What you may ask is a gherkin? It’s a small pickled cucumber. The wit and wisdom of the British nicknamed the Swiss Re Tower at 30 St. Mary Axe in London as The Gherkin. In fact, everyone calls it The Gherkin, a name given to the Swiss Re Tower even when it was in its early planning stages. Now a London landmark and lauded throughout the world for its instantly recognisable design, I can’t imagine the city without The Gherkin. You can see it from lots of different angles with its fat tummy sticking out behind more slender buildings. Usually closed to the public, my family and I lined up at Open House London to get a peek inside this famous building.
Although usually closed to the public, the Gherkin offers fantastic views over London.
Contents
The Gherkin’s Architecture
Opened in 2004, the Swiss Re Tower was designed by British starchitect Norman Foster and his firm Foster + Partners as the headquarters for the insurance firm, Swiss Re. In addition to this insurance company, the building does have other office occupants as well. The Gherkin building stands on the spot of the former Baltic Exchange building which got bombed by the Provisional IRA in 1992.
The Gherkin looming over some more traditional architecture nearby.
As with the Foster + Partner’s designed ME Hotel, I found the interior design very masculine. Everywhere you look, you see lots of sleek straight lines with minimal ornamentation.
A vase of flowers softens all the geometrical lines. The bathrooms are hidden behind the studded walls. No handles to ruin the lines.
The Swiss Re Tower uses eco-friendly principles to minimise its impact on the environment. For example, the use of clever air shafts allow the building to use passive solar heating in the winter. I appreciate that the Swiss Re building is not very tall. Although striking and hard to miss, the Gherkin does not dominate the skyline by towering over all the buildings near it.
What is The Gherkin Used For?
The Gherkin is an office building with the top three floors used as a private club. The building is located in the City of London Corporation (the financial heart of the City of London which is also known as the Square Mile). Confusing, right? As with many things in Britain, the names originated from historical context. For example, the City of London Corporation has its own Lord Mayor (different from the Mayor of London). Just go with it.
The Gherkin and Open House London
The Gherkin is not open to the general public except in certain circumstances. For example, Searcy’s at The Gherkin restaurant and bar occasionally opens its doors to non-members. You can also get a free peak inside the Gherkin during the annual Open House Weekend held in London every September.
On previous Open House Weekends, we have been to Marlborough House in the St. James’s area of London but this year my son insisted on visiting The Gherkin. He loves architecture, and specifically skyscrapers, so we have visited tall buildings all around the world (Tokyo Tower, One World Observatory etc).
The Swiss Re building has its own small plaza surrounding its entrance.
We had avoided The Gherkin on previous Open Houses because the lines to enter this building are notoriously long. This year was no different. When we got to the building on the Sunday at 9 AM, the line was already wrapping around the corner. Apparently the first people in line had gotten there by 6 AM. Now that’s dedication to architecture!
The Open House organisers had children’s activities on the plaza to keep the kids in line occupied. Here my daughter is sketching the Gherkin.
We stood in line for an hour and half before we were able to get inside the building. My daughter was completely over it but my son was determined to stay and get inside. We were ushered inside in small groups which involved more waiting for elevators. Once inside, we were sent straight up to the floor Searcys occupies. It looked like they moved all the furniture to keep tacky commoners from messing up the nice stuff.
Of course, we had all been waiting in long for so long, once people got inside, they headed straight for the bathrooms. We only had about 15 minutes for the visit before we were marched back to the elevators, and the line for the ladies’ room was going to take 10 minutes at least. I told my daughter that she’d just have to deal because we were not waiting in line for an hour and half just to use the restroom inside and not see anything else!!
Photo Gallery Of London From The Swiss Re Tower
The 360 degree view from the Searcys Bar is spectacular even on a cloudy day like we encountered.
More traditional architecture in the form of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
You can see the shard and the Walkie Talkie buildings from the Gherkin.
