The entire The View From The Shard journey from street-level to the very top is all accessible, over 800ft above central London, and is done in a series of lifts.

The first lift will take you from street-level up to the booking office on Level 1 of The Shard. This bypasses the flight of 15 steps used to reach the main booking hall. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet at the booking office on Level 1 of The Shard on Level 1 (as well as one at the top – well, on Level 68).

A second lift, which is also fully wheelchair accessible, travels up to Floor 33 (in just 30 seconds), where you transfer to yet another fully wheelchair accessible lift which continues to Floor 68.

The View From The Shard‘s famous “loo with a view” is found here too (there is also a wheelchair accessible toilet here).

Yet another lift, but one for use by wheelchair users only (and their companions too of course), takes you up to the main indoor viewing platform on Floor 69.

The same small lift also takes wheelchair users only (and companions) up to the outdoor Skydeck viewing area on Floor 72.

One common gripe is that there is insufficient seating on the viewing platforms. This is not an issue for those of us who take our chairs with us everywhere anyway. But it might be an issue for wheelchair pushers (although foldable chairs are available on request should you require a seat during your visit – just ask one of the staff “Guest Ambassadors”).

Entrace to The View From The Shard is free for carers (documentary proof of your disability is required though). The free carers ticket can be obtained in the Booking Hall (and does not have to be booked in advance).

The wheelchair user’s ticket has to be booked in advance though – so that your timed slot is guaranteed).

Arrival By Car

There are NO parking facilities at all at the Shard in London. And there’s no official drop-off point either.

However, there are 12 accessible parking bays in the nearby NCP London Bridge Car Park (it is not possible to pre-book an accessible bay at any NCP car park – the accessible bays are available on a “first-come-first-served” basis).

Arrival By Public Transport

The Shard building almost sits on top of London Bridge station. A hub for train, underground & bus travel. There’s even a nearby pier which is served by the public Thames Clippers boats (“London Bridge City” pier). Which makes the Shard one of London’s most connected public transport destinations.

Train:

London Bridge station is served by South Eastern, Southern and Thameslink mainline trains.

To reach the Shard from London Bridge station, follow the signs to “Exit 3” – the Joiner Street exit. There, turn left, and the entrance to The View From The Shard is right there.

And although there are 15 steps up to the Booking Level (Level 1) of The View From The Shard, there is lift to the side of the steps. This small lift is connected to the Booking Office by voice/video link – simply press the buzzer for access.

Tube (Underground):

This is the easiest/quickest way to reach The View From The Shard entrance (the exit from London Bridge tube station brings you almost directly to The View From The Shard entrance).

London Bridge tube station is served by Underground trains on the Jubilee Line and the Northern Line (City Branch). Both Lines are accessible here.

Bus:

The bus stop/station at London Bridge is located just outside London Bridge tube station entrance. A number of different buses stop at London Bridge. And all buses in central London are wheelchair accessible – and are equipped with a retractable ramp (automatically controlled by the bus driver). Bus travel is also free for wheelchair users (your companion has to pay the correct fare though). I recommend that you use the official TfL Journey Planner to find the best route for yourself.Taxi:

By far the easiest way to arrive at The View From The Shard in a wheelchair, and by using public transport, is in one of London’s famous black cabs (taxis). It’s also the most expensive way to reach The View From The Shard. All London taxis are equipped with a retractable ramp.

Taxis can drop off on St Thomas’ Street (a few yards from The View from The Shard entrance).

Boat:

Yes, The View From The Shard can be accessed from the River Thames too.

“London Bridge City” pier, served by the public Thames Clippers boats, is located beside London Bridge (after leaving the boat, you will have to roll around to the main entrance of The View From The Shard on Joiner Street though – but it’s just a few minutes: turn left as you leave the boat, and then right into Hay’s Lane).

My recommendation though:

Get there on foot/by wheelchair!

The riverside footpath (part of the Thames Walk as it passes through central London) is, without question, THE best walking route in central London. And because it is level , it is very wheelchair accessible (although there are a couple of detours which make it completely step-free).

This walk (the London Thames DIY Walking Tour) includes completely wheelchair accessible visits to: Westminster Abbey > the Houses of Parliament (and Big Ben) > the London Eye > the Southbank Centre > Tate Modern > a wee sidetrip across the Millennium Bridge to St.Paul’s Cathedral and back > Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre > The View From The Shard > HMS Belfast > Tower Bridge > and finally the Tower of London.

Entrance – Access

Although there are 15 steps up to the Booking Level (Level 1) of The View From The Shard, there is a lift to the side of the steps. This small lift is connected to the Booking Office by voice/video link – simply press the buzzer for access.

Building Accessibility

The top of The View From The Shard is reached by two separate lifts. The first lift, which is also fully wheelchair accessible, travels up to Floor 33 (in just 30 seconds), where you transfer to yet another fully wheelchair accessible lift which continues to Floor 68.

The main viewing platform is on the next level though (Floor 69), and is usually reached by a flight of steps. However, another (but smaller lift – for use by wheelchair users only this time – and their companions too of course), takes you up to the main indoor viewing platform on Floor 69.

The same small lift also takes wheelchair users only (and their companions) up to the outdoor Skydeck viewing area on Floor 72.

Wheelchair Accessible Toilets

Wheelchair accessible toilets are located on both Level 1 (the Booking Hall) and also at the top (well, on Level 68 – The View From The Shard‘s famous “loo with a view” is found here too).

Wheelchair Accessible Cafe/Restaurant

Hot and cold drinks as well as snacks are available to purchase on Level 69 and the open air Skydeck on Level 72.

Photo: View of the Shard at night, central London, by TheOtherKev from Pixabay.

See the Wheelchair Accessible London Guide for details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, restaurants and hotels in central London.