Feeling flush? Ticket prices fail to deter tourists as The Shard opening day sells-out

A visit to the top of the building costs £24.95 for adults and £18.95 for children

Despite steep ticket prices visitors to London have not been put off shelling out for a chance to view the London cityscape from the top of The Shard.

A visit to the top of the building costs £24.95 for adults and £18.95 for children.

But despite the ticket price the first two days after it opens to the public have sold out.

For their money, visitors to The Shard, which towers over London Bridge station in south London, get a panoramic view of the capital.

They take two lifts to get to level 68 for 40-mile views and then they can go up as far as the 72nd floor where viewing area is partly in the open.

In the viewing areas visitors will be able to look, for free, through special telescopes known as Tell: scopes.

These are particularly useful if visibility is poor as they show not only a live "as it is" image but, at the push of a button, what a clear-day view would be as well as a sunset view and a night view.

Those using the telescopes will, by focusing on a particular landmark, receive audible information about it.

Another 'attraction' to some may be the high-rise toilets which allow visitors to marvel at landmarks including the Tower of London and HMS Belfast.

A limited number of the 'loos with a view' are available however they are not normally open for general use a spokesman said.

Visitors will take two lifts to get to level 68 for 40-mile views and then they can go up as far as the 72nd floor where a viewing area is partly in the open.