Finally, the EU’s tallest building has opened to the public! With construction completed nearly a whole year ago, the ‘view from the Shard’ has been hotly anticipated.

As you are now free to roam up the 95 storey building, we thought we would give you the lowdown on some little known facts about our much loved city:

• In 1949 Big Ben’s clock slowed down by 5 minutes when a flock of starlings landed on the minute hand!
• In Britain, cars drive on the left, except for one road; Savoy Court. As women traditionally sat behind their driver, this was changed by parliament to allow drivers to reach behind and open the passenger door without getting out, thus allowing female visitors to the Savoy Hotel to exit the car first.
• The architect of the Oxo Tower was forbidden to use any electronic advertising on the building so decided to incorporate the company’s logo in the windows instead.
• The first sandwich ever eaten by that name is claimed to have been consumed in the Shakespeare’s Head in Covent Garden by the Earl of Sandwich in 1762. A keen gambler, he used two slices of bread to prevent the grease from his meats from getting on his fingers and therefore his cards.
• St Paul’s Cathedral is so vital to London’s iconic skyline that there are strict planning regulations to ensure certain views of the infamous building aren’t ever obscured. This is partly why buildings such as the Gherkin, the Shard and the soon-to-be-built Walkie Talkie are so strangely shaped!

The Shard is open from 9.00 to 8.30

If you're looking for accommodation near this spectacular attraction, look no further than Holiday Inn London London - Kensington Forum

Book online now or call us on 0871 942 9100 and quote "IGCOR".