London’s skyline is full of glass, steel, and ambition
You don’t have to be an architecture buff to appreciate the sight of London’s skyscrapers. Each tower tells a different story — of progress, ambition, and how the city keeps growing upward while holding onto its past.
Two buildings in particular stand tall — literally — in the London skyline: One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, and The View from The Shard near London Bridge.
They’re both iconic, both impressive, but when it comes to the experience they offer? The difference is day and night.
One Canada Square: A landmark without a view
Let’s start with One Canada Square. If you’ve ever headed into the financial district, you’ll know the building instantly. Sharp edges, clean lines, and that distinctive pyramid-shaped top — it’s a symbol of Canary Wharf and one of the tallest office buildings in the UK.
But here’s the thing: you can’t go up it — at least, not in the way you might think.
Unlike many other skyscrapers, One Canada Square doesn’t have a public viewing platform. It’s mainly office space, filled with banks, law firms, and private companies. So unless you’re heading there for work or a very specific business event, you won’t be getting a view from the top.
It’s an impressive building, no doubt. But as a visitor looking to take in the London skyline? It’s not really the destination you’re hoping for.
The View from The Shard: When the skyline opens up
Now let’s talk about what you can experience — and trust me, this one’s unforgettable.
The View from The Shard isn’t just the highest viewpoint in London — it’s a whole experience built around giving you a 360° view of the city in the most breathtaking way possible.
From 310 metres up, you can see it all: the Thames winding through the capital, Tower Bridge in perfect symmetry, the curve of St. Paul’s, the bustle of Borough Market far below, and yes — even Canary Wharf, including One Canada Square itself — now just a shiny piece of the puzzle.
The difference is simple: at The Shard, you’re not just looking at London — you’re seeing how it connects.
Height with heart
But what really makes The View from The Shard special isn’t just how high it is. It’s how it makes you feel when you’re up there.
It’s quiet. Calm. Beautiful. There’s space to move, to sit, to breathe. You can grab a glass of champagne, lean back against the glass walls, and just take it all in.
And unlike One Canada Square, The Shard welcomes you — whether it’s your first time in London or your fiftieth. It’s designed for people who want to feel what London looks like from above — not just check off a landmark.
Practical matters: Location, access, and experience
Let’s be real — Canary Wharf is a bit out of the way for most visitors. It’s clean, modern, and functional, but it doesn’t quite have the pulse of central London. On the other hand, The Shard sits right next to London Bridge Station, surrounded by energy, food, history, and character.
You don’t just go up, take a photo, and leave. You stay. You wander. You enjoy.
Final thoughts: The view worth climbing for
One Canada Square is impressive from the outside.
But The View from The Shard is the one that lets you be on the inside — looking out.
It’s the difference between seeing a tower and standing at the top of one. Between passing through a building and truly experiencing it.
So if you’re choosing where to go for a proper London view — choose the one that opens the whole city up to you.
Choose The View from The Shard.
