The London Eye

The London Eye, opened for the first time on 31st December 1999, ushered in the new millennium in style. It was the tallest ferris wheel in the world at the time and, standing at a height of 135 metres above the River Thames with a support on just one side, it’s still the tallest of its kind over 20 years later. Riding the eye allows you to observe London in 360 degrees and up to 25 kilometres in every direction.

The wheel has 32 capsules, to represent the 32 boroughs of London. With enough room for 25 people in each one, the eye can hold up to 800 people at a time. It's the combination of the experience and the capacity that makes the London Eye the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, hosting over 3 million people every year.

The Eye is in constant motion. Each capsule takes about 30 minutes to complete a rotation, travelling at a smooth speed of about 3 miles per hour. That gives you plenty of time to observe the nation’s capital in the round. At lower altitudes, you can watch boats on the Thames and peer into the Palace of Westminster as you rise to the height of Big Ben, while at the peak of the rotation you’ll be able to see as far as The Shard, Canary Wharf and Hyde Park.

In its two decades (and counting) of operation, the wheel, designed by Marks Barfield Architects, has won over 80 awards both for its design and the tourist experience it delivers on the national and international stage. It’s also been known by many names, often reflecting its official sponsor of the moment. It’s currently known as the lastminute.com London Eye.

There’s more on offer than just the wheel. Boat trips on the river are also available, taking you on a circular, 40-minute tour of the Thames that perfectly complements the perspective you get from the Eye. In addition, the wheel’s setting in Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the river gives you access to the London Aquarium and the Houses of Parliament and from Waterloo Station so you can explore to your heart's content.

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