Sky Garden

The lowdown

The Sky Garden sits on the top three floors of the building everyone calls the Walkie Talkie, and it is the highest free public viewpoint in London. A great glass dome packed with tropical plants, open-air terraces, and a view that sweeps from the Shard right across to the west.

The one catch, and it is a small one, is that you have to book a free timed slot online in advance. Slots open a few weeks ahead and the sunset ones go quickly, so plan it rather than turning up on spec. There are bars up there if you fancy a drink, but the view itself costs nothing.

Set against the paid platforms across town it is a no-brainer. The Shard charges the better part of forty pounds for its view. This one is green, breezy and free, as long as you remember to book your slot.