The Shard
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The spectacular skyscraper The Shard in London is not only the tallest building in the United Kingdom, but the fifth tallest in all of Europe - in fact, the tallest in Western Europe. At 1013ft (309 m), the impressive building rises over the streets of the British capital.
Since this attraction is quite popular, it is recommended to book a Ticket without queuing in advance.
By Klaus Kainz
Since this attraction is quite popular, it is recommended to book a Ticket without queuing in advance.
By Klaus KainzSelect a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Tickets
Book your tickets to the View from the Shard and save time on the day of your visit.
The View from the Shard: Entry Ticket
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London Pass
Combine your trip with a visit to several of London’s top attractions when you buy a London Pass.London: All-Inclusive Pass 1-10 Day - GoCity
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More Tickets & Tours
Browse even more products which include a visit to the Shard.London: Top 30 Sights Walking Tour and The Shard Entry
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8 tips for visiting the The Shard
View from the top of our "The View from The Shard" | Photo: Unsplash, Frans Ruiter - CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
1
Choose the right ticketA ticket to The View from the Shard allows you access to the observation decks on the 68th as well as the 69th floor and the open-air terrace on the 72nd floor. London's highest bar, the Moët and Chandon champagne bar is also here. Small savings are possible with a group ticket; in large groups, every tenth ticket is free - though they won’t include drinks. With a Mastercard, you can buy a ticket that includes a thirty-minute guided tour. Features can be added to each ticket for an extra charge, such as bypassing the queue or purchasing souvenir albums and champagne.
The London Pass | Photo: Ulmon - CC BY-SA 2.0
2
Save money with London PassRegular tickets to the viewing platform for The Shard are also included in The London Pass. So if you want to visit more than one of London's major attractions, The London Pass can save you money! Alternatively, there's a combo ticket that offers same-day admission and discounts to the London Bridge Experience.
3
Save on rebooking feesIf you don't book your ticket directly with The View, vouchers are usually issued that are not tied to time slots, and rebooking and cancellation is usually free of charge up to 24 hours before your visit. If you book directly through The View, changes can only be made by phone up to two weeks before the visit, rebooking is always chargeable.
4
Dress properlyThe outdoor area of the observation deck is covered with planks as its floor. While there is no dress code for the attraction, it is advisable to avoid shoes with spiked heels.
Taking a picture of The Shard | Photo: Unsplash, Andrea De Santis - CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
5
Take photos - but respect the restrictionsTake many photos as you want! Only tripods and bulky photo equipment are not allowed. In addition, commercially used photos require special permission.
The last floors of The Shard | Photo: Unsplash, Maxim Hopman - CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
6
Plan restaurant visits properlyThe restaurants also offer great views, but drinks and food cost noticeably more than a ticket to The View from The Shard. Without a reservation, it's difficult to get seats here - better plan ahead and reserve a table. Please note that the admission to the viewing platforms is not included in any restaurant visit, nor is here a direct access to the restaurants via The View.
7
Do you want to get married in The Shard?The Shard offers a special exclusive package for all romantics: starting at £799, the observation deck can be rented for thirty-minute weddings, with a private area decorated with candles and roses, and champagne and fine chocolates provided. Custom music can be selected for this special moment; a dedicated concierge will ensure that everything runs smoothly.
8
Check out the surrounding areaAfter visiting The Shard, take a walk through nearby Borough Market, where there is delicious food to discover, and continue along the South Bank path. There's plenty of London to see here, too.
The Shard in London | Photo: Unsplash, Fred Moon - CC-BY-SA 2.0
What's so special about The Shard?
Europe too can boast impressive skyscrapers. Thanks to new buildings like The Shard, you don't necessarily have to travel to America or Asia to enjoy skylines at lofty heights. Find out here what makes the gigantic London skyscraper, which was voted the best attraction in the UK (2020), so special.Up in the sky
Built in 2012, The Shard is now considered the tallest building in the United Kingdom. Only four other skyscrapers on the entire continent are taller. In the European Union, The Shard would even be the tallest building ever.
Experience London from another angle
The skyscraper is 1013 ft (309 m) high and has 95 floors, but it is only habitable up to the 72nd level. The highest observation deck is at 800 ft (244 m), higher than any natural elevation in and around London. On the 69th as well as the 72nd floor there are viewing platforms from which you can get a bird's eye view of London's sights. The platforms can be reached by one of the 36 lifts, which travel at a speed of 31 mph (21 km/h).
London Bridge bus station near The Shard | Photo: Unsplash, Robin Ulrich - CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Human habitat within the skyscraper
The building was designed by Renzo Piano - the Italian architect also responsible for the Centre Georges Pompidou and the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. The Shard follows the concept of the so-called Vertical City (apartments, offices and entertainment in one building) , its exterior is covered with 11,000 glass panels.
