London’s New View

With much fanfare (and a rather 1980s laser show), The Shard made its debut not so long ago (1st February 2013 to be exact). It has changed the skyline of the city, standing as it does, at London Bridge by the Thames not far from The City (where most of its rivals stand peering up at this new Qatari invader). Designed by the Italian architect, Renzo Piano, best known for the Pompidou in Paris, it is the tallest building in Western Europe, towering triumphantly at 95 stories. It is an eye-catching, sun-glinting edifice, looking, as the name suggests like a mammoth shard of glass.

Best in show is The View from The Shard, located from floors 68 to 72, from which you can enjoy immense vistas. The first few floors of The View are enclosed, but still impressive–the Thames looks rather small, snaking through the grey city at such a distance. However, the higher floors are open to the elements, and once you head up it feels satisfying to be out in the open air, and to hear the wind howling and have a pretty good sense of the sheer height you’re at. Note: choose a dry day if you can.

There is much more in store for The Shard. The Shangri-La Hotel Group is opening a hotel here, on floors 34-52. Joining the hotel, will be restaurants, residential apartments, as well as office space. The Shard is now a definitive part of the architecture of the city now, like it or loathe it, (and I quite like it) and completely changes the look of the London Bridge area, which will no doubt benefit from the visitors making their way up to the apex. My tip is to head up The Shard to take your snaps and see all of London laid out for you in all its splendour (the grime does not show so far up) then head to the close by Bermondsey Street, where you can choose from a great array of gastro-pubs and ales to contemplate the day.

Anton is currently researching base jumping from tall buildings, feel free to send him tips!