London Eye

Overview

The strictly iconic London Eye is a massive, incredibly graceful cantilevered observation wheel sitting elegantly on the very edge of the South Bank. It offers beautifully slow-moving, sweeping, panoramic views stretching across the Thames onto the Houses of Parliament.

Highlights

• The Pods: The 32 spacious, climate-controlled glass ovoid capsules that represent the 32 independent boroughs of London.
• The Apex: Creeping incredibly slowly up to the staggering maximum height of 135 metres, providing unrivaled, structured aerial views of Westminster.
• The Night Illumination: After dark, the massive, intricately woven steel wheel illuminates in vibrant, shifting neon colors, reflecting beautifully in the murky river below.

History

Originally intended strictly as a massive but temporary structure to celebrate the incoming new millennium in 2000. It quickly became so popular, functioning as a globally recognized symbol of modern London, that it was powerfully and permanently kept.

Visitor Tips

• Fast Track: Seriously do not hesitate to forcefully purchase the upgraded Fast Track ticket; the standard lines are notoriously, notably long and frustrating in peak summer.
• The Rotation: The massive wheel moves so impossibly, deliberately slowly (0.6 mph) that it uniquely never stops rotating to let passengers firmly embark or disembark.
• Duration: The rotation takes 30 minutes.