Tried and Tested: Up at The O2

The O2

Before we delve into the day, let’s talk first about the world-famous arena. Opened in 2007, it’s the first purpose-built music venue in London since the Royal Albert Hall was constructed way back in 1871. The North Greenwich landmark has welcomed approximately 70 million people through its door since opening and sees around 9 million visitors annually.  

And there’s far more to the construction than meets the eye:

• The O2 has 12 yellow support towers to represent the 12 months of the year
• It’s 52 metres at its highest point to represent each week of the year
• It has a diameter of 365 metres to represent each day in the year

The Day

Training

We were well prepared before making the treacherous journey to the summit of the arena. When we first arrived at the ticket office, we were warmly welcomed by the team and made sure we’d all signed the waiver form in advance online. (Don’t panic, you can just do this on the day if you’d prefer). Then, the instructor ran through everything that was going to happen throughout the climb as well as a few important house rules like no bouncing on the walkway. We then went off to a training room where we watched a video to reinforce everything she had already told us. About three minutes in length, the video regaled us with fascinating facts about the arena along with safety tips, all against a cinematic soundtrack to set the adventurous tone for the unique escapade that we were about to embark on. 

Suited and booted

We were then led into a separate room to don our climbing gear. We all exchanged our shoes for construction-style trainers to help ensure a tight grip on the fabric walkway. Many of us also changed into ‘Up at The O2’ branded jackets to help shield us from the cold of the transitioning day-to-night. Mobile phones can be taken on the climb so long as they’re tightly secured and only used at the summit, not during the climb. Unsurprisingly, The O2 cannot be held liable for any damage or loss to personal items. Any other belongings are safely secured in lockers, ready for collection post-climb. Now we looked the part, it was time to get harnessed up. 

The Walk 

Heading outside, we were guided through the process of strapping ourselves into our harnesses including tightening and loosening bands to keep them out of the way. Armed with our safety lines, we made the first three storey ascent by staircase to the bottom of the climb. A quick glance around at the pink and orange sky and glistening lights of London, we made sure to make the most of the photo opportunities. 

The instructors then directed us towards the main rail, where we clipped ourselves on. The first step onto the walkway was quite shaky - the slight breeze and fabric surface certainly took some getting used to. But we proceeded to make the surprisingly short trip to the summit and the viewing platform. At its steepest point, the walkway has an incline of 28° on the way up and 30° on the way back down. 

Once we reached the summit, we were unattached from the main rail so we were free to walk around and enjoy the panoramic views. We could see historic Greenwich, the Olympic Park, the dramatic skyscraper of Canary Wharf and beyond. There’s even signs wrapped around the viewing platform to help us navigate the skyline. We spent 20 minutes snapping as many selfies as we could, framing artsy cityscape shots and for those brave enough, glancing over the side to see how far we’d climbed. 

The Descent

What goes up, must come down. We were hooked back onto the rail, ready to make the descent back to the ground. While the way down is shorter, it’s slightly more challenging as gravity is fuelling you down but thanks to the grip of our shoes and the bounciness, we were able to keep a steady stance. It only took around 10 minutes to get back down, then we removed our harnesses and went back to the room to collect all of our belongings from the lockers. 

If we had to sum up the experience in one word, it would be adventurous. The thrill of climbing up the roof of the iconic O2 dome is truly one-of-a-kind and the unobstructed views of London and the River Thames you’re rewarded with at the top is truly unforgettable. Not to mention, the feeling of accomplishment when you get back to the ground is unmatched, knowing that you’ve done something unique. 

FAQs

How to get there?

The location of Up at The O2 is extremely easy to find. From North Greenwich tube station, as you exit the station, walk towards The O2 arena (it’s hard to miss). Once you’re at the main entrance, take a left and you’ll see the sign for ‘base camp’. 

Are there any restrictions?

You need to be physically and medically fit. The minimum age is 8 years old and the adult to child ratio is as follows: 

8-11 1:2

12-13 1:4

14-17 1:5 

Unfortunately, pregnant women can not partake due to the tightness of the harness and the physically demanding nature of Up at The O2. 

When should I arrive for my climb?

Please arrive 15 minutes before your climb time. Unfortunately, you can’t be checked in before then but if you’re early, there’s plenty of things to look at in the arena area. 

How long does the climb last?

It’s best to give yourself around 90 minutes for the whole experience - that includes briefing, getting kitted out in your gear and the climb itself which will take around 60 minutes, depending on the speed of the group. 

Summary

I would highly recommend this experience to any thrill seeker or someone looking to step outside of their comfort zone. Whether it's to mark a milestone occasion in style or just see London from a whole new vantage point, you won't regret climbing up The O2.