30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

Ascend London’s iconic pickle-shaped skyscraper for panoramic views and fine dining.

Standing proudly in London’s financial district, The Gherkin is a neo-futuristic masterpiece that revolutionized the city’s skyline with its distinctive curved silhouette and innovative sustainable design.

Highlights:

• Sip champagne at Searcys’ Iris Bar while gazing through the glass lens at the top, offering 360-degree views of London’s spectacular skyline.
• Dine in contemporary luxury at the 39th-floor restaurant, savoring seasonal British cuisine amidst one of the city’s most exclusive settings.
• Marvel at the revolutionary diagrid structure that eliminates the need for internal columns, creating stunning, light-filled open spaces unlike any other skyscraper.

Tickets & Prices

Access to The Gherkin is primarily limited to those with reservations at Searcys restaurant and bar on the upper floors or guests attending private events.

While the building primarily serves as office space for various companies, the top floors have been opened for dining experiences and special celebrations.

Booking well in advance is essential, especially for evening slots when the panoramic views of London are at their most impressive.

Tours

The Gherkin doesn’t offer regular public tours as it’s primarily a working office building. However, visitors can experience the building by booking a table at Searcys restaurant or attending scheduled events.

The top floors, including the 39th-floor restaurant and 40th-floor Iris Bar, provide the most spectacular aspects of the building with their panoramic views.

Private events and special occasion packages are available for those looking to host celebrations within this iconic setting.

Opening Hours

Searcys at The Gherkin, located on the top floors, is typically open Monday through Friday, with specific hours varying by season and for special events. The restaurant generally serves lunch and dinner on weekdays, while the Iris Bar operates with extended evening hours.

The main office building operates standard business hours but remains closed to the general public except for those with specific appointments or dining reservations.

What to See and Do

There’s plenty to experience when visiting this iconic London landmark. Here are the top things to do at The Gherkin that make it worth the trip.

Enjoy Sky-High Dining at Searcys Restaurant

Located on the 39th floor, Searcys Restaurant delivers more than just a meal—it’s a full sensory experience. The contemporary British menu changes with the seasons, featuring dishes thoughtfully prepared to match the surroundings.

But the real star here is the setting. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the space, revealing uninterrupted views of London from every angle. As the sun sets, the city begins to sparkle, creating a magical backdrop for your evening.

The restaurant’s sleek décor and soft lighting strike a perfect balance—elegant yet understated, allowing the views to take centre stage.

For those marking a special occasion, private dining rooms on the 38th floor offer a more secluded space while still soaking up those breathtaking views.

Sip Cocktails at the Iris Bar

The 40th floor houses the stunning Iris Bar, which sits directly under the glass dome at The Gherkin’s summit. This is one of London’s most exclusive drinking spots, and with good reason.

The bar takes its name from the iris-shaped glass lens at the very top of the building—the only curved glass panel in the entire structure.

Order one of their signature cocktails and watch as expert mixologists craft your drink with theatrical flair. The bar menu features creative concoctions inspired by London landmarks, alongside an impressive selection of champagnes and vintage cuvées.

Top tip: Visit during sunset hours when the changing light creates a magical atmosphere as it filters through the diamond-shaped glass panels.

The bar is dimly lit at night to reduce glare and maximize the impact of the city lights below.

Marvel at the Architectural Innovation

Even if you’re not dining at the top, The Gherkin’s architectural brilliance is worth appreciating from ground level.

The building’s distinctive shape isn’t just for show—it serves several practical purposes. The tapered design reduces wind deflection at street level, creating a more comfortable environment for pedestrians below.

Walk around the base of the building to appreciate the diagrid structure—a diagonal grid framework that eliminates the need for internal support columns. This innovative design allows for those stunning open-plan office spaces inside.

What I love most about The Gherkin is how, unlike many skyscrapers, it actually improves the pedestrian experience at ground level. The building narrows toward the base, creating more public space and a less imposing presence on the street.

Photograph the Iconic Silhouette

The Gherkin makes for fantastic photography, both as your subject and as your vantage point. Its distinctive curved shape stands out even among London’s increasingly crowded skyline of modern buildings.

For the best exterior shots, position yourself in one of the narrow streets of the financial district where the building suddenly comes into view. The contrast between the futuristic curves of The Gherkin and the historic buildings nearby creates visually striking images.

