Located on the South Bank of the River Thames in Central London, the London Eye is Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel. Standing an impressive 443 feet (135m) tall, it is also the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world and the number one tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, with more than 3.75m visitors taking a ride each year. It all adds up to an unforgettable experience.
If you're thinking of taking a spin on the London Eye, remember you can get your tickets, flights and accommodation at Trip.com…
Figure 1 On a clear day, The London Eye offers views over the entire city (Source: Danial Lange / unsplash)
A ride on the London Eye usually takes around 30 minutes, during which time the capsules turn at a speed of 0.6 miles per hour to reveal panoramic views of London. Until the 804-ft (245 m) observation deck on the 72nd floor of The Shard stole its thunder in 2013, the London Eye was the highest public viewing point in London. From the very top, passengers can see all the way to Windsor Castle and the outer city limits.
A wheelie romantic destination
Since it opened in 1999, the London Eye has seen more than 5,000 wedding proposals, and over 500 weddings. The Eye has become such a popular place to pop the question that they offer special private pods for that very purpose - though it will set you back a cool £360 (that's about $559), a few glasses of the complimentary champagne should make the price easier to swallow.
The London Eye was originally designed by a husband-and-wife team from Marks Barfield Architects, called Julia Barfield and David Marks. They submitted their idea for the Eye in response to a 1993 competition, which asked Londoners to design a landmark in celebration of the new millennium. It was due to open from January 1 in the year 2000, but a clutch problem on one of the capsules delayed the maiden voyage for over a month. The London Eye finally opened to the public on March 9, 2000.
Figure 2 Riding The London Eye is a quintessentially British experience (Source: Jacques Vandinteren/ unsplash)
In total, there are 32 capsules on The London Eye - one for each of the 32 boroughs that make up the city. Take a ride though, and you'll notice that something doesn't quite add up. The reason being that Londoners a famously superstitious about the number 13 - so the capsules skip straight from 12 to 14 and then finish up at number 33.
Life in the public eye: a hotspot for celebs
The London Eye is a big hit with celebrities, some of whom can't seem to stay away. Matt Damon is known to be a big fan, while records kept at the site confirm that British supermodel Kate Moss has climbed aboard 25 times. Out in the lead though is American actress Jessica Alba, who's been on the Eye a dizzying 31 times!
Figure 3 Located between Westminster and the South Bank of the River Thames, The London Eye is surrounded by some of the city's most iconic landmarks
A truly multinational project
The wheel was developed and constructed in The Netherlands from UK steel, with cables from Italy and bearings from Germany, while the iron spindle and hub were cast in the Skoda factory in the Czech Republic. The capsules were made in the French Alps by cable-car specialists Poma, and the extra-safe laminated glass for the pods was made in Venice. Today, the London Eye attracts visitors from all over the world, making this quintessentially British attraction a truly global phenomenon.
The nearest Tube station is Waterloo, but Charing Cross, Embankment, and Westminster are also within walking distance. A standard ticket for the London Eye costs £27 (US$36) and includes a 30-minute ride in one of the pods. A family standard ticket will cost you £24.50 (US$33). If you're looking for a little something extra, why not combine a trip to the Eye with a Dinner Cruise on the Thames River?
Figure 4 Every year on New Year's Eve, the London Eye is the setting for a spectacular fireworks display
Located right in the very center of the city, The London Eye is an absolute must for anyone visiting London. Although lines can be quite long, the view from the top is well worth the wait. From up here, you can get a bird's eye view of various other London landmarks - from the South Bank and the Thames River to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
With so many great attractions nearby, the London Eye gives you unparalleled views of the city, and a glimpse of what makes London great.
FAQs about London Eye Ticket
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Why was the London Eye built?
The London Eye was built to commemorate the start of the 21st century. It was formally opened on December 31, 1999, by the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
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What is the London Eye actually called?
Another name for the London Eye is the Millennium Wheel.
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Why is it called the London Eye?
Since it first appeared in 1999, the London Eye has changed names almost as much as passengers. It has been called the Millennium Wheel, the British Airways London Eye, the Merlin Entertainments London Eye and the EDF Energy London Eye. As the sponsors and owners continue to revolve like the wheel itself, so does the name. Since January 2015, it's technically been called the Coca-Cola London Eye. Despite all the name changes, pretty much everyone just calls it the London Eye. This is partly because of the wide views of the city that it offers, but also because that's the name that's stuck over the years.
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Who owns the London Eye?
The London Eye has been owned by British Airways, Marks Barfield and the Tussauds Group. Today, it's owned by the Merlin Entertainments Group and sponsored by Coca Cola. Following a dispute between the Southbank Centre (which owns the land beneath one of the struts) and the London Eye, a 25-year lease was agreed on February 8, 2006. As part of the lease agreement, the London Eye provides the South Bank Centre with at least £500,000 a year.