The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and the viewing platform on the 72nd floor is the highest in London. The view is breathtaking and you get a real sense of how large London actually is. I lived in London for 20 years, so I’m well aware that it’s pretty big. But seeing the whole city from the top of The Shard was something else altogether.
This view of The Shard was taken from Tower Bridge. It’s a beautiful building on the outside and on the inside. We took a trip up to the top to check it out.
You need to use two lifts to get to the viewing platform. The first lift takes you to the 33rd floor and the second one to the 69th floor. Champagne is available on the 69th floor.
The majority of the people that visit the Shard seem to only visit the 69th floor. You have to walk up to the 72nd floor, but that is much less crowded. For me, the 72nd floor is the best place because it’s open to the elements and you can look up and see the sky. Maybe some people don’t even realize that it exists.
The day we went it was pretty misty, so the view wasn’t great in some directions, but it was still breathtaking. I think the views would be best in the summer.
You get a great view of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, because both are nearby. You can also see HMS Belfast in the bottom left of the image above.
As you can see in the image above, there aren’t many people on the 72nd floor. This makes it ideal for taking photos, as you’re not competing for space with lots of other people.
You get a pretty good view of canary Wharf, and it shows how built up that area has become over the last few decades.
St Paul’s Cathedral is clearly visible, as it’s not too far away. It’s also a little taller than the surrounding buildings.
That’s where I would have liked to be – right at he very top.
Video Of The Shard
Where To Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets online at the official Shard website. If bought online, adult tickets cost £24.95, with discounts for children, students and disabled people. Carers get in for free. Tickets are a little more expensive if bought at The Shard ticket office. The tickets are for 30-minute slots.
How To Get To The Shard
The easiest way to get to The Shard is via London Underground. Get off at London Bridge station, which is on the Northern Line. Once off the train, just follow the clearly marked signs.
Hotels In London
London is one of the world’s greatest cities and has some amazing hotels. We usually book our hotels with Agoda, as they have a fantastic selection and also a price match guarantee. Check out Agoda London to see what’s on offer.
For our first three nights in London we stayed at 73 Suites, which is an aparthotel in Bayswater. You can see our review at 73 Suites Aparthotel, London.
