Which has the best skyscraper experience in London?
- Martyn Hayes
- May 12, 2019
- 3 min read
Review - The Shard vs Sky Garden
The Shard
Entry fee: £22.95
Nearest station: London Bridge
Website: View From The Shard
The Sky Garden
Entry fee: Free
Nearest station: Monument
Websites: The Sky Garden
Who needs local pubs when you can enjoy a drink in the freakin' clouds!? It seems us Londoners are spoiled for choice with rooftop venues.
Two landmarks come to mind when thinking of high rise views of the city. The Shard is famed for being the tallest building in Europe. And across the river, the 20 Fenchurch Street attracts people to it's magnificent spot of nature in the heavens. But which is best?
From the ground, I think London Bridge's tower easily wins in the battle of icons. But the real magic happens from high up in the air.
How they compare
Views
Cityscapes from both angles are amazing! Located in the heart of the city, each skyscraper offers you a glimpse of just about every major landmark. Heck, you may not want to sight-see on foot after seeing all attractions from either building!
The Walkie Talkie is up close and personal with other skyscrapers in the square mile. Seeing them from this distance is in itself a novelty. A cool breeze on the balcony on a hot day is also something to marvel.
On the south side of the Thames, the perspective is from much higher up. So it wins this round by default. It has a 360 view, meaning you can see East to West in a matter of seconds. Digital telescopes are on hand to inform guests of attractions throughout London.
Winner - The Shard
Interior
The Sky Garden is what it says on the tin, it's a garden in the sky. The space is much larger than its rival, so naturally you'll have more room to explore. Split on multiple levels, the bar is filled with exotic plants.
You needn't look out of the windows to enjoy the scenery. The beautifully organised greenery is stunning in itself. This coupled with the vast amount of light has a calming effect on visitors.
A chilled vibe can further be enjoyed on the other side of the water. The top floor is exposed to the elements and can be accessed via elevator. Just feeling a gust on this level is enough to remind you of how far from the ground you are.
Winner - Sky Garden
General experience
A clear advantage at Fenchurch Street is that there are more seats. You'll have a better chance of relaxing and enjoying the scenery from a comfier position. Bars can be found on multiple parts of the site. A good option for those who are feeling romantic would be to book a table at the Sky Pod restaurant.
Drinks are served at the top of the Shard. A fancy diner (Aqua Shard) can also be found a few floors down and is well worth a visit.
Each venue has been known to host events such as silent discos, Where's Wally search and yoga at sunrise.
Winner - The Sky Garden
Another fancy part of The Shard a few floors down from the top
Overall
It would be easy to say The Sky Garden because of the 2-1 score above. But there's something to be said about the spectacular view from The Shard. Plus, there's always bragging rights of reaching the very summit of the capital.
Either place makes for a memorable day out. As you live in London, why not do both!?
Overall Winner - You decide!
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