'Up at The O2'

Saturday May 9, 2026.

For Keilyn's 13th birthday my mum bought her a ticket to climb over the O2 Arena. Not wanting to miss out, Emma bought me a ticket, so that I could join her. My uncle Martin would be joining us for the day, although he wouldn't be taking part in the climb. Instead he would be taking photos of our ascent and descent, while also exploring the public art along Olympian Way.

Arriving at Base Camp, we checked in and I was issued with a rubber wristband that contained a sensor, before we were ushered into a waiting room, where a video showed us what to expect from our climb. It went on to show climbs completed in the evening, at Christmas and at sunset. 

It then showed climbers taking part in yoga classes, listening to live music, dancing, performing record-breaking displays, along with a lot more, all on top of the O2 Arena.

Our group of thirteen was then joined by Conner, who would be our guide for the climb. He left us to watch a four-minute safety video, before taking us through to get kitted out for the climb. Keilyn, who was wearing trainers, was issued with a pair of sturdy high-grip shoes, while I was okay to wear my walking boots. I was issued with a gilet, which had zipped pockets to store our phones in, with 'Get Over It' emblazoned across the back. Once Keilyn had placed her shoes in a blue storage box, picking one with a 'SpongeBob SquarePants' sticker on it, rather than a number, we handed it to Conner and collected a clasp each, before he issued us each with a harness.

We then made our way outside and formed a line as Conner explained how to put on the harness, fasten it tight and to attach the 'C' clamp. He then checked each individual harness, before sending us up the stairs to the start point. Keilyn's harness was different from mine, as it had zipped pockets incorporated into its design, so she secured her phone in it.

A final message that all phones should be kept locked away, until we reach the Observation Deck, and should anyone drop their phone, or any other valuables, onto the roof of the O2 Arena, then it would cost £1,000 to get the items retrieved. I double checked that our phones were secure... twice.

At the starting point we were met by another guide, named Emma, who, after scanning our wristband, took our photo. Conner then showed us how the 'C' clasp worked. Keilyn was the first to link herself to the safety line and led the way up the 30° incline. The blue fabric walkway, which is 380 metres (1246 feet) in length, is suspended just two metres (6.56 feet) above the roof of the O2, and has an almost trampoline-type bounce to it.

Photo ©Martin Bullock.

About midway up the steep incline gradually decreased, making it even easier to move along. By now we had both worked out the best way to hold our 'C' clamp, thereby barely pausing at each of the links. Again, we stopped as Conner had instructed, thus allowing those behind us to catch up. Every time we stopped we looked around at the view which was getting better with each metre we climbed. Ahead of us we could see the group that had left fifteen minutes before us strolling around the Observation Deck, taking in the sights. With Conner's "go ahead" Keilyn led us to the Observation Deck, where we all detached from the safety line and began taking in the spectacular 360° views.

Those that had pre-ordered drinks to have at the top of the O2 collected them, while everyone else took in the views on this remarkably beautiful day. The weather was clear enough, with next to no wind, that we could see up to fifteen miles in most directions. 

The transmitters, at Crystal Palace, were clearly visible 6.4 miles (10.31 km) away. The Greenwich Power Station, which is a back-up for the London Underground should there be a major power outage, The Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark were all clearly visible. The Shard and St Paul's Cathedral are now completely hidden from view by new buildings, on the Canary Wharf Estate. 

On the north bank the 'Stettler's Monument' at Virginia Quay, with its four flags, was clearly visible, along with Trinity Buoy Wharf and Bow Creek Lighthouse, which is London's only lighthouse. To the east the ExCeL Centre, City Airport and the London Cable Car all glinted in the afternoon sun.

Information boards, which encircle the Observation Deck, helped identify some of the sights, but some of these are now out-of-date, with new buildings constantly changing this part of London's skyline. Other boards give historical facts about the River Thames, the history of the area and some of the characters that have called this place home.

After a few minutes the other climbers, led by their guide Daisy, began their descent, leaving our small group to explore the views. While we took in the panoramic view Conner was pointing out some of the sights, regaling us with facts and generally entertaining everyone. He was also more than happy to take photos for anyone that asked, which we did. 

Some of the facts that he told us included the 250+ marriage proposals, that had taken place on the top of the O2, four of which had resulted in a "No". Another proposal ended with the ring being dropped onto the roof. When the ring was finally recovered, nearly six months later, they were no longer together!!! 

After almost thirty minutes we reattached ourselves to the safety line and, with Keilyn leading the way, began our descent.

Photo ©Martin Bullock.

During our descent we caught up with Daisy's group, who were at one of the photography points, where a photo was snapped of you during your descent. As we peered down towards the River Thames we spotted my uncle Martin, sitting by one of the many pieces of public art along Olympian Way. We waved until he saw us. Conner asked who we were waving at and, once he had spotted him, waved too. We then began our descent which hit an angle more acute than the ascent, at 33°. Some of the climbers behind us decided to walk backwards, while Keilyn and I continued to walk forward. 

Once we reached the ground we had another photo taken against a 'green screen', before waiting for the rest of our group to join us. We then unfastened our clamp and harness, before making our way into the North Base Camp, where our boxes awaited us. Our harness, clamp and gilet were all bagged and items removed from the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' box, before we thanked Conner and made our way into the gift shop. An assistant scanned our wristband and a screen was soon filled with seventeen photos of us, taken throughout our climb. 

I let Keilyn pick the photograph that she liked the most, which was one of us taken with the 'green screen' replaced with the O2 at night. This came with a magnet and key ring.

We then made our way out of the gift shop and through the O2 Arena to the main entrance, where Martin was awaiting us.

I would wholeheartedly go again and would convince others to experience the climb, too.

Our 'Up at The O2' Gallery

Keilyn and I were totally blown away by the experience. Every member of staff, the various guides and every other team member we interacted with, were knowledgeable, entertaining and made sure that we were safe and had an enjoyable experience. 

The prices in the gift shop were reasonable, but, If there was one downside it would be the cost of the photographs. The photograph bundles, of which there are three, were roughly as follows.

1. £15: a key ring and magnet set, with a photo of your choice printed out (no digital download)
2. £25: one large print of your choice (no digital download)
3. £30: two large photos and a digital copy of every photo

This is the first time, that I can recall, that the digital download is not part of every photo bundle.

Up at The O2 - website

Trivia

• The entire space inside The O2 equals 2.2 million cubic metres
• The tent material covering the O2 is just 1mm thick
• The total length of the high-strength cabling that supports the roof is 43 miles (70 kms)
• On average, climbers burn between 250 & 300 calories while scaling Up at The O2
• The Up at The O2 walkway is 380 metres (1246 feet) in length
• The O2 has twelve masts, representing the months of the year
• The O2 has a diameter of 365 metres (1197 feet), representing the days of the year
• The O2 has a height of 52 metres (170 feet), representing the weeks of the year