When you think of London, you think of the Shard. The Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and was completed in 2012, becoming the tallest building in the Europe at the time, with 72 stories and a staggering height of 1,016 feet. Its unique design, with its sharply angled facades and open top, sets it apart from other skyscrapers and makes it a distinctive feature of the London skyline.
The iconic building, located in London Bridge, not only serves as a hub for businesses and residences, but also as a popular tourist destination, offering breathtaking views of the city from its observation deck, The View from The Shard. The View from The Shard is the viewing gallery at the top of the Shard, located at level 68 and 69, and the open-air platform on level 72 at 800 feet, almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in the capital of the U.K.
A visit to London’s highest observation deck begins with an exciting elevator ride, in just 60 seconds guests reach the 68th floor (that’s seven meters per second!) where, in true London fashion, a glass of Champagne awaits. The decks offer spectacular 360 degree views of London and its iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, among others. On a clear day, it is possible to see up to 40 miles away, and in the event of bad weather (one of the other things London is famous for) guests will be able to come back for free. Another fantastic aspect of visiting is that there are no time restrictions on the tickets, so guests can take in the view as long as they wish until closing time. The View from the Shard is also a popular location for events and even has a private view package where guests can visit the location alone for 60 minutes with up to 10 people.
In the 10 years since its opening on 1 February 2013, when the attraction was festively launched by then Mayor Boris Johnson, The View from The Shard has become a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike. In its first year of opening more than 900,000 people visited and The View from The Shard has since regularly been voted as one of London’s greatest tourist attractions.
To mark the 10th anniversary The View from The Shard has created a special social media giveaway where 10 participants can win free tickets (one for every year they have been opened). Whether you’re a local resident, a tourist, or just passing through, The View from The Shard is a must-visit destination. Get your tickets here and, if you are feeling lucky, take part in the social media giveaway here!
Sources
- https://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/shard-rakes-in-ps5million-from-visitors-to-viewing-platform-in-first-year-9206970.html
- https://www.the-shard.com/
- https://www.visitlondon.com/de/sehen-und-erleben/ort/23886030-view-from-the-shard