London’s latest skyscraper, The Shard, designed by architect Renzo Piano is also an amazing new visitor attraction. ‘The View from the Shard’ on floors 69-72 is the only place where it is possible to see all of London at once. The 360 degree panoramic takes in the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Battersea Power Station, Wembley Stadium and the Olympic Park. I went along on a grey and mizzy opening day to see how many London landmarks I could spot.
I love looking down on the world from way up high – be it from a hot air balloon, a plane window or the highest of buildings. I’ve viewed Paris from the Eiffel Tower, Toronto and its islands from the CN Tower, New York from the observation deck of the World Trade Centre and Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon and Rio de Janeiro by helicopter. Obviously I don’t suffer from vertigo. When I heard about The View from the Shard I knew instantly that I had to see my capital city from its highest point.
We started our visit in the lobby before going through security where coats and bags pass through x-ray machines and people through a scanner – much like airport security only friendlier. We’re directed to the first lift through an area with a map of London covering the walls and floor with cryptic clues marking each landmark. The Shard experience is ‘queue free’ because visitors choose the time and date of their visit so with a limited number of tickets available per slot we didn’t have to wait.
The first lift, one of 44 in the building, went up the first 33 floors at a rate of 6 metres a second. We shooshed upwards smoothly and quietly feeling nothing but a small tummy flip as we came to a halt. The lift attendants were chatty and gave out random facts – did you know that 95% of the building’s construction materials are recycled? The second lift whisked us up the next 35 floors to level 68, the cloudscape, and as we stepped out my ears popped. Onwards and upwards and a short flight of stairs and we’re at floor 69 home to the triple-height main viewing gallery. The ascent took no more than a minute; to take the stairs – all 306 flights – doesn’t bear thinking about…
The day had started wet and grey but luckily the rain had cleared and the sun even put in a brief appearance although raindrops still speckled the glass. On a clear day the epic views stretch for up to 40 miles.
We picked out many of the capital’s major landmarks – with the help of twelve interactive telescopes you can pinpoint up to 200 famous buildings and monuments.
After half an hour on this level we climbed up another short set of stairs to reach floor 72 – the highest viewing point of any building in Western Europe at a spectacular height of 244 metres.
Partially open to the elements this level is surrounded by massive shards of glass which gradually taper up to the building’s peak making up the spire and taking The Shard to its full breathtaking 1,016 feet.
Looking up to the peak
11,000 panes of glass to clean
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to ‘View from The Shard’ and I’d love to return and view London at dusk, its lights twinkling in the twilight – although I’m not sure I could justify the sky-high admission price a second time.
What’s to know…
How much time did we spend at The Shard? Set aside 1 to 2 hours – we were there around 1.5 hours and we weren’t rushed through the visit.
Prices – In Advance: Adults: £24.95, Children: £18.95 On the day: Adults: £29.95, Children: £23.95
These Prices for General Admission are valid to 31 Oct 2013
Operating Hours
Daily 9am to 10pm except 25 December. Timed tickets every 30 minutes until last entry at 8.30pm. The Shard closes at 10pm.
Getting there – Tube London Bridge (Northern Line, Jubilee Line) Overground/Network Rail London Bridge
Address
The Shard Viewing Gallery
Bermondsey Street
London SE1
Thank you very much Suzanne for share this picture. It make me wish to visit London, too.
London. That is one of my friend’s dream. She wish to come there one day. And I hope will be reality. Her name is Kaito.
Next time, when me and my friends at there, I will remember you. Because you ever gave your experience to me.
See you….
I hope you get to visit our capital city one day soon
Take care
Then I wish to meet you, there…
See you Suzanne
Breathtaking view…
Not for those afraid of heights though!
All that glass and with a name like The Shard, it all seems so fragile.
But the views are indeed spectacular and (speaking as a would-be tourist in London) seem worth the price. I might not be able to walk up a flight of stairs while being aware of how high we are without getting vertigo, haha, and that third photo from the last almost gave me one. 
Oops sorry Tita – didn’t mean to alarm you!! The views were stunning and we were lucky with the English weather!
I am having a mini protest (all by myself ) about The Shard. I really don’t think it fits into the London Skyline. Normally I would force myself to the top of these things even though I really dislike those kind of heights (am ok with mountains for some reason) but, I’m going to give this one a miss.
Still, there is your blog to show me what I am missing. Thank you
Thanks for stopping by all the same – it’s good to hear a a different point of view and I’m sure you’re not alone
Amazing shots!
Thank you – we were lucky with the weather…
What a great view and an amazing building. Interesting that such a high percentage of it was built with recycled materials. Thanks for sharing this amazing bird’s eye view.
Thank you for dropping by
Interesting read, thanks Suzanne. Great photos and looks like the view is worth the entry fee. Is it true there is a hotel and private appartments in the Shard?
Hi Colin and thanks for stopping by
Shangri La are opening a hotel there this year and there will also be apartments – if not already. Lucy Dodsworth was there today so looking forward to photos from her…
looks amazing and would love to visit, but don’t like the entry ticket price!
Quite a few people commenting on the price! Thank you for stopping by
Reblogged this on Whisk Me To….
Thanks for reblogging
I’m really glad to know about this because I’ll be in London in the fall. I like panoramic views – your pictures are beautiful!
I hope you have a great visit to the Shard – will look forward to your pictures too
Rather vertigo inducing
You got some great shot Suzanne!
Thank you Madhu – fortunately I don’t suffer from vertigo.
Thanks for these Suzanne. I might well use this post as an excuse not to go myself. It is a bit expensive, but then I think The London Eye was also pretty steep when we went there a while ago.
For a family of four the price is ludicrous…
London has …got a new landmark again – never know any city that has changed image so much as London has done the last 20 years, when it’s about food, shopping .. and architecture – very exciting city … and it gave me some fantastic years .. the entertainment has been great since 1970. Great shots … *smile AGAIN!
Can’t go wrong with a view like that!
Agree with you completely on your review of the Shard!! Amazing views but the price is definitely steep. My husband Jim and I went up to see it last Friday night. I’ve lived in London for over a year now so it was wonderful to see the city from up that high.
I have some night pictures on my post if that saves you from paying another 25-30 pounds!
http://www.pagirlgoesabroad.com/view-from-the-shard-experience/
Great views and a very nice experience but at a price. Love your night time shots. Thanks for checking out my post
Expensive but wow those views are amazing. Great pics.
Fabulous views – the railways looked like my little bother’s old Hornby train set!
D’you think Lucy’ll manage snow? Amazing experience, Suze. I’d certainly go up, but I do have a bit of a fright factor with tall buildings since 9/11. And I’m a bit short sighted so I can never see far enough. Overall, I’m glad you saved me £30!
It’s gone up since I booked Jo – we paid £25 so don’t know why that is. Expensive but a birthday treat for my chap
I’ve got a thing about views from high places – love them! Snow would be lovely – such a different view!
That admission price uis a bit eye-watering
I agree but it was my other half’s birthday treat so a special occasion
OMG! Felt dizzy just looking at your pictures!
Great views huh
It is absolutely stunning, both the building and the view. I will be there next time I am in London.
Hope to see some of your photos afterwards – hope you have good weather
I love my views, so am saving up for a trip to the Shard. Does it have a bar on the observation deck?
No bar on the observation deck but there is a restaurant level – although I’m not sure that it’s open yet.. Lucy Dodsworth is going next week so more photos to look forward to!
Fantastic views – great that you got some sun too – can’t wait to see them myself this time next week!
The views are stunning and the whole experience is so slick without being rushed. Hope you have great weather.