London Eye
Riverside Building, County Hall, Lambeth, London, Greater London
The London Eye offers panoramic views of world-famous central London landmarks from its prime location on the Thames River waterfront, opposite Houses of Parliament & Big Ben. The 443-foot-tall (135 meters) Ferris wheel was built to mark the millennium in the year 2000 and has since become one of the most popular paid tourist attractions in the United Kingdom.
A 30-minute ride in one of the 32 glass capsules offers 360-degree views over London highlights such as St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. One rotation takes 30 minutes, with the structure rotating at a fairly slow speed, meaning visitors are free to walk about their capsule and take photos from all sides.
The Eye’s more than 3.5 million annual visitors make the lines often quite long. Pre-book a fast-track London Eye ticket to maximize your time. Travelers with a penchant for luxury can opt to sip champagne while they ride. Many London Eye tours combine wheel rides with afternoon tea, a Thames River cruise, or bus tours. City tours cover the Eye and top sites, including the Tower of London and London Dungeon.
Take a spin on the London Eye at the start of your vacation to orient yourself and grasp the layout of the city.
On a clear day, it may be possible to spy Windsor Castle on the horizon from one of the capsules.
If gray skies threaten rain, nearby indoor activities abound. Visit the SEA LIFE® London Aquarium, the BFI IMAX cinema, or Shrek's Adventure to stay entertained during a storm.
The London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel.
The wheel rises up over the water on the south bank of the River Thames. Waterloo is the nearest tube station, serviced by the Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, and Waterloo and City lines. Visitors traveling on the District or Circle lines can disembark at Westminster, check out Westminster Abbey, and walk across Westminster Bridge. Surrounding the Eye are street performers, food stalls, and fairground attractions in Jubilee Gardens.
Look out for special themed events. The London Eye has hosted flash mobs, pop-up dining events, romantic Valentine's Day dinners, and even weddings. Plus, the Eye is a main feature in London's famous New Year's Eve fireworks display.
It's no accident that the London Eye has 32 capsules—each one represents one of the city's 32 boroughs. However, observant visitors will notice that the last capsule is actually No. 33. The creators skipped pod No. 13, deeming it unlucky.
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