
A BIRTHDAY VISIT TO THE SHARD: A THRONE WITH A VIEW
Last Updated on 20th November 2023 by Bejal
I know it may be a little odd that The Shard has been an architectural marvel for a great number of years but I had never been! So it seemed fitting that after My Birthday breakfast at Dishoom, we had planned a late morning visit. For a cold crisp December day, I actually couldn’t believe our luck as the skies were blue and bright, the sun was shining and the clouds had disappeared. We were all set to take in the panoramic views of the city of London spanning 40 miles.
So in we went, had the all-important security checks and we boarded the lift and after a little bit of ear popping and stomach falling feeling, we stepped out onto the 69 floor. At first it was absolutely mind blowing, I think I kept walking around a few time trying to take it in before I even took my camera out. I just couldn’t believe how great the London vista was from up here and there was something so very unique about it. And yes obviously, then came the frantic snapping from every direction and the selfie-taking and then the multiple requests from couples to take that all important ‘I made it up to the shard’ pic.
SO WHAT DOES YOUR VISIT INCLUDE?
The general admission ticket that we purchased included:
- Access to Level 69, which give you the panoramic views through the glass panels
- Enabled us to walk up the stairs to level 72, which is exposed to the elements and you will see the points of The Shard right above your head. You can purchase champagne, to toast your visit, alternative beverages and snacks here should you wish.
- You can have complimentary access to audio-visual guides in an array of languages to familiarise yourself with this glass panelled slice.
- Making use of the Guest Ambassadors, who will wow you with their knowledge on this great London attraction.
So if you you’re wondering what the title of this post is eluding to…..well one of the ambassadors asked us as we were just about to take the lift back down, if we’d paid a visit to the loos? Strange question as we didn’t really need to go! He said can you go and have a look and let me know what you think. I couldn’t help but feel a little intrigued, so off we went and wait for it………The thrones have the best floor to ceiling aerial view 244m high! And it’s quiet! My tip to anyone going now is, go and use the throne is style. You can take your best pics with no photo bombing!
- I overheard one of the ambassadors saying, that if you’re view is restricted, there is a possibility to return. I would advise contacting The Shard directly if you want to know more.
6. Finally, it is so refreshing to know that you are not on a timed tour. Once you’re in you can take your time as you won’t be kicked out!
6 INTERESTING FACTS I LEARNT FROM THE AMBASSADORS…
- The shard is 306 metres tall and was therefore the tallest building in Western Europe but now Moscow holds that accolade!
- Synonymous with its name, the building is modelled on a shard of glass and is made of 11,000 glass panels, spanning a total area of 56,000 square metres.
- Now remember when I said the lift caused some ear popping? Well, it’s no wonder as the average lift speed is 6 metres per second. If my maths is correct, then it takes 11.5 seconds from level 1 to the alighting point of Level 69!
- The building contains an enormous penthouse which is 244m high and covers 2 floors. Some have compared it to a 7 bedroom mansion and obviously has a price-tag to match of a mere £50 million.
- If you fancy a posh evening meal out with views to match, levels 31-33 are for you. You can choose from Oblix (New York style grill), Hutong (northern Chinese cuisine) or Aqua Shard (contemporary British food)
- I hadn’t actually realised The Shard has 3 viewing platforms. Floor 68 hosts Cloudscape, which features different types of cloud over London. Floor 69 gives you access to interactive telescopes and Floor 72 has you open to the elements which means it can be a little breezy!
There you have it, The Shard. Checked that one off the list after a few years! Let me know if you’ve been and your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you if you’ve dined there as I quite fancy trying Aqua Shard.
We had purchased our tickets online and there was a special offer on at the time, which meant we paid £15 per person to go up and it is necessary to book a time slot for your visit.
The Shard
2 London Bridge St
London SE1 9SG
Tel: 0844 499 7111
More information on the View from the Shard website
À Bientôt…
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