Attracting more than 20 millions visitors each year, London is one of the most exciting cities of the world. This multicultural city is dotted with myriad of striking attractions, famous museums and art galleries, historical places, shopping arenas, stunning landscapes, and much more. Amongst so much to experience and absorb in this unique city, there is something that stands apart in its modern architectural grandeur, magnitude, and magnificence.
The Shard, an iconic structure in the London skyline, opened up in 2013. This is the second-tallest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom, a 95-storey skyscraper, designed to resemble a shard of glass! The angled glass panes of the London Shard facade present dynamic hues of sunlight and the sky in its reflection of the ever changing weather conditions of London. In its ambit lies the best and the highest view of the capital city of the nation. The unparalleled panoramic view ranging about 40 miles on a clear day from The Shard viewing platform and open air observation deck, coupled with gourmet restaurants and enchanting shops, makes The Shard a must visit attraction in London.
The View from the Shard Tickets
The Spirit of London - Full Day London Tour with View from the Shard
from £109
- See London on a full day tour, and enjoy a Thames River boat ride.
- Visit make a stop at Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard.
- Entry to St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, and the View from The Shard.
- Professional our guide accompanies you.
Why Visit
The Shard is the tallest in Western Europe. The breathtaking view from its observation deck has made it one of London's most iconic attractions. Exploring the structure at your own pace with no time restrictions and standing atop the Shard viewing platform is an unmatched experience.
From the platform, you can have a clear view of so many important landmarks of London, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the City Hall, the Tower of London, and the Tower Bridge. Interactive telescopes with various language options at the Shard viewing platform further enrich your experience by providing information on the monuments visible from here. Level 72 of the Shard is open to the sky, and offers an unbeatable spectacular view of the city.
Your Experience at The Shard
The Shard, located right on London Bridge tube station is easy to access with just a few minutes of walking. As you enter the lobby, you can see animated maps and video screens highlighting the making of The Shard. The sophisticated lifts travelling at six meters per second carry the guests to the Shard Viewing platform in under a minute. They use multimedia, video screens, and mirrors to create the exhilarating effect of rising above iconic landmarks and roofs of London, as well as the effects of the sky and the seasons changing.The transfer lifts on Level 33 portray River Thames taking you through different landmarks of London.
You eventually reach level 68, the ‘cloudscape’ of the Shard. Level 69 is the main Shard viewing gallery, which offers a 360 degree view of the whole city. This level has digital telescopes to explore and view the city around in real time. These interactive devices provide information on over 200 famous landmarks of the city. The most thrilling part of The Shard is Level 72, which is the highest level for viewing. This partially open air gallery gives the guests a complete immersive experience of the view from Shard pinnacle of the building.
What Landmarks Should I Look Out For?
While it is possible to look out up to 40 miles away from the Shard, here are some buildings close by you've got to check out from the Shard:
St. Paul's Cathedral: The seat of the Bishop of London, St. Paul's Cathedral has an iconic dome that adorns the London skyline. A house of worship, it is also one of London's most popular tourist destinations.
Tower of London: Once a royal residence, the Tower of London was also a mint, treasury, armoury, and zoo. With a gruesome past, where a king, three queens, and many other nobles met their ends, the Tower of London is one attraction you just can't miss when in London!
London Eye: This 443 ft tall ferris wheel gets over 35 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of London.
20 Fenchurch Street: Popularly known as the Walkie Talkie due to its shape, the building is the 12th tallest building in London. The building is also home to SkyGarden.
30 St Mary Axe: Known as the Gherkin, it is one of the most recognisable buildings in London.
London City Hall: Located on the South Bank of River Thames, the London City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority.
The View from The Shard - Practical Information
Getting to The Shard
The Tower of London can be easily accessed by public transport.
- Tube: The closest tube station is London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee lines)
- Bus: 43, 48, 141, 149, and 521
- Overground: The closest station is London Bridge
Timings
The View from the Shard opening hours are as follows:
Summer (25 March 2018 - 28 October 2018)
Daily 10 AM - 10 PM.
Last entry at 9 PM.
Winter (29 October 2018 - 24 March 2018)
Monday - Wednesday: 10 AM - 7 PM.
Thursday - Saturday: 10 AM - 10 PM.
Sunday: 10 AM - 7 PM.
Last entry one hour before closing.
Any changes to timings can be found here.
Insider Tips
- Check the weather forecast before you make your bookings. A clear day does full justice to the place.
- Apart from guide dogs and hearing dogs, no other pets are allowed in the Shard.
- The open air viewing platform is usually windy and cold even during summer months, so dress accordingly.
- The sunrise and sunset views from The Shard are absolutely stunning. Try grabbing a slot around these timings.
- The restrooms at the Shard with panoramic windows are one of kind experience. Don't miss that!
The View from The Shard Reviews
We were absolutely blown away by the view from the shard. Can’t explain how exhilarating the experience is, if you love London this has to be the best ever view. A very helpful lady member of staff was informative regarding where places of interest were as they look so different from the 68th floor of the Shard. Don’t go to London without taking in this experience.
It’s got to be the best view in London worth going, just make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to take it all in.
Read what others have to say about The View from The Shard on TripAdvisor.
