Hola chicos, we spent a sunny Saturday afternoon venturing into Central London on the Tube with the girls to visit The Shard. It was a great day out for all of us and the views of London from the top floors were amazing.
We were so excited about going to The Shard, you could not imagine! Living in London and being just 20 minutes away it was something that we have really meant to do for a while now.
We bought the tickets online the day before to hopefully avoid queues and get in quicker. We traveled on the tube via the Jubilee Line to London Bridge. Bella was in a fun mood, deciding to model for us using one of the poles on the tube, she was so cute actually, LOL! When we arrived to London Bridge, the Shard was clearly signposted so it was very easy to find.
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Once there you have the option to take the stairs or a lift which will take you to the main floor where the actual ticket purchase/check area is. They also have a gift shop next to it, although everything seemed quite expensive. In order to get to the top of the building you have to take 2 lifts, with the first one going up about half-way stopping around floor 33 I think and the second one went up to floor 68. It felt quite high, although the lifts were actually quite quick and it didn’t take long to reach the top! It is about 800 ft (244 m) above the city. Once there you have 2 Levels that you can walk around. The first level is more about the view of London from The Shard. The views are amazing and you can see up to 49 miles into the horizon on a clear day – we were so impressed! Wow London is such a pretty city! 😃 We were so lucky because we had a fairly sunny day so of course everything looked even better! The Thames river was also shining, so beautiful!
After walking around this level with our two crazy little girls (a 5 year old and a 1 year old) we were desperate to have some refreshments so we decided to go to the next floor (Level 72). OMG, this level is so pretty! It has an open-air sky deck so you can breathe the fresh air and feel the breeze which was so nice. We found out that they have The Parlour, a ‘decadent’ ice cream experience provided by Fortnum & Mason (F & N), which if you are not familiar with is one of the most traditional upmarket department stores situated in Central London. They offered flavours such as Summer Cup, Very Vanilla, Strawberry Blush, Rose & Violet, Chocolossus, Magnificent Melon Sorbet, Florentine Fancy Sorbet, Gin & Tonic Sorbet and a Frozen Champagne Ice Popsicle. We went for a scoop of classic Very Vanilla along with a scoop of the Chocolossus flavour. These tasted amazingly good of course and we really enjoyed them. It was also a good way to have the girls calmed and relaxed for a peaceful few minutes (much appreciated when you have a 1 year old mastering her walking and wanting to run away from you every minute!). I regret so much not taking Sienna’s harness so at least she would’ve been more free to walk but at the same time restricted by us. Silly me!! 😁
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Anyway, coming back to the description of level 72 (The highest you are able to reach), the floor was filled with artificial grass among seasonal florals. It really transports you to a British Summer garden – you couldn’t imagine that you were that high up. I also saw that there were chairs and tables in each corner which is something else organised by F&M where you can book for a Sky-High tea experience. They are offering guests a chance to enjoy a delicious picnic ‘Hamperling’ filled with a classic afternoon tea selection (classic finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, a miniature jar of raspberry jam, and their signature Royal Blend tea. To truly celebrate, champagne can also be added when booking). So glamorous!!! You have to book this in advance. Imagine booking this for the night with that fantastic view of London! Wow, so magical and romantic right? It could be even better if you include a proposal in the plan!! 😉
We stayed there for about 2 hours since the moment we arrived to the building, and the time seemed to pass pretty quick. We couldn’t stay longer really because Sienna was starting to get quite restless – she was completely nuts that day! Typical right? We returned in the lift to the lower floor where we were greeted again and asked if we wanted to queue for our photos (they took a couple of photos of us all together just before we went in the lift to the top). The packages were quite expensive although we liked the shot of us together as a family so we chose the basic option which was a photo printed with a simple card frame.
Just when we were ready to leave, Sienna fell asleep so we decided to go for a walk outside. The view of The Shard from outside looking up is also amazing. It was still sunny for moments and wasn’t cold at all. We had a nice time until Sienna woke up which is when we decided that it was the perfect time to go back home so we went back to the station. The journey back on the tube was actually pretty quick and we were back home by 6 o’clock.
You can also watch our video of our visit to The Shard below:
Well guys, this was our day out to The Shard. We had a fantastic day and we enjoyed it a lot. The views are amazing and if you are in London and you don’t know what to do I recommend you to pay it a visit. You will not regret it.
