The View From The Shard

I was reading last week that 'experiences' make people happier than material goods as we tend to remember an experience longer into the future, usually with fond memories, whereas goods tend to have a shelf life and once it is gone, it is gone. Funnily enough for the last few years I have tended to gift experiences and been given them in return. I do enjoy them and so was rather delighted that at Christmas my brother presented the whole family with tickets to visit The Shard's Viewing Platform. Something to look forward to in the New Year.

For those who haven't heard of the Shard, it is an iconic, landmark building on the London skyline, designed by Master Architect Renzo Piano. At a height of 1,016ft (310m) it is the tallest building in Western Europe.

The View is situated at the top of The Shard, on floors 68, 69 and 72, and almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in London.

Yesterday our day finally arrived to travel up The Shard to The View and all I can say is wow!

We took two high-speed ‘kaleidoscopic’ lifts, reaching Level 68 in no time at all. However, we climbed the stairs up to level 72 and out onto the elements. Wind, rain and bitter cold greeted us but were all soon forgotten as we took in the magnitude of the views afforded us. London in all its glory. A 360 degree view stretching over 40 miles.

Look up

Tower Bridge behind me

The Gherkin

The London Eye 

We ended our day by heading towards Hays Galleria London Bridge, Tooley St with a meal at Cote Brasserie. 

A brilliant day spent with family, the memories of which we will cherish for ever.