The Shard, standing at 310m tall and with 360 degree views allowing you to see 40 miles across London, was the city’s latest attempt to confirm itself as one of the greatest cities in the world. So, naturally as a Londoner, I was sceptical. The whole project seemed to be ailed by problems. First up was the stray fox, Rocco, who somehow managed to make the top floors of the building home and then none of the office space was being rented. Oh, and then they finished it and I decided it certainly didn’t look finished. I was smug as only a Londoner can be. In your face Boris.
And then I visited it.
I loved it from start to finish. After the security checks, just your usual airport stuff, you ascend to the top floor in two lifts; the first taking you to floor 33, where the restaurants and bars are situated, and the next to floor 68. You climb up to floor 69 and as you step out, London sprawls before you. The sun dabbles across the landscape, revealing sections of itself and concealing others. It genuinely is breathtaking. Landmarks fight for attention: St Pauls, Canary Wharf, the Millennium Dome, the river. The list goes on. I strolled round, dazed by London’s beauty. I saw train lines snaking through buildings, the red topped buses fighting for road space. But from up here, everything was peaceful and calm. The Shard transports you away from London and people are just tiny pin prick on the vast landscape.
The Shard have provided a number of interactive telescopes which you can direct across the skyline and the attached screens will provide you with information about important and interesting building and landmarks. They also show you what the view looks like at sunrise, during the day and at night so you won’t feel like you’ve missed out.
But the obvious highlight in floor 72, the highest accessible point of The Shard. The floor doesn’t have a roof so is open to the elements. Luckily for me I went on a bright morning and stood bathed in sunlight overlooking London. I could see beyond London too. This huge city perhaps isn’t as big as everyone thinks. From here, the shards of glass protruding into the sky feel completely natural – the architect Renzo Piano really did know what he was doing – reaching skyward to observe the beauty of this man made landscape.
After wandering round and taking in every view at least four or five times, I descended. I had a smile on my face and couldn’t help but feel completely uplifted. Even as I stepped into the busy streets and dove into Borough Market, I grinned, London really is one of the best cities in the world.
View From The Shard
Tickets start from £24.95 in advance.
