The Shard: What it is like at the top of London's tallest building.

At 309.6 m (1016 ft) high The Shard is tall - the tallest building in the European Union. Standing at the bottom looking up you get an idea of just how tall, but it is only once you are perched 72 floors and 244 m (801 ft) above street level and look at up (yes - you read that right 'up' not 'down') that you get the full acrophobia-inducing feeling of just how tall the Shard really is. The observation deck is partially open to the air - enough to be able to look through the steel and glass superstructure and see nothing but sky. I defy anyone to stand there, look up and not succumb to a touch of vertigo.

The View from the Shard

What can you see?

The Shard has very little surrounding high-rise making the feeling of being way above the city so much more dramatic. On one side the River Thames snakes its way past the Tower of London and Tower Bridge as well as some of London's less attractive buildings. The 'Walkie-Talkie' building comes to mind. Didn't anybody notice how odd this skyscraper would look BEFORE it got past the planning stages. And then there's the 'Gherkin' building - great name and absolutely descriptive of it's 'love-it or hate-it' architectural style.

Tower Bridge as seen from The Shard

The Tower of London as seen from The Shard

Away from The Thames, Southwark Cathedral stands out as does the convergence of railway lines directly below and to the east - not London's most famous landmark but strangely compelling when viewed from above. Further in the distance you can make out Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, St Paul's Cathedral and The London Eye. I have read that you can see Big Ben. I must have missed it. It is a long way in the distance so don't visit just to see it or the Houses of Parliament. It probably didn't help that Big Ben was almost entirely concealed by scaffolding when we visited in May 2019.

Southwark Cathedral as seen from The Shard

Is the view from The Shard worth the cost?

At £27 (AUD 43 / USD 30) The Shard is not cheap. That is for a standard ticket booked at least a day ahead on the internet. If you want all the bells and whistles like a weather guarantee, fast track entry and exit, a guide booklet, souvenir photos and a glass of champagne you can pay as much as £44 (AUD 80 / USD 55). Ironically this is described as 'Best Value' on The Shard's website.  I love tall buildings and touristy attractions but even so I don't think the experience justifies the cost. We got our tickets for free, courtesy of Turbopass London City Pass. Would I pay full price - no, probably not - especially with hubby and one of our adult sons in tow who expects us to pay for him too.

How to get the best value ticket.  

• Don't pay the walk-up price. 

Like almost every other London attraction, you'll get a better deal by booking ahead on the internet at least one day in advance . The only real downside of this is you must decide on the date and time of your visit beforehand and unless you want to pay more for a 'weather guarantee' you take a chance on London's famously fickle weather. Incidentally the 'weather-guarantee' offers a complimentary return ticket if staff at the ticket desk determine you can't see at least three of The London Eye, 20 Fenchurch Street (the 'Walkie Talkie' building) Tower Bridge, One Canada Square and St Paul's Cathedral.

• Consider buying a package with other attractions.

You can package The Shard entry with London Bridge and The London Tombs, or with a City River Cruise or a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour ticket. 

• Purchase a multi-attraction sightseeing pass. This is by far the best value. Read my review of the Turbopass - London City Pass. 

How to get the same view for free!

Just across The Thames you can get almost the same view for absolutely nothing at The Sky Garden. The 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St (the 'Walkie Talkie' building) offers 360 degree views from about two-thirds the height of the viewing platforms at The Shard.  The only catch is that to get a guaranteed entry you must reserve your spot in advance.  There are some walk-in spots between 10 am and 11.30 am and 2 pm and 4.30pm Monday to Friday but why take the chance.  Tickets are available up to three weeks in advance.

My tip - Reserve your ticket as far in advance as you can. We missed out on the Sky Garden when we tried to get tickets a day in advance. We didn't know about the walk-in tickets.

The Walkie Talkie Building. In case you are wondering, it is the ugly white one.

Will it be crowded?

How long is a piece of string? We visited mid-afternoon on a Tuesday in mid-May. It was a stunning blue-sky day - the sort of day you would expect tourists to look out the curtains and say 'Let's head up the Shard, the view will be great'. Despite all the internet prophets of doom warning about long waits and horrendous queues, we walked straight up to the ticket-desk without a single other tourist in sight. Ticket-desk, security check and ride up in the lift all completed, within the space of five minutes or so and we were standing on Level 68, the first of the three observation floors, ready to be awed.

The partly open air observation deck of The Shard - with only a few other tourists.

When should you visit?

Maybe we got lucky - probably. All those internet warnings can't be completely ignored. If you go in June, July, August, during the school holidays or on a weekend you have to expect a few crowds. And if you go to watch the sunset you should expect more than a few. Watching the sunset seems to be a 'thing' with The Shard. Personally we would rather skip the crowds and not see the sunset but it's really up to you. We're lucky - we have the world's best sunsets in our back yard at home.

I am stating the obvious here but - it is all about the view so don't go when the skies are grey and its pouring with rain.

What is there to do at the top?

Look at the view - obviously! And don't forget to look up. There are three observation floors so make sure you see them all. The 72nd floor is the one partially open to the air. If you want to pad your time out a bit there is a kiosk to buy snacks and drinks. Don't expect competitive prices!

Looking up from the partly open-air observation deck of The Shard

Where is the shard?

The Shard is at 32 London Bridge Street, London, a few minutes walk from London Bridge tube station. It is easy to find. Just look up and head for the tallest building you can see, the one shaped like a glass pyramid. The entrance is down an escalator on Joiner Street.

What are the opening hours?

Generally The Shard opens at 10 am and closes at 10 pm but hours vary so check out the opening times before you visit. Note that last entry is usually an hour before closing time.

COVID-19 note: The Shard re-opens on Saturday 1 August 2020.

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Read my other posts on England

• Turbopass London City Pass: Your passport to London attractions

• How to see Stonehenge for FREE!

• The Best Free Things to do in London

• Avebury Henge: A stone circle to rival Stonehenge

• Is the London Eye worth it?

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