What to see in The View from The Shard?
The Shard - also known as the Shard of Glass, 32 London Bridge or The London Bridge Tower - is the tallest skyscraper in the UK and one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe.
With its 310 meters high and its 87 floors (72 usable), it houses:
- offices: from the 3rd to the 28th floor
- restaurants: from the 31st to the 33rd floor
- a 5 star luxury hotel (Shangri-La Hotel): from the 34th to the 52nd floor
- apartments: from the 53rd to the 65th floor
- a belvedere (The View from The Shard): from the 68th to the 72nd floor
- his needle: from the 73rd to the 87th floor
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History of The Shard Tower
Designed by architect Renzo Piano, The Shard Tower was inaugurated on July 5, 2012, at the former location of the Southwark Towers, demolished 6 years earlier (2006).
It is a spectacular triangle of crystal and steel.
First known as The London Bridge Tower, the tower was named The Shard following criticism from English Heritage * who said the building would be like "a shard of glass through the heart of historic London "(a shard of glass piercing the heart of old London).
The Shard is owned by a Qatari investment fund and cost 1.8 billion euros. It houses 10 private apartments with selling prices between 30 and 50 million pounds.
The Shard opened to the public on February 1, 2013, with two floors reserved for paid tours.
* Independent public body responsible for the management of England's historic heritage.
Visit The View from The Shard
Point of view
The Shard Tower Lookout, known as The View from The Shard, is a viewing terrace located on the operable top floor (72nd floor) of The Shard Tower and offering one of the most beautiful views of the British capital.
The viewpoint height is almost twice that of the Ferris wheel at London Eye.
A fast elevator (6 meters per second) provides access to the panoramic terrace - open to the sky but protected from the wind and the cold by the glass facade of the tower.
With its 360 degree view, you can admire the most beautiful sites in London up to 65 km around: The London Eye, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, the Sky Garden, The Gherkin, the Saint Paul's Cathedral, the towers of Canary Wharf, the Thames, etc.
The night view is breathtaking!
Small anecdote, the toilets on the 69th floor are the tallest toilets in London - with stunning views of the city!
The duration of the visit is not limited.
Restaurants, bars and souvenir shops
The Shard tower has 6 bars and restaurants:
- Aqua Shard (31st floor): contemporary British cuisine, seasonal ingredients and carefully crafted cocktails.
- Oblix (32nd floor): sophisticated and contemporary cuisine, British and European products, seasonal dishes, creative culinary cocktails, live music and DJs.
- Hutong (33rd floor): North Chinese cuisine and cocktails inspired by ingredients used in traditional Chinese medicine.
- Bar 31 (34th floor): wide range of local beers and spirits, affordable wines and champagnes. The bar has an outdoor terrace (Aperol Terrazza) where you can sip a Spritz and taste pizettes and cicchetti.
- Ting (35th floor): Modern British cuisine and a selection of typical Shangri-La Asian dishes. The restaurant is also an afternoon tea room.
- Gong (52nd floor): creative cocktails. The bar is divided into intimate rooms, cocktail bar, champagne bar and swimming pool.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in bars and restaurants offer 360-degree views of London.
The View from The Shard also has a bar (where you can have a glass of champagne or a coffee and taste some pastries) and a souvenir shop: The Sky Boutique (at 68th floor).
Tickets for The View from The Shard
Take advantage of the best price by purchasing your tickets from one of our partners:
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The ticket price includes access to The View from The Shard (72nd floor) - as well as the indoor observation decks (68th and 69th floors).
You can also enjoy the view by dining at one of the restaurants at The Shard Tower or staying at the Shangri-La at The Shard London.
If the weather is bad on the day of your visit, you can return for free on another day!
The View from The Shard is included in the London Pass and the London Explorer Pass.
The View from The Shard opening hours
The View from The Shard is open all year round:
- Thursday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last admission 8:30 p.m.)
- Sunday to Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last admission 5.30 p.m.)
The last admissions take place 1h30 before closing.
Like many monuments, museums and attractions, The View from The Shard is closed on December 25.
Go to The View from The Shard
The Shard is located in the borough of Southwark, on the south bank of the Thames, facing the City of London.
Address: 32 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG, London
To get there, 2 options:
- Tube: Northern and Jubilee lines - London Bridge stop
- Bus: lines 43, 48, 141, 149 and 521.
Near The View from The Shard
Take advantage of your visit to The View from The Shard to visit:
- Borough Market
- Southwark Cathedral
- Clink Prison Museum
- HMS Belfast
- London City Hall
- London Bridge
- The Monument to the Great Fire of London
- Shakespeare's Globe Theater
- The Old Operating Theater
- The Tower of London