Have you been to The Shard before? Did you like it? What are your thoughts about the views? And if not, would you like to go, are you planning to go? Is it something that interests you?
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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Such a lovely read – we went here on Valrentines Day and loved it – even though I’m scare of heights! Can’t wait to have my little one and take it on these adventures! xx #KCACOLS
Oh that would be lovely!! You will be able to do that in another year maybe! But it will be magical I’m sure! Thanks for commenting! 🙂 xx
Sadly not hey, but I really would love to one day. Oh word the views are stunning! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience of the Shard. xx #KCACOLS
Looks fantastic! I actually work right next to The Shard but so far I’ve never gotten around to going up – will have to do this soon. Thanks for sharing #kcacols
My Aunt took my young cousin there in the summer and she really loved it. They commented how it was really expensive for drinks, but the views were amazing. Great photos and looks like a lovely family day out.
Amanda #KCACOL
What an awesome view!I haven’t been to London in years we only tend to go for Xmas shopping type trips.It does look like really memorable day though,some gorgeous photos lovely x #kcacols
That looks amazing. I haven’t taken our girls down to London yet as it is such a long journey for us from Scotland but this looks like amust see.
#KCACOLS
Sounds like an awesome place! Love the photos. What a lovely family day out!
#KCACOLS
We’ve been for breakfast at the Aqua Shard restaurant so we haven’t been right to the top but it was still so stunning x #KCACOLS
London is definitely on my travel list and I have just added the Shard to the list of places to see. thank you for this and it was great finding your blog through the linky #KCACOLS
What a fab family day out! I have not been in The Shard yet, it looks very interesting but my husband is scared with height and glass lifts so I’m not sure if he will be interested to visit the place. Your pictures looks lovely though! #KCACOLS.
Wow I never knew there was so much to do and see at The Shard! I love love love the idea of the High Tea – that sounds like just my cup of tea! (excuse the pun!) So cool that they had grass and chairs on that level too to add to the experience. I’ve been to the Gherkin before but never to The Shard – but next time we visit London it will definitely be on my list of things to do. You are so lucky to live so close to London, it’s such an ace city #KCACOLS xxx
I’ve never been but the views look amazing! Sounds like a lovely day. #KCACOLS
Looks great Franca – it’s so easy to just let things pass you but when they are local to you, we lived in London for a year but never visited the shard! Similar now we are in Ilkley there are so many fab things to do on our doorstep – really must make the time! #KCACOLS
I visited London last year but never went to the shard. It looks like a fab experience so I must pop it on my list for next time. The Parlour sounds fabulous too. Frozen champagne ice popsicle. Wow! #KCACOLS
It looks brilliant, and sounds like you spent longer there than you would at the London eye or similar. It is such an impressive building, I think next time we’re in London we might do this.. #kcacols
I had;t ever really thought about going up the Shard before reading this. What great views and I love the idea of having tea at the top. I’ve recently seen someone else’s post about the London Eye, which I have done twice, but I think I’d definitely go to the Shard over the Eye next time we have the opportunity #KCACOLS
Looks like you had a fab day! I would love to go, but without children if I’m honest! Especially my three! A nice fancy drink looking over the best city in the world (with my lovely hubby!) 🙂 #KCACOLS xx
You guys always look like you know how to have fun.
I have to say, I’ve not been to the Shard, and I think it was still under construction the last time we were in London.
Did I see right? Did you seriously have a whole tube carriage to yourself’s?
Thanks for hosting #kCACOLS
I have never been to The Shard although i have been meaning to visit for sometime. Looks like you all had a great family day in London. Sienna looks well cute asleep on her Daddy’s shoulders 🙂 #KCACOLS
The views looks amazing! My husband went for his Christmas lunch there last year but I missed out! I keep telling him I want to go!! #KCACOLS
Hi Franca, I pass the Shard every day on my way to work, but I still have not been up there yet! Your pictures and description of your experience look amazing. It looks like you had a lovely day with the girls, a perfect summer/autumn day out :-). I wasnt aware of the F&M afternoon tea experience, and as huge afternoon tea fan this is really exciting! Its definitely on my London bucket list. Great review! Emily #KCACOLS