This building, the Mayor of London’s HQ, is known as The Testicle for obvious reasons.
The Thames winds its way to the Docklands financial centre at Canary Wharf.
A bird’s eye view of Tower Bridge and The Tower of London
Another view of the so-called Walkie Talkie building in London.
This is the new London building called The Cheese Grater.
I used to work here at Tower 42. It used to be the old NatWest headquarters. From above when the CEO landed on the tower’s helipad, the building was shaped like the NatWest logo.
Searcys The Gherkin
Searcys, the private members’ club, offers 360 degree views of London. The Gherkin restaurant is located on the 39th floor and the bar on the 40th floor. They do let non-members into Searcys Gherkin for specific occasions like the Diamond in the Sky Afternoon Tea for Christmas. Everyone gets a champagne flute, tea and scones for £65 a person Sorry, it’s already sold out. There are also the occasional lunches and dinners at the Gherkin restaurant starting at a reasonable £50 per person.
Fun Facts About The Gherkin in London
- There are 41 floors of which 33 are office floors.
- Even though the building is curved, there is only one piece of curved glass in the structure – the dome at the top of Searcys at The Gherkin.
The dome at the top of the Swiss Re Tower in London.
- Each floor rotates 5 degrees from the floor below to give the triangular glass windows its diagonal swish.
- Almost 7500 panes of glass and 35 kilometres of steel were used in the construction of the building.
- The elliptical ‘gherkin’ like shape is a result of the structure been 180 metres tall and 178 metres wide at its widest part.
- The Gherkin made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
I personally think The Gherkin in London looks like a bullet. Wouldn’t The Bullet have been a cooler nickname? In the USA, I’m pretty sure the nickname would have been The Bullet. Calling the building The Gherkin though is much more in line with self-deprecating British humour.
The Gherkin Building is easily spotted in London but not generally open to the public to view the inside.
Practical Info To Know Before You Go
The Gherkin is easily accessible by tube or train from Liverpool Street Station, Aldgate Station or London Fenchurch Street. You can’t miss it. Just look for it in the skyline poking out. If you are going to visit The Swiss Re Tower for Open House London, get there early. By noon on the Sunday of the Open House, we saw that the line to enter The Gherkin snaked around several city blocks.
If you are staying in the City of London Corporation, I have friends who highly recommend the Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell. The Zetter is also a family-friendly boutique hotel which provides interconnecting family rooms, baby monitors, cot beds etc. The buzzing creative neighbourhood of Clerkenwell has lots of restaurants, cafes and bars. In fact I used to live around the corner (before it became an epicentre of cool though). You can walk easily into the financial centre or the West End.
Further Reading
[easyazon_link identifier=”1590204328″ locale=”US” tag=”jg20-20″]Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture[/easyazon_link] by Deyan Sudjic [easyazon_link identifier=”1902910389″ locale=”US” tag=”jg20-20″]London Architecture[/easyazon_link] by Marianne Butler [easyazon_link identifier=”0415825024″ locale=”US” tag=”jg20-20″]London’s Contemporary Architecture[/easyazon_link] by Ken Allinson [easyazon_link identifier=”1447276272″ locale=”US” tag=”jg20-20″]This is London[/easyazon_link] by Ben Judah [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”1590204328″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.justgoplacesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/41mhugjOa2L.SL160.jpg” tag=”jg20-20″ width=”107″][easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”1902910389″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.justgoplacesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/61sAeJh8drL.SL160.jpg” tag=”jg20-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”0415825024″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.justgoplacesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/51C7EMAbiyL.SL160.jpg” tag=”jg20-20″ width=”113″] [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”1447276272″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.justgoplacesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/41S8IOAoGL.SL160.jpg” tag=”jg20-20″ width=”105″]This article contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links will have no additional cost for you but may earn us a small commission.
