notes.husk.org/likes images.

Went to visit the SkyGarden over the weekend. It’s had some bad press, mostly over its dubious ‘public garden’ status. Getting up there was a bit awkward. I had to reserve a free ticket week or so in advance (it’s even more book up now), the entrance is at the back of the building, and the queue for the X-Ray machine was a little confused, and cold, on account of the sliding entrance doors being stuck open. We had to abandon a water bottle, but at least they accepted a quick glance at a debit card as a form of 'id’, which was handy as I hadn’t realise I’d need one.

There the hassles end though, and it’s into the lift and straight up into the garden. No lift commentary, no being stopped to endure a blue screen photograph, no hawkers selling panorama guides — all things you get when visiting other skyscraper viewing platforms.

Instead, straight into the garden. And it’s big. You can walk around all four edges to get a full view, and a good view it is. Right in the middle of the most interesting bit of London, and not so high up that everything is unrecognisable. Some things actually make more sense from up here. The Tower of London actually looks like a menacing castle, the Thames looks meandery, the railway lines look like arteries. It was also amazing to see just how many construction sites there were around.

The garden itself is tasteful, full of Alpine plants and Palm trees on two slopes — but clearly needs a year or two to bed in.

The balcony out front was closed and wet. Would’ve been a bit cold out there anyhow, but in the Summer, it should be lovely — if terrifying. The building’s bulbous top means that there’s very little beneath you.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. Now just to hope that ticket demand died down enough eventually that more spontaneous visits can be made.