The View from The Shard

Tower Bridge and The Shard
© The View from The Shard

After being whisked up in two separate lifts at 6 metres per second and climbing a flight of stairs, I found myself standing on the 72^nd floor (244m high) on the highest level on The View from The Shard, the name given to the publicly accessible viewing spaces on the eponymous skyscraper. Out in the partially open gallery, I saw beneath me the star attraction: London.

It was as if I was looking at a model where somebody had pressed a button to make boats sail down the Thames, trains run along tracks, cars drive across Tower Bridge and pedestrians look like an army of ants as they hurried along. Even though it was dull and cloudy, the light kept changing which kept altering the impressive 360 degree panoramic view. 

See the Gerkin from the window and on screen
© The View from The Shard

As the mist cleared, I could see the Thames snaking through the city, its most renowned landmarks appearing from what seemed out of nowhere. Using the Tell: scopes – state-of-the-art telescopes,with touchscreens, you can learn about fabled buildings within your sight. It is easy to while away the hours here. Make sure you visit to the toilets. These are rooms with a view!

Having watched the Shard's splinters of glass shooting into the air as it was being built,  I couldn’t believe that I was actually here at London’s newest landmark and Western Europe’s tallest building. It will be opening its doors to the public in February.  

There has been much discussion about the admission price for The View from The Shard, £24.95 for adults and £18.95 for children for pre-booked, timed and dated tickets, so you won’t have to queue or contend with crowds. (You can pay £100, on the door, if you want to go up straight away.) Is it worth it? 

The EDF Energy London Eye charges £20.28 for adults and £14.07 for a Flexi Standard Ticket, booked online, which entitles you to arrive any time on the day you select. You’ll pay more if you want priority boarding. Your ride lasts 30 minutes.  

A room with a view

At the Shard, there is the touristy, element, being greeted by fun caricatures of the likes of Boris Johnson shining Ken Livingstone’s shoes lining the way to the lifts and specially composed music played by the London Symphony Orchestra to accompany you on your journey to the top. You can spend as long as you like there and it is higher than the London Eye. The unique and amazing perspective of London the Shard offers is an unforgettable experience. So, in a word, yes it is worth it.

By Daralyn Danns

Ticket for the date and time of your choice can be booked in advance.  For more info visit  www.theviewfromtheshard.com