The View from the Shard
From the summit of Western Europe's tallest tower, stand with your head in the clouds and take in views of London. Renzo Piano, an Italian architect, altered London's skyline in 2012 with a peculiar but eye-catching building. The enormous pyramid known as The Shard, which is currently the highest building in the nation, was actually inspired by the London of the past despite its glassy, futuristic appearance. Piano drew inspiration from Canaletto's eighteenth-century spires in paintings of Venetian landscapes.
The Shard, which rises 244 meters above the earth, was constructed with offices, residences, hotels, bars, restaurants, and, of course, the attractive observation platform in mind. Floors 69–72, the highest point to which members of the public are permitted access, offer breathtaking 360° views of the city. Additionally, there are other activities like Sky-High Yoga and movie screenings up there, as well as a weekly silent disco on Saturday nights.
The View at The Shard is open every day, so you don't need to make elaborate plans in order to see it. Okay, so it's closed on Christmas Day, but other than that, it's open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. And the fun doesn't have to start until you reach the tip, since . As you soar to floor 69, keep your eyes up because ceiling screens show fascinating facts and captivating graphics. With walls of windows providing a stunning backdrop, you can continue exploring three more stories from this point on foot (don't worry, there is another lift if you can't handle the stairs). On a clear day, sights can be seen as far as 40 miles away, or Southend-on-Sea.
After circumnavigating levels 68 and 69, ascend to the open-air skydeck on the 72nd floor. Use the specifically created touchscreen telescopes to see the vistas in greater detail. You can choose from ten different languages to learn more about the views, and you may choose to experience the same view during the day, night, sunrise, and sunset.
Google Rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: Joiner StLondonSE1 9QU
Phone: 0844 499 7111
Price: £25.95, £20.95 student, £29.95 disabled (one carer free), £19.95 under-16s, £74.95 family. Day & Night £35.95, champagne visit £33.95
Opening hours: Apr 1–Oct 24 daily 10am–10pm (last entry 9.30pm). Oct 25–Mar 31 Mon–Wed, Sun 10am–7pm (last entry 6pm); Thu–Sat 10am–10pm (last entry 9pm)
Website: www.theviewfromtheshard.com/en
