The London Eye is one of the most emblematic structures in all of London city, despite being a relative new-comer to the cityscape as it’s only been open to the public since March 2000. At 135m tall, the 360 degree views from the giant ferris wheel are truly impressive, on a clear day riders can see out as far as 25 miles and even spot Windsor Castle!
The tallest ferris wheel in Europe, it was designed by seven architects and constructed over a seven year period.
It was delivered by way of barge up the Thames River in separate sections.
The attraction is composed of 32 capsules, each representing a different bourough of London and has a maximum capacity of 800 passengers.
One complete rotation of the wheel takes about 30 minutes, meaning each capsule moves at 26cm per second.
The London Eye weighs in at a whopping 2,100 tonnes.
The London Eye has changed “official” names over time from its first as the British Airways London Eye, to the Merlin Entertainments London Eye, to its current name of the EDF Energy London Eye.
The total cost of the London Eye was £70 million.
Where is the London Eye?
The London Eye is located on the South Bank of the river Thames, across from the Houses of Parliament.
The easiest way to get to the London Eye using public transport is via the Waterloo London Underground station. Other stations that are within walking distance of the attraction are Charing Cross, Embankment and Westminster.
Bus routes 211, 77 and 381 also stop outside the London Eye.
There are a number of hotels for visitors that would like to stay near the London Eye. The closest hotels to the London Eye are the Marriott County Hall, Doubletree By Hilton London Ealing, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London and Hampton By Hilton London Waterloo. To search and compare more hotels in London click here.
For those looking to grab a bite to eat either before or after their London Eye experience, there are many restaurants in the area with a large variety of cuisines. However, if you are in the area Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, a visit to the Southbank Centre Real Food Market is highly recommended. The market offers great value food and drinks from small producers and independent traders and it’s within a few minutes walk from the London Eye, right across the road from the Waterloo Station at Southbank Centre Square on Belvedere Road.
The ticket office is located inside County Hall, which is the building directly next to the London Eye.
Tip: book your ticket online ahead of time and save.