Visiting the Garden at 120 with children: everything you need to know

Hidden away above London’s bustling streets, the Garden at 120 offers a unique urban oasis that’s a great place to visit with your children on a visit to London. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about visiting the Garden at 120 with children in tow to ensure your family outing is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

The Garden at 120: the essentials

What is the Garden at 120?

The Garden 120 is an open-air rooftop viewing platform in the heart of the City of London. The Garden at 120 has an open layout with planting, seating and a water feature (decorative only, not to be played in). It’s an oasis providing welcome respite from the city streets below.

Where is the Garden at 120?

The Garden at 120 is located at 120 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. This rooftop garden is situated atop the Fen Court building, which comprises retail and office space. Designed by Latz + Partner, Fen Court is also home to a restaurant, 14 Hills, which is located just below the rooftop garden.

How high up is the Garden at 120?

The Garden at 120 is on the 15th floor and is 69 metres (226 feet) high.

How old is the Garden at 120?

The Garden at 120 opened to the public in 2019, although just a year later had to shut due to the Covid pandemic. It reopened in December 2021.

How much does it cost to go to the Garden at 120?

It is free to visit the Garden at 120, meaning it is an ideal stop on itinerary for a family on a budget.

Do you need tickets for the Garden at 120?

The Garden at 120 cannot be booked and so tickets are not available. This makes the Garden at 120 the ideal place to visit on a family holiday because it allows for flexibility within your itinerary – there is no need to worry about running late if the previous stop on your itinerary takes longer than you think. It also means that you can choose the best day to visit this open air viewing platform based on the weather conditions during your visit.

What is the capacity of the Garden at 120?

The Garden at 120 has capacity for 107 people.

If you’re wondering how busy it will be at the Garden at 120 at any given time, they have a live online footfall tracker that will give you an idea of how many people are up there.

When is the Garden at 120 open?

Opening hours vary by day and season. Check website for details.

Note that the Garden at 120 is closed on Bank Holidays.

Getting to the Garden at 120

What is the nearest tube to the Garden at 120?

The nearest Tube stations to the Garden at 120 are Aldgate (Metropolitan Line and Circle Line) and Tower Hill (Circle Line and District Line).

Only slightly further away, but still an easy walk, are Liverpool Street (Central Line, Metropolitan Line, Hammersmith and City Line, the Elizabeth Line and the Overground) and Bank (Central Line, Northern Line, Waterloo and City Line, and the DLR).

How do you get into the Garden at 120?

The entrance to the Garden at 120 is found in a covered pedestrian walkway called Hogarth Court, which links Fenchurch Street and Fenchurch Avenue. The ceiling of Hogarth Court is a large video screen which shows different imagery and art installations.

Entrance to The Garden at 120 is only via lift and after passing through a small security area. Upon arrival visitors to the Garden at 120 must go through an airport style security screening process. Bags will be X-Ray scanned and visitors required to go through a walkthrough metal detector before entry is granted.

Once through security there are two public passenger lifts which serve Level 14 (for 14 Hills restaurant) and Level 15 (for the Garden at 120).

How long is the queue for the Garden at 120?

Queue times at the Garden at 120 can vary significantly depending on several factors:

• Time of day: Generally, early mornings and late afternoons tend to have shorter queues. Lunchtime and immediately after work hours often see longer wait times on weekdays as both tourists and local office workers visit.
• Weather: Sunny days, especially in spring and summer, attract more visitors and lead to longer queues. Rainy or cold days often mean shorter wait times.
• Season: Summer is the peak season, with the longest average queue times. Spring and early autumn can also be busy. Winter sees shorter queues, but be aware that the garden may close in very poor weather.
• Special events: City-wide events or holidays can increase visitor numbers and queue times.

To minimise waiting time, consider visiting early or during cooler months. If you’re flexible, check the weather forecast and opt for a less sunny day.

Is there baggage storage at the Garden at 120?

A small suitcase can be admitted if the bag can fit through the x-ray machine but baggage, bottles, or any personal items cannot be stored during your visit.

At the Garden at 120

What can you see from the Garden at 120?

The Garden at 120 offers spectacular 360-degree views of London’s skyline, making it an exciting spot for both adults and children. Here’s what you and your family can expect to see in terms of iconic London landmarks:

• The Shard;
• The Walkie Talkie;
• The Gherkin;
• Canary Wharf;
• Tower Bridge;
• St Paul’s Cathedral;
• The London Eye; and
• The Tower of London.

For children, try turning the view into a game. Can they spot specific landmarks? Can they count the number of cranes on the skyline? Or perhaps see how many planes they can see fly over. If you have a small pair of lightweight binoculars, they might enhance the experience for younger children.

What facilities are there for children at the Garden at 120?

There are toilets available on Level 14, one of which is an accessible WC (you can take the lift from the Garden at 120 down one floor to Level 14). There are baby changing facilities within the WC area on Level 14.

How long can you spend at the Garden at 120?

There is no time limit on how long you can spend at the Garden at 120. How long you stay will depend on you, but not including queuing time, allowing around 30 minutes to explore would probably be enough time.

Can you eat at the Garden at 120?

You can take your own food and drink to the Garden at 120 so it is the ideal place to stop for a bit of lunch. There isn’t any grass on which to spread out a picnic blanket but there is bench seating. Note that glass bottles and alcohol are not allowed.

Alternatively, takeaway food and drinks can be purchased from the Deli at 14 Hills (check website for opening times).

How does the Garden at 120 compare to other viewing platforms like Horizon 22 or the Sky Garden?

For a comparison of the Garden at 120 with other viewing platforms in London, have a look at our post that compares the viewing platforms in London.

Is there a question you have about visiting the Garden at 120 that we haven’t answered here? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to address it.