Daily Star's Carly Hacon took on The O2's 52-metre rooftop climb, finding the experience well worth the nerves. The ascent was easier than expected, the 360-degree views were spectacular, and the descent proved the trickiest part.
Climbing The O2 with a friend
Carly headed up The O2 with her friend Jess, who had the experience on her bucket list. Having done the climb once before with an ex-boyfriend, Carly welcomed the chance to rewrite the memories with a friend.
They had booked themselves in for a rainy, cloudy day, but the drizzle added to the adventure and made the experience more memorable. With October half term coming up, it's a brilliant option for something different from the usual day out, and you certainly don't need to be a kid to have a brilliant time.
The 90-minute guided climb
Before setting off, they were kitted out with everything needed for the 90-minute guided climb, including hooded jackets and hiking boots. The slightly ridiculous weather-proof get-up only made their photos more memorable.
Their guide Ellie, who had been doing four climbs a day for the past 10 months, kept them entertained with fascinating facts about The O2 and the surrounding areas, while making sure everyone was comfortable.
Strangely, the climb up was much easier than expected. Before long, they had reached the top and it was time to take in the panoramic, 360-degree views, grab a drink and take approximately 100 selfies. Soft drinks and a glass of fizz were on offer, giving them the perfect excuse to celebrate making it to the summit.
A trivia test and a tricky descent
Ellie turned the experience into a bit of trivia, testing them on what they could spot across London. At one point she asked them to identify a tall building in Canary Wharf. They knew that one straight away: One Canada Square, where the Daily Star office is based. Apparently, they were the first climbers she'd ever had to get that answer right.
Then came the descent, where things got slightly more interesting. For part of the way down, they had to walk backwards, which was considerably more nerve-wracking than going up. Carly even had a minor slip-up where she briefly ended up on her bum, but thankfully the harness meant there was never any real danger and the only thing injured was her ego.
Shopping and dining after the climb
Once safely back on solid ground, the O2 adventure wasn't over. They headed inside and promptly went shopping. The O2 Outlet is home to more than 60 brands, including adidas, Calvin Klein, Nike, Superdry and Tommy Hilfiger, with discounts of up to 70% off RRP.
With shops including Superdry, Kate Spade and Guess to browse, it was dangerously easy to convince themselves they had earned a few treats. After all, they had just conquered a rooftop climb – surely that counted as a workout?
After all that climbing, they were absolutely starving. Luckily, The O2 has more than 30 bars and restaurants, so there was no shortage of places to refuel. Whether you're after a quick bite, a sit-down meal or drinks with friends, there are plenty of ways to round off the day.
Would she recommend it?
Carly would absolutely recommend it for October half term. It's the sort of day out that gives you something to talk about afterwards – especially if, like her, you embarrass yourself on the way down.
The climb was also more accessible than expected. The group had people of different ages and abilities, and everyone seemed to get stuck in. And while the weather didn't exactly give picture-perfect London views, the drizzle somehow made the whole thing even more memorable.
With climbs starting from £37 per person, it's an experience worth considering if you're looking for something different to do in the capital. With shopping, food and entertainment on offer afterwards, you can easily turn it into a full day out.
By the time they finally headed home, Carly and Jess were completely shattered. But after a day of climbing, shopping and laughing, she couldn't really complain.
