‘I took on The O2’s 52-metre climb and it was value each nerve-racking step’
OPINION: Daily Star’s Carly Hacon takes on London’s iconic O2 Arena climb – here’s what happened during her sky-high adventure, from the nerves to the views, and everything after…
Daily Star’s Carly Hacon went Up at the O2(Image: -)
There’s something pretty surreal about standing 52 metres above London. Especially when you’re attached to the roof of The O2 by nothing but a harness.
I recently headed up The O2 with my friend Jess, who had the experience on her bucket list. I’d actually done the climb once before with an ex-boyfriend, so it was rather nice to rewrite the memories with a friend this time around.
We’d typically booked ourselves in for a rainy, cloudy day, but the drizzle somehow added to the adventure and made the whole experience even more memorable. With October half term coming up, it’s also a brilliant option if you’re after something a bit different to the usual day out – and, as I quickly discovered, you certainly don’t need to be a kid to have a brilliant time.
The climb was an incredible experience(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
The best bit is that you can make a whole day of it. The O2 is more than just a concert venue, with its rooftop climb, shopping, bars and restaurants all under one roof. It’s also around 15 minutes from central London, making it an easy option for a day out without travelling too far.
Before setting off, we were kitted out with everything we needed for the 90-minute guided climb, including hooded jackets and hiking boots. So much for turning up in a glamorous outfit for the ultimate Instagram snap – but the slightly ridiculous weather-proof get-up only made our photos more memorable.
Our guide Ellie was brilliant. She told us she’d been doing four climbs a day for the past 10 months, so it’s safe to say she was something of a pro on the roof.
As we made our way upwards, she kept us 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 I expected. Before long, we’d reached the top and that was when it was time to take in the panoramic, 360-degree views, grab a drink and, naturally, take approximately 100 selfies.
Soft drinks and a glass of fizz were on offer, giving us the perfect excuse to celebrate making it to the summit.
Ellie even turned the experience into a bit of trivia, testing us on what we could spot across London.
We didn’t let the rain put us off(Image: -)
At one point she asked us to identify a tall building in Canary Wharf. We knew that one straight away, One Canada Square, where the Daily Star office is based. Apparently, we were the first climbers she’d ever had to get that answer right, which obviously felt like a major achievement.
Then came the descent, and this was where things got slightly more interesting.
For part of the way down, we had to walk backwards, which was considerably more nerve-wracking than going up. I even had a minor slip-up where I briefly ended up on my bum, but thankfully the harness meant there was never any real danger and the only thing injured was my ego.
Once we were safely back on solid ground, our O2 adventure wasn’t over. We headed inside and promptly did what any sensible person would do after scaling a 52-metre roof – we went shopping.
The O2 Outlet is home to more than 60 brands, including big names such as adidas, Calvin Klein, Nike, Superdry and Tommy Hilfiger, with discounts of up to 70% off RRP. There are plenty of opportunities to bag a bargain, whether you’re looking for a new outfit, trainers or a little treat for yourself.
With shops including Superdry, Kate Spade and Guess to browse, it was dangerously easy to convince ourselves that we had earned a few treats. After all, we’d just conquered a rooftop climb – surely that counted as a workout?
And after all that climbing, we 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.
We feel like we’d really achieved something!
Would I recommend it for October half term? Absolutely. It’s the sort of day out that gives you something to talk about afterwards – especially if, like me, you embarrass yourself on the way down.
The climb was also more accessible than I expected. Our group had people of different ages and abilities, and everyone seemed to get stuck in.
And while the weather didn’t exactly give us the picture-perfect London views we’d hoped for, 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. And with shopping, food and entertainment on offer afterwards, you can easily turn it into a full day out.
By the time we finally headed home, Jess and I were completely shattered. But after a day of climbing, shopping and laughing, I couldn’t really complain.
If you’re after something a little different this half term, we dare you to get yourself up there!
For more info and ticket info please visit here.
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