I’ve had many trips to London over the years, and now that both my children live and work down there, I have more reasons than ever to go. Easter saw me take a short trip there over the weekend, and each time I go I try to do something I’ve not done before. This trip was no exception, and it included a trip up the Shard on Good Friday evening for cocktails.

The Shard is quite an exceptional building that opened 0n 1 February 2013 and was developed by Irvine Sellar, who is also the joint owner. He wanted to build a vertical city with amazing views that would complement the vibrant city of London. The Shard has a fantastic viewing platform with a viewing deck on floor 69 and an open-air deck on floor 72. The Shard also houses a hotel, apartments, offices, and a restaurant. There is a high-speed lift that whizzes you up to the top in 60 seconds! Not great on the ears, of course.

A trip up to the top of the Shard will cost you £28 per person with no drinks or food included. However, if you opt for a visit to Oblix on the 32nd floor, you can sample a cocktail from around £14 and still enjoy great views across London in a relaxed atmosphere. So that was what I did with the family, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. So, if you take a trip to London, give it a whirl, and take lots of photos. It is advisable to book a table, though, as it can get quite busy, especially at peak times, and you don’t want to be disappointed!