Photography tip: Visit during golden hour when sunlight reflects beautifully off the glass facade, creating what some photographers call a “mirrorball effect” as the building catches and fractures the light.

Experience Sustainable Architecture in Action

Long before “sustainability” became a buzzword, The Gherkin was already setting the standard. Thanks to its forward-thinking design, it uses around 50% less energy than a typical office tower of its size.

Those six spiralling light wells aren’t just a design feature—they’re part of a clever natural ventilation system. Together, they form a double-skin façade that helps insulate the building, reducing the need for heating and cooling.

You won’t see this system in action, but knowing you’re inside London’s first ecological skyscraper adds a deeper appreciation to your visit.

It’s a prime example of how architecture can be both beautiful and environmentally smart—something that matters more than ever today.

Directions

The Gherkin stands prominently in the heart of London’s financial district at 30 St Mary Axe. It’s easily accessible by public transport, with Liverpool Street, Aldgate, and Bank Underground stations all within a short walking distance.

From Liverpool Street Station, the most convenient option, head southwest along Bishopsgate and turn left onto Camomile Street, continuing until you reach St Mary Axe Street.

The building’s distinctive shape makes it easy to spot as you approach, serving as its own landmark amid the city skyline.

Nearby Places

Tower of London: Just a short walk from The Gherkin, this historic castle on the River Thames has served as a royal palace, prison, and treasury over its 900-year history.

Don’t miss the Crown Jewels exhibition and the iconic Yeoman Warder tours.

Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street: Often called the “Walkie Talkie” due to its distinctive shape, this building houses London’s highest public garden with spectacular 360-degree views.

Unlike The Gherkin, entry to the Sky Garden is free but requires advance booking.

Leadenhall Market: This beautiful covered Victorian market dates back to the 14th century and features ornate roof structures, cobbled floors, and boutique shops.

Harry Potter fans might recognize it as the filming location for Diagon Alley.

St. Paul’s Cathedral: Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece is one of London’s most iconic buildings, with its distinctive dome dominating the skyline for over 300 years. Climb to the Golden Gallery for panoramic views of London that rival those from The Gherkin.

Lloyd’s Building: Another architectural marvel near The Gherkin, this “inside-out” building, designed by Richard Rogers, features external elevators and service ducts, creating a striking high-tech aesthetic that contrasts with The Gherkin’s smooth curves.

Did you know that: (5 Interesting Facts!)

1. Despite its curved appearance, only one piece of glass on the entire Gherkin is actually curved—the lens at the very top of the building.
2. The building was originally designed with a natural ventilation system using spiral atria, but it failed when tenants installed internal glass partitions that blocked the intended airflow.
3. The Gherkin stands on the former site of the Baltic Exchange and Chamber of Shipping, which were destroyed in the 1992 Provisional IRA bombing.
4. The original proposal for this site was a much taller 92-storey Millennium Tower, but it was rejected due to concerns about scale and flight paths.
5. When sold in 2006, The Gherkin became the most expensive office building in Britain at the time, earning Swiss Re (the original tenant) a profit of approximately £300 million.

History:

• 2001: Construction of The Gherkin begins, following the design by Foster + Partners to replace the Baltic Exchange building damaged in an IRA bombing.
• 2003: Construction is completed in December, with the entire project costing approximately £200 million.
• 2004: The building officially opens in April, with Swiss Re as the original tenant, giving it the early nickname “The Swiss Re Building.”
• 2004: The Gherkin wins the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for architectural excellence.
• 2005: A glass panel incident occurs when one panel, two-thirds up the tower, falls to the plaza below, leading to inspection of all 744 panels.
• 2006: Swiss Re puts the building up for sale, eventually making a profit of around £300 million.
• 2010: Sky News begins broadcasting its Jeff Randall Live business show from studios within The Gherkin.
• 2015: The top floors are made available for private hire and events, including weddings.
• Present Day: The Gherkin remains one of London’s most recognizable buildings, though it’s now surrounded by newer and taller skyscrapers that have joined the evolving London skyline.

FAQ

Map & Address

Address: 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8EP, United Kingdom

Located in the heart of London’s financial district, The Gherkin stands prominently on St Mary Axe, easily accessible from Liverpool Street, Aldgate, and Bank Underground stations.