More from my site
So This Is Christmas: A Photo Gallery of Festive Events in London
The Magical Lantern Festival, A Chinese Light Festival in London
Marlborough House: Recycling of a Royal Residence
Thai Silk Southwark, An Authentic Thai Restaurant in London
One of the Magnificent Seven, Highgate Cemetery in North London
Fun Facts About The Most Famous Church in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia
I’d love to see it inside too:) and the views:)
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Monthly Blog Overview: November 2016
The views are what makes it. You don’t get to see much inside. You’d think they were hiring state secrets in there instead of an insurance company.
It doesn’t really go with the London skyline. I never got close to it when I was in London 4 years ago but I could see it from almost everywhere I went to in the city
Rhonda recently posted…Discovering Street Art in Perth, Australia
Yes for a relatively short building you can see it from everywhere!!
I’d love to visit the Gerkhin and I don’t think half an hour queue is too bad for an open day. These open house days are such a great idea, we have them in France too, sometime around mid September. It’s amazing how the London skyline has changed over the years. I remember when Canary Wharf was built and was the only skyscraper in London, now it’s just one of many. I also love all the names, especially the cheese grater! #wkendtravelinspiration
Phoebe recently posted…24 hours in Hanoi
The open houses are a worldwide thing. Great for architecture lovers! It was actually 1.5 hours. Half hour would’ve been a breeze.
I love doors open days as you get to explore buildings like this. I would liked to have seen more photos of the interior, but maybe that’s because it is an office block and the views are what it is all about? Nice photos of London, I should visit soon!
They match you straight up to the restaurant. And everything except the table with the case of flowers was cleared out. There really was nothing to take photos of inside.
All these building names are cracking me up! Testicle? Gherkin? Cheese Grater?
The Brits do have a good sense of humor.
That is cool that you got to see the views from the gherkin. We saw a similar one in Barcelona!
budget jan recently posted…Castelmola overlooks Taormina the star of Sicily
Usually you see the gherkin as part of the skyline.
Love the Open House events around London. Great to have access to buildings like the Gerkin that you would never be allowed in otherwise. I actually didn’t know that the top 3 floors were a private club. I wonder how much it costs to join that club!
Drew recently posted…Hiking in Italy: A Guide for Beginners
Probably a lot. It’s a prestige thing isn’t it?
That is definitely some dedication to get in line beginning at 6am to see the inside of a building that is mostly office space. I don’t think I’d do it. Though I do enjoy admiring The Gherkin from the outside, usually as I pass by on the train. It is definitely an eye catching building in London’s skyline.
Jennifer recently posted…Ciné Gourmand at La Cité du Vin
My son really wanted to see it. But we drew the line at a 6 am start in a Sunday.
Wow! Didn’t get to do this when I was in London. What a view though! It looks incredible.
anna recently posted…Best Backpacking Apps for Traveling Southeast Asia
We had a cloudy day. On a good day, it would have been even more amazing.
I’ve always thought it was a funky looking building on the outside so it was really interesting to see the interior. The view of Tower Bridge and the Shard are my favorite views – but i’m glad you’ve posted this because I don’t think i’d ever have the patience to stand in line for a 15 minute visit to see this for myself!
Vicki Louise recently posted…10 Reasons To Visit Namibia in 15 Stunning Photographs
They had so many people in line. It did seem unreal though that you stood for hours and then the actual time inside was in 15 minute slots!
Wow thats awesome! Never even thought about visiting inside, granted the fact you said its closed to the public except for certain areas and on certain days. I love how this one special day “Open House Weekends” lets you get into any building in England! I’ve read so many articles that mention this! I have to keep that in mind whenever we go back to England! #Wkendtravelinspiration
It’s always in September and it’s always a big hit. You can get into special buildings like No. 10 Downing Street (the Prime Minister’s residence) but its by a special lottery. I apply every year but have yet to win a ticket.
Besides its history, one of the best things about London is the wonderful contemporary buildings that grace the skyline. What strange names they have though. Fancy calling a building gherkin!