All sights of London at a glance | Photo: Unsplash, Andrea De Santis - CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
See the top-highlights of London
Since The Shard is the highest elevation in London, you can actually see as far as 209974 ft (64 km) on a clear day! You can see almost all of the city's iconic landmarks from the top - only a few are obscured by other buildings. To the north, you can see the Tower of London, the Walkie Talkie, the Monument, and Tower Bridge. To the east are the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, and to the west are the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern, and the Houses of Parliament.
Not enough of the view?
The Shard has two bars, four restaurants, and a lounge that invites guests to relax and socialize - all offering good views and fine dining. In some restaurants, seats near the windows are reserved for diners who have made reservations for a meal (instead of just drinks, for example). On the 31st floor, Aqua Shard serves modern British cuisine. Obelix is located on the 32nd floor, modern dishes can be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. On the 33rd floor, Northern Chinese dishes are served at the Hutong restaurant. The Sky Lounge offers cold snacks and cocktails on the 34th floor, also the Sunday brunch is highly recommended. With British cuisine with Asian influences, the TĪNG on the 35th floor lures guests. On the 52nd floor, the cocktail bar GŎNG is waiting for you! There is also the Bar 31 on the ground floor of The Shard. Please note the appropriate dress codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The View from The Shard barrier-free accessible?
This sight is barrier-free accessible. From the first floor you can reach the second floor with an elevator, where the ticket office and the security control are located. From there, several elevators will take you to the viewing platforms. Read more.
Are there any parking facilities?
The Shard doesn’t provide any parking space, but there are several paid parking garages in the area. Read more.
How much time should I plan for a visit to The Shard?
There is no time limit on the observation decks, so enjoy your time. Most guests spend about an hour total on the 72nd floor observation gallery and outdoor terrace Skydeck. Read more.
Is it allowed to take food inside The Shard?
You are not allowed to take food purchased outside of The Shard onto the observation decks. Read more.
Are there any food options for The Shard?
The View observation decks on the 69th and 72nd floors offer hot as well as cold drinks and snacks. In addition, The Shard has seven other loitering options that tempt with delicious food and tasty drinks. These include Bar 31 (first floor), Aqua Shard Restaurant (31st floor), Hutong Restaurant (33rd floor), Sky Lounge (34th floor), TĪNG Restaurant (35th floor), and cocktail bar GŎNG (52nd floor). Please follow the appropriate dress code, you should also reserve in advance. Read more.
Is it allowed to carry bags and backpacks during the tour?
Large bags and backpacks exceeding 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm) as well as other large items may not be taken onto the observation decks. Please note that The Shard does not have storage facilities for luggage. Although strollers are not allowed, they can be dropped off free of charge near the security checkpoint. Read more.
What happens in the event of adverse weather with my ticket?
Those who are afraid of bad weather can purchase insurance for their ticket for an additional £1.99. Otherwise, there are no refunds. Please note that this sight has a strict no-refund policy. Read more.
What do I have to consider when booking a ticket?
Please note that a time slot must be selected during the ordering process, as the tickets are staggered by time. If you are more than 15 minutes late on the day of your visit, you may be charged a £15 rebooking fee. Therefore, make sure to plan enough time for your arrival! Read more.
Can dogs be taken into The Shard?
No, animals are not allowed inside the building. An exception is made for certified service dogs only like guide and hearing dogs. Read more.
Is it allowed to take photos and videos of the visit?
For personal purposes, videos and photos may be taken during the visit to The View. Taking photos with tripods as well as monostands is not allowed. When publishing on social platforms, the hashtag #ShardView should be used. Read more.
London's highest observation decks
Photo
Building
Total height
Height of observation deck
Open since
London
The ShardLondon | UK
310m#1 in London#1 in UK#46 worldwide
244m#1 in London#1 in UK#52 worldwide
2013
worldwide
Empire State BuildingNew York | USA
443m#3 in USA#17 worldwide
373m#3 in USA#14 worldwide
1931
Eiffel TowerParis | France
324m#1 in France#42 worldwide
276m#1 in France#36 worldwide
1889
Berlin TV TowerBerlin | Germany
368m#1 in Germany#31 worldwide
203m#3 in Germany#64 worldwide
1969
DonauturmVienna | Austria
252m#1 in Austria#66 worldwide
165m#2 in Austria#68 worldwide
1964
The Shard is number 1 in London and number 52 on the worldwide list of the tallest buildings with an observation deck.
General information
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32 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9SG
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Written byKlaus KainzAs a studied historian, Klaus is not only interested in historical sights, but also in their fascinating backgrounds. For TicketLens, he gets to the heart of the most interesting information about attractions and travel destinations.
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