It was my dad’s birthday recently, so what better way to celebrate than by having some fun, making some memories and doing a sunset climb of the o2!

Firstly, if you are on o2, you can often get discounts through their o2 priority app for booking this activity.

Our climb was scheduled for 18:15 and o2 recommend you arrive 15 minutes before your allocated slot.

Here’s me, waiting to go! See the walkway suspended over the roof in the background? (Photo credit - my dad)

Upon arrival at o2’s ‘base camp’ (situated to the left of the o2 arenas main entrance) you are checked in by the host and presented with a waiver form to fill in and sign while you wait for your session to begin. To complete the experience you must be medically fit to climb. (Disclaimer - Ensure you consult a medical professional prior to booking the experience if you are unsure)

A brief safety video and introduction from the guide follows ensuring everyone understands the rules of the climb. Once understood, you then move through to the equipment room where you swap your completed waiver form for 3 pieces of kit. (Shoes, harness and a body warmer type garment)

Preparation room - blue boxes for belongings.

Demonstrations are given to show how to correctly put on the equipment. The staff are also on hand to assist and tighten everything up. All belongings other than mobile phones are put in numbered plastic boxes which are then all put together in a big flight case and kept for later. (They transport the case to the exit for you, so your items are waiting for you when you complete the climb). Note: There are no individual physical lockers to use - only individual numbered boxes.

Kit - shoes, body warmer type garment and harness

Things to remember: Socks are an absolute must here as you have to wear shoes provided by o2. Also, a hairband is pretty handy if you have long hair - I was provided with an elastic one, as I could not find one of my own. Also, phones have to be kept in the zipped pockets of the body warmer provided and are allowed to be taken out and used at the viewing platform only. Lastly, it can be chilly at the top, so it may be worth taking a jumper if you are likely to get cold. This has to be worn under your equipment obviously.

Once harnesses have been checked and double checked, the journey begins after a few flights of stairs, where there is a photographer ready and waiting to take pictures before you commence your climb. You will have the chance to purchase these at the shop at the end of the experience.

Photos completed, the guide (our guide was Megan) then attaches you to the safety wire of the experience and gives a demonstration of how to operate the equipment. You essentially have to push your safety system along on the wire as you go. It is super easy to master and once you have the hang of it, you are ready to go!

It is worth mentioning that the walkway that leads up to the top of the o2, is a bouncy kind of material (although, no bouncing allowed) and is not a solid path. The climb is also single file only and my dad and I went first. The initial section particularly is deceptively steep, but once that section is complete, the climb gets gradually easier. As the guide is responsible for all the individuals in the party, the front runners have to wait at designated points for the rest of the party to catch up. Our group was relatively small, with probably only around 15 people.

The metal viewing platform, in the centre of the top of the dome offers great views of London. I’ve included some photos throughout this post so you can see what to expect.

You are allocated around 15 minutes at the top of the platform to take pictures and observe the city. Sunset is a lovely time to see London with an orange glow behind the skyline. The guide is also on hand to take photos of individual groups if required.

Once the time on the viewing platform is complete, then you make your way down the building. The descent is on the other side of the building from where the experience starts and not via the same walkway that you started on.

View of the start of the descent from the viewing platform.

The last section of the descent is also steep because of the incline, nevertheless, you feel safe at all times.

Once you have conquered the O2, there is a little podium at the end for photo opportunities.

Kit is then returned, belongings are collected and you are free to browse the gift shop. To return to the o2 entrance, you have to walk back through the inside of the o2.

All in all, the experience was great from start to finish - well organised and fun. Its physically challenging whilst being enjoyable at the same time and a fun activity to do with friends and family. Rewarded of course, by the view when you get to the top! Obviously there are other, higher landmarks in London, where the view is more extensive, but at just over 50 metres, this is an awesome option.

Have you climbed the o2? Got any questions? Leave them in the comments below…

Debbie

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