The Shard

The View from the Shard Is Genuinely Better Than the Alternatives. The Tickets Are Expensive.

The Shard is 310 metres tall and currently the tallest building in the UK. Renzo Piano designed it; it opened in 2012. Whether it works in the London skyline is still argued. From the inside looking out, it definitely works.

The observation deck occupies floors 68 and 72. Floor 72 is open-air on three sides: central London in every direction, on a clear day stretching 40 miles toward the North Downs and Essex. The Thames snakes below you; Tower Bridge looks like a toy. Tickets cost GBP 33 for adults booked in advance online, rising to GBP 37 on the day. Weekday mornings are quietest; sunset slots sell out fastest and for obvious reasons.

Restaurants

Aqua Shard on floor 31 does modern British food with floor-to-ceiling glass views as part of a meal – which means you get the altitude without the separate observation deck charge. Two courses at lunch run approximately GBP 45. Hutong on floor 33 serves Northern Chinese cooking including Peking duck (order in advance); dinner approximately GBP 60 to 80 per head. Oblix on floor 32 is a grill restaurant with a bar that does not require a dining reservation – a practical option for drinks with the view.

The Hotel

Shangri-La occupies floors 34 to 52. The SKYPOOL on floor 52 is a 35-degree heated glass-sided infinity pool for hotel guests only. If you are going to spend on a London hotel room, this is a defensible argument.

The Neighbourhood

London Bridge station is 300 metres from the building (Northern and Jubilee lines, plus mainline rail). Borough Market on Stoney Street is one of London’s oldest food markets (Thursday through Saturday from around 10am). Shakespeare’s Globe is 15 minutes west along the Millennium Walkway – standing groundling tickets are GBP 5 in season (April through October) and are the cheapest theatre experience in London by a considerable distance. The Tate Modern is adjacent; the permanent collection is free.