Christina recently posted…10 places to photograph Southern Lights
Well it does look like a small pickle! And, everyone knows it now.
I never knew the real name for the Gherkin! I love this building, such a marvel of architecture. I think it’s only rivaled by the views from the building. Just lovely!
Leah recently posted…Holiday Capsule Wardrobe from Galeries Lafayette
We had no idea of the real name either. Then it turned out to be just an address so The Gherkin sounds much better.
I am laughing at the nicknames of all the buildings. I was quite excited to see the Gherkin at a distance when we were in London as I had heard so much about it. I also made note of the building which, as you’ve informed me, is called the Testicle. That’s hilarious.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…ICE! Sculptures at Gaylord Hotels
I find it amusing that The Testicle is where the Mayor of London is based.
Amazing views over the city! I instantly recognize the building but had no idea it was referred to as the Gherkin lol pretty apt name. I’ve always wondered what it looked like inside but had no idea they opened it to the public on certain days. Thanks for the tour!
The Brits are great with nicknames. Other than the Club floors, they don’t really let you look around, probably because it is all office space.
A huge glass structure between those monuments, I am not sure if I am liking it or not. But the views you mentioned are worth it. It reminds me so much of Atomium in Brussles.
Indrani recently posted…Faces of India – 295
I’ve not heard of that building – will check out the Atomium!
Shobha, I love that architecture of the Gherkin, and the views look amazing. I would be cranky standing in line, though. So I get your daughter! Happy travels!
Corinne recently posted…Drink From the Cup of Life!
It was definitely worth standing in line for! We won’t do it again though.
What a cool shaped building! It really does look like a pickle. So cute that your son was determined to go inside! Hope you had fun 🙂
Yes, he made us stand in line because I’m not sure I’d have quite managed on my own. Sunday morning is better suited to sleeping in.
We saw The Gherkin from a distance on our recent visit to London. I would love the chance to get inside, though. The views are fabulous!
the views were indeed amazing even on a cloud day!
I have always been curious about this building. Its quite the beauty. I did not know you could go inside- so I will be checking that out when I come back.
It is very pretty I think. And, you see it from everywhere poking out from behind other buildings.
Has this building always been loved by Londoners?. I just seem like the one building that each city has that people would not like much like Montparnasse in Paris or the Parasol in Seville. I thought it looked cool when we were there last year
There was definitely people who hated it while it was going up but now people have come around. It’s actually cool to look at the way the light reflects off the glass panels.
Hahaha I love the “story” behind why its called the Gherkin and I totally agree with the quirky British humor, which I love btw. Its an “office” building? No way, I would’ve never guessed that. It looks pretty amazing – standing tall and green cucumbery hehe.
Exactly! Not just an office building but insurance and law firms – so really boring offices.
Haha the gherkin — how cool! I have yet to explore London, but I want to check this out when I visit in the future! It looks like it offers pretty awesome views.
Glad you liked it!
I heard this was the best place in London to see the city. Even better than the London Eye, cause this way you can get the London Eye in the photo too!
Keryn recently posted…Travel to Cuba facts for U.S. Citizens Visiting for the First Time
Yes, you do get an amazing view of the rest of the city. I loved seeing how the Thames swerves through the city.
I love the architecture of the Gherkin. And gherkin is such a terrific word!
Yes, it would have been too boring to call it a Pickle.
I’ve always wondered what the Gherkin looks like inside and if the views are as good as people say they are. Looks like it’s definitely worth a visit – and the wait in line 🙂
Yes, but I wouldn’t do that line again! Next time I’m signing up to have drinks or dinner at Searcy’s.
Gherkins are one of my favorite pickles! I love the architecture, but the lines would kill me. However, with those views waiting at the top, I wouldn’t be able to resist. Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
Nancie recently posted…European Architecture for Travel Photo Thursday
I don’t think I’ve ever had a gherkin! Now I want tot ry one.