London Eye

The London Eye, one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, is a giant cantilevered observation wheel that’s located on the South Bank of the River Thames. The London Eye was opened in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium, it was originally called the Millennium Wheel. Standing at 135 meters (443 feet) tall and with a diameter of 120 m (394 ft), the London Eye was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel at the time of its completion, and quickly became an iconic feature of London’s skyline. The structure was designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, who envisaged a giant bicycle wheel with tensioned spokes supporting an external rim. It took seven years to complete, and features 32 sealed and air-conditioned glass capsules, each representing one of the boroughs of London. The London Eye capsules are numbered 1 to 33 - but exclude the number 13 for superstitious reasons. Each capsule holds up to 25 passengers, who can enjoy a slow, 30-minute rotation offering panoramic views of the city, including famous landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The London Eye is now managed by Merlin Entertainments, a leading global attractions operator that also runs popular sites such as the London Dungeon, Madame Tussauds and the Sea Life Aquarium. Under Merlin’s management, the Eye has become more than just a ride; it offers special experiences like private capsule hire, champagne flights, and themed events throughout the year. Visitors are drawn to the London Eye not only for its breathtaking views but also for its engineering marvel. It remains the UK’s most popular paid tourist attraction, welcoming millions of visitors annually. Whether it’s day or night, a ride on the London Eye provides an unforgettable perspective of one of the world’s greatest cities. Since 2020, the wheel has been sponsored by lastminute.com, and is lit at night with their famous pink flamingo colour branding.