A Trip Up The Shard, London
The views from the top are amazing!
The Shard (in London) is the tallest building in Europe and offers superb views from its viewing platform nearly 1000 feet up. Getting up there is an adventure all it itself, but well worth it!
You need to pre-book a ticket, which you can do very easily online (you can turn up on the day and may get lucky if they are not overbooked, but you will pay extra).
You can choose the time you wish to visit and must turn up within half an hour of that time.
There are some restrictions on what you can bring with you — large pieces of luggage or equipment, for example, and open containers of food or drink, are not permitted.
Security is an important consideration, and you will go through a similar scanning procedure to that found at airports, though without any physical ‘pat down’. You are then photographed, although this has more to do with trying to sell you an expensive photograph when you leave than with any security consideration.
The lift takes you up 68 floors in two stages, the first taking you to floor 38 and the second the rest of the way to the top. Each lift takes less than half a minute, so if you are subject to ear-popping you will experience some definite Rice Krispies moments!
