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view from the shard
Photograph: Jacob Riglin
Photograph: Jacob Riglin

Five things you might not know about The View from the Shard

The viewing platform at the top of Western Europe’s tallest building is a spectacular place to take in the whole of London and far beyond. Read on to discover more of its secrets

Written by Time Out editors
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Since it opened in 2013, The View from the Shard has become one of London’s most popular visitor attractions. Sitting at the top of a tower that’s also home to offices, shops, a hotel and several restaurants, the viewing area is set across two floors so there’s plenty of space to roam and take your time looking out at the landscape. There are interactive ‘Tell:scopes’ which are free to use, so you can find out what you’re looking at, and the floor to ceiling windows go all the way round the building, so you can see out from every side.

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Five interesting facts about The View from the Shard

1. 

It’s not just for sightseeing, there are regular silent discos (hosted in association with Time Out London, no less) on Saturday nights, too. Grab a drink, pop on your headphones and choose one of three different music channels while three DJs compete for your attention on the dance floor.

2. 

Whatever time of day, whatever the weather, you can enjoy the view. Special screens around floor 69's indoor viewing gallery allow you to see how the same view would look by day or night, on a clear day.
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3. 

You can put your head in the clouds. The very top level (the Skydeck) is open air, so you can stand far above anything else across London and, when the clouds are low, look down on them.

4. 

Private guided tours are available. Although The View from the Shard is popular, it’s never overcrowded. Still, if you fancy something more exclusive, you can book a 45-minute private tour for two to six people.
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5. 

The landscape is always changing, what with it being 244 metres up. Even if you’ve visited before, the chances are there’s something new to see at The View from the Shard. The attraction regularly commissions artists to create different experiences, including a fully-planted summer garden in warmer months. Other past collaborators have included Bompas & Parr, who made a frosty wonderland 69 floors up, including a walk-in sensory pod where you could breathe in the scents of Christmas.
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