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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

View from the Shard

14 replies

Timeforachange68 · 20/03/2018 16:49

Might be an odd question but would you recommend this for someone who doesn't like heights?

Looking for something out of the ordinary to do in London for my dh's birthday & I'd love to do this but fear he wouldn't be very keen 😁

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Goldangel · 22/03/2018 19:03

We've done the Shard but would recommend the Sky Garden instead and it's free! You have to pre book skygarden.london There's a restaurant there but the cafe is great.

If you are looking for somewhere special to eat or just a cocktail with amazing views in the evening I recommend Sushi Samba or Duck and Waffle that are in the Heron Tower in the City.

Goldangel · 22/03/2018 19:05

Oh in terms of his fear of heights I'm not too sure, but when we were there we saw a lady who was scared of heights but did manage to get on the balcony to look out. There's a lot of glass so if your DH doesn't want to go out onto the balcony he can still get a good view.

PourMeAGlass · 22/03/2018 19:16

Highly recommend the Sky Garden, we try and go every time we go to London. The cafe is great and the views are spectacular, but it doesn't feel like you're on top of a skyscraper and best of all it's free.

If DH isn't particularly happy when he gets up there, you can plonk him down with a beer, while you take in the view for 10 minutes. As it's free, you won't have lost out and he might even like it Smile

PlausibleSuit · 22/03/2018 19:25

I've done both several times (live in London) and Sky Garden is much better. The cafe is free, but there's a nice restaurant (Fenchurch) up there too, although it's not cheap and you do have to book.

The Shard experience always feels like you're being herded around like cattle and it's really expensive.

I have to disagree on Duck and Waffle though. Massively overrated, weird food. IMO.

PlausibleSuit · 22/03/2018 19:26

When i say the cafe is free, I mean it's free to get up there. You still have to pay for your latte. ☺

sportyfool · 22/03/2018 19:26

I'm not overly bothered by heights but it scared me a bit .. it's wobbly at the top and my dh has a great time making me go near the edge .

Wolfcub · 22/03/2018 19:27

Another vote for nice free skygarden

MsHomeSlice · 22/03/2018 19:33

dh is dreadful with heights, but we have been to the Shard restaurant and the Sky garden without event! Also the restaurant in fancy similar but not post office tower effort in Vienna, but again, not out onto the outside walkway gallery

He won't come out on the balcony at the SKy Garden but is usually okay if enclosed, he holds a table with a beer usually.

He did have a terrible time walking around the viewing gallery at CentrePoint and I had to bundle him (with his eyes shut) back down the first escape corridor in the Whispering Gallery at ST Pauls. Also he got a bit overcome at The Monument ...as soon as he saw the doorway at the top he had to sit down on the stairs and shuffle back down!

I really want to walk over the O2 Dome, but that's never going to happen with him! Hmm

JennyWreny · 22/03/2018 19:37

My DH doesn't like heights but a few weeks ago we went to the Sky Garden and Duck and Waffle and he was fine with both (went on the balcony of the Sky Garden but didn't go right up to the glass).

Sky Garden - the bookings are open on a Monday morning around 9am/10am - usually for a week or two ahead. As PP have mentioned it's free to go up and have a look around. If you want to book a table I think you can book up to 30 days ahead - there are two restaurants, Darwin or Fenchurch (Fenchurch is the more expensive one).

Duck and Waffle - We loved it (more than the Darwin at Sky Garden), but I can see it's not to everyone's taste as the food is a bit unusual. If you decided to go here beware of the lift as it's a glass one and goes really fast - my DH stood near the door and didn't look out! Also, bookings open 2 months in advance and they get booked up quickly.

PattiStanger · 22/03/2018 19:39

Another vote for the Sky Garden, you can stay inside and still enjoy the experience.

I'd say the Shard would be worse for someone who doesn't like heights as there's less space at the top

Original poster
Timeforachange68 · 22/03/2018 23:19

Thanks everyone for your replies - will definitely check out the skygarden - I hadn't heard of that before

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Original poster
Timeforachange68 · 08/05/2018 23:08

Thanks Mumsnet for the Sky Garden recommendation-we visited yesterday and I even got my dh out on the balcony!

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PourMeAGlass · 08/05/2018 23:35

What a fabulous day to visit!

We love it there and it's surprisingly not very well known, glad you and DH enjoyed it Smile

Original poster
Timeforachange68 · 09/05/2018 12:07

Thank you it certainly was the view was amazing but we were seriously flagging from the heat by the time we caught the train home!

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