structure from right underneath it.

If you’re passing by, you might also consider checking out Swingers Crazy Golf, which is located right under The Gherkin. Keep reading to find out more about Swingers!

Address: The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8EP

Monument to the Great Fire of London

3 minute walk from the Sky Garden

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, located just outside Monument tube station, marks the spot where the Great Fire of London began on the 2nd September 1666.

It’s designed by Robert Hooke and Christopher Wren, the same man who designed St Paul’s Cathedral, and in my opinion, it’s a really underrated sight in London.

If you didn’t get your fix of London’s skyline back at the Sky Garden then consider paying £3 to climb up the Monument to the Great Fire of London for more uninterrupted views of the city.

You’d better save this for a sunny day though because, unlike the Sky Garden, the viewing deck is completely open to the elements!

Address: The Monument, Fish St Hill, London, EC3R 8AH    

Tower Bridge

13 minute walk from the Sky Garden

Tower Bridge is one of the biggest and most beautiful tourist attractions in London. Its grand structure is absolutely magnificent so it’s one of the best places near the Sky Garden to visit.

If you stick around long enough, you’ll see them raise the bridge for large vessels to pass through. You can check the times for this on their website here.

If you’re feeling a little peckish on your walk alongside the river, I’d recommend you stop off for lunch at Coppa, a beautiful restaurant that usually has some sort of cool pods for outdoor eating.

In the winter they have igloos, in the summer they have beautiful summer houses with

Address: Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

Tower of London

10 minute walk from the Sky Garden

The Tower of London famously houses the Crown jewels but up until 1952, it was actually a prison. Today it’s a tourist attraction and you can wander around inside, taking in this medieval castle. 

It’s also a UNESCO world heritage site so it’s well worth putting on your list of things to do in London.

The Sky Garden is one of the top free things to do near the Tower of London so why not combine a trip to both for something old and something new in London?

Fun fact: At least 6 ravens are kept at the Tower at all times. There is a belief that if the ravens are absent, the Kingdom will fall.

Buy tickets on their website here.

Address: Tower of London, St Katharine’s & Wapping, EC3N 4AB

HMS Belfast

15 minute walk from the Sky Garden

The HMS Belfast was once a battleship but is spending it retirement on the Thames a museum. It is said to be the most significant surviving Royal Navy warship from WWII.

All nine decks have been converted into a museum where you can find out more about what life was like onboard an active Navy ship.

This does involve climbing up and down ladders so if mobility is an issue for you then you might prefer to admire it from the outside. 

At the HMS Belfast, you can see the guns that were used on D-Day and go right down into the engine room!

If you book your tickets online, you can save 10%. Find out more on their website here.

Address: HMS Belfast, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2JH

Swingers London

6 minute walk from the Sky Garden

Swingers Crazy Golf in the City has become one of the hottest places in London. This venue is one of the best things to do around the Sky Garden London if you’re looking for an activity to pass the time. 

It’s perfect for dates, birthdays, networking events, and more. I even wrote up a review of why it’s one of the best date locations in London.

It’s crazy golf for over 18s but thankfully it has nothing to do with the swingers you may have thought of at first.

There are two mini-golf courses in this underground venue and you can order your cocktails to be brought to you as you go around the course!

There are also three excellent food stalls inside: Pizza Pilgrims, Patty & Bun and DF/Mexico.

Read: 5 Unique Date Locations in London

Address: 8 Brown’s Buildings, London, EC3A 8AL

Leadenhall Market

2 minute walk from The Sky Garden

Leadenhall Market is one of the most beautiful passages in London. It was opened in 1445 and remains one of the oldest markets in London.

The market primarily sells fresh food but there are also a number of restaurants and pubs lining the market too.

If it seems at all familiar to you, you may recognise it from the Harry Potter films as it was used to represent the area near the Leaky Cauldron.

See my Harry Potter Tour of Oxford University.

Address: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch St, London, EC3V 1LT

Borough Market

13 minute walk from The Sky Garden

Borough Market is the best market in London and you’ll find plenty of fresh produce as well as the best food stalls in the country. There’s fresh cheese, meat, fruit, veg, homemade pickles and more.

You’ll find food from all over the world and don’t be surprised if you have to queue for over half an hour to get to try some of the delicacies from these stalls!

There are also a number of restaurants surrounding the market, such as Padella, supposedly the best pasta in London. Again, you’ll probably have to queue if you want to dine at one of these places!

Address: Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL

If you’ve been wondering what is near the Sky Garden London, wonder no more! There are ten more things to do near the Sky Garden in London. Have I missed any? Let me know in the comments below!

Pin now, read again later! 

If you liked this post, check out these:
10 Things to Know About Visiting the Sky Garden
15 Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
10 Museums to Visit in Paris that Aren’t the Louvre
The Harry Potter Tour of Oxford University