Climbing the O2 in London

Last updated: 17 July 2023

Pitched on the Greenwich Peninsula in South-East London, the O2 is one of London’s iconic landmarks. But did you know you can climb the O2 most days of the year? 

What Is The O2? 

The O2 is a London landmark located in North Greenwich, on London’s Greenwich Peninsula.

The formerly known as the Millennium Dome, it’s impossible to miss The O2. Distinguishable by its circular shape, 365m diameter to be precise, the iconic blue dome is surrounded by 12 yellow spires, and is one of the largest of its type found anywhere in the world.  

Easily spotted from the city’s many skyscrapers and also from the air, The O2 has become one of the United Kingdom’s most recognisable sights.

Preparing to Climb the O2

Securing a time to climb the O2 is as simple as selecting a timeslot online and arriving 15 minutes prior for your safety briefing.

After the safety video, the climbing safety team will supply you with a gillet or jumpsuit (depending on the weather), climbing shoes and a safety harness before securing any valuables in a locked box during the climb.  The harness is the type you step into, so be sure to wear trousers, jeans or long shorts. Shoes are provided but you’ll need to have your own socks!

Our climb guide talked our group through the specifics of the harness and locking system, which keeps you safely attached to the climbing cable throughout the entire climb. Nervous climbers are reassured that there’s no need to disconnect from the safety wire as your harness and lock is always attached.

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Time to Climb!

The 90 minute experience starts with a 2 storey stair climb to get the legs working. After which, climbers will step off a steel platform and onto the canopy.

The dome-shaped canopy is supported by a cable network attached to the twelve yellow masts. The surface has the feel of a bouncy castle crossed with a trampoline. At this stage, the temptation to bounce is incredibly high!

At an incline of roughly 30°, the first 20m of the ascent is the steepest, after which it does flatten out giving the climbers a chance to catch their breath.  

Note, the smaller your climbing group, the faster you’ll climb. The benefit being more time you will get at the flat viewing platform at the top of the O2 to take photos… and catch your breath.

What Can You See From the Top of The O2?

We played spot the landmark picking out Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the iconic skyscrapers of London’s financial district, Canary Wharf and the red illuminated tangle of steel that is the ArcelorMittal Orbit – remember when I slid down the slide inside it?

With proximity to London’s City Airport, it’s very common to see planes flying overhead, and if the weather is nice you can see up to 15mi/24km away.

Also visible from the top of the O2, is the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Historically significant, it’s the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Time plays a significant role in the design of O2 with hours, days, weeks and months are represented in The O2s design. These details are easily missed, but once you know it, you can tell it’s not-so-subtle nod to the Prime Meridian, longitude 0°, which passes the western edge of The O2.

There are twelve yellow 100 metre-high masts supporting the O2 each representing each month of the year and each hour on a clock. It’s also no accident that the walkway is 52m above the ground, or that the O2 has a circumference of 365m, representing each day of a calendar year.

Who can climb?

Climbing the O2 is suitable for range of ages and abilities, although Up at The O2, states you must be:

• be at least 9 years old
• be at least 1.2m tall
• not weigh more than 21 stone/130kg/286lbs
• not have a waist measurement more than 125cm
• not have an upper thigh measurement more than 75cm

Guidance says the experience is not suitable for pregnant women and there is a ratio of adults to children so if you’re travelling with several children under 17, check the ratios before booking.

Am I Fit Enough?

I’m a plus-size woman with a sedentary office job, on top of that, I often battle with lower limb inflammation. I don’t hike, and I would confidently say I’m a long way from “fit”. If I can do it, you can do it. It’s significantly easier and less scary than climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

If you feel pressured by the presence of others or nervous about your cardio capability, position yourself at the back of your group of climbers so you can take your time and catch your breath as you need to. An added bonus is it’ll also give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the scenery over London as you reach new heights.

Can I Take My Camera? 

Yes! You can take your mobile phone, GoPro or small compact camera as long as it zipped up in a pocket of your gillet/jumpsuit during the climb. From personal experience, phones smaller than Samsung Note 8 or iPhone XS Max will just fit with effort but nothing bigger.

Taking photos during the ascent and descent is not permitted but there are plenty of opportunities to take photos once you reach the viewing platform.

Descending the O2

Perhaps you think that going down has got to be easier than going up, but this image may make you think otherwise.

To climb down, you can choose whether to be forward-facing, backwards or side on.

Descending backwards is said to be kinder on the knees and ankles. Considering my options and my failing lower limbs I thought forward facing would be a challenge. A challenge indeed, I quickly pivoted and stepped my way down backwards, almost like abseiling down.

The Verdict

I had a great time climbing the O2. If the weather is on your side you’re in for a treat.  It’s fun and an active way to spend your time in London. 

While the view is something you can get elsewhere, on the Emirates Air Line for example, the experience of the climb and being at the top of the O2 is unique to London.

The Essentials

Up At The O2

Cost: Tickets for Up at the O2 start from as little as £30 per person

Location: Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

Nearest Tube: North Greenwich (Jubilee line)

Opening Hours: Open most days, although exact open and closing times change depending on the time of year

Tickets: Grab one for yourself or why not give the climb as a Christmas gift? Vouchers are available.