The Shard

The website is helpful. I checked in spring and found out that the top lifts were closed for maintenance for 6-8 weeks. Also it lets you know the busiest times of the day so that you can avoid them. We went on Sunday and went about 3 30 as late pm is quieter. Everything went well, you were guided up via the lifts and got out at different levels. There were no queues and you could stay as long as you liked. The toilets were plenty large enough. All in all we had a great day and everything went smoothly

The 72nd floor of The Shard gives panoramic views of London. You need to book tickets in advance online (see more in access details). And it's airport-style security as you enter. It's very well organised and you are guided onto a series of lifts (you transfer from one lift to another at level 33), taking you to the top surprisingly quickly, but yet hardly noticeably. It is very important you visit the toilets on level 68, whether you need to go or not......! You can wander freely round levels 69 and 72. Both are enclosed spaces with floor-ceiling windows at all sides. There is no time restrictions put on how long you can be there, and certainly you don't feel rushed. There is a bar and ice cream for sale at the viewing levels. There is a souvenir shop before you exit at the ground floor. I went on a sunny day, and could see for miles across the whole of London.

Entirely accessible and without any fuss or bother.