London Eye

The iconic London Eye is located at the top of the South Bank of the River Thames. Today, it is better known as the Millennium Wheel and has many other informal nicknames, despite its official name. Since the beginning of the London Eye’s construction in 1998, it has been a fixture of the city’s skyline. In 2000, it was officially opened and presented to the public. 

The passengers of the London Eye get an unrivaled experience of the city from an incredible height of 135 meters. The capsules of the London Eye allow you to observe the city’s famous attractions, such as The Shard, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, etc. The Millennium Wheel not only represents hope, courage, and vision, but it is also a monument of international significance. 

The location of the London Eye is on the opposite side of the Houses of Parliament. From there, you can get a stunning view of the city as well as all its most well-known attractions and landmarks.  These include the Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Big Ben. It is no secret that the London Eye is one of the most distinguishable attractions in London due to its unique design and location. 

It is not difficult to locate the London Eye, as it stands close to the County Hall and the South Bank Centre. Moreover, you can reach it by taking a short walk from either the Westminster Bridge, National Theatre, London Aquarium, or other popular attractions (Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace). In short, the London Eye is situated in such a way that allows tourists to simultaneously get a 360° view of the city and investigate numerous other attractions.

As for the history of the London Eye, it was originally erected for the purposes of celebrating the start of the new millennium as well as symbolizing the beginning of the century. It is equally important to note that the London Eye is considered the UK’s most popular attraction. In 1993, the London Eye’s design was put forward by two architects of Marks Barfield architectural company - David Marks and Julia Barfield. Subsequently, between 1998 and 1999, it was brought to life; the construction was financially supported by British Airways. 

Since the time the London Eye was officially opened, it has been referred to by many names, such as the British Airways London Eye, the Coca-Cola London Eye, and the Merlin Entertainments London Eye. Nevertheless, today we know it as the Lastminute.com London Eye. The Millennium Wheel, however, remains the original name of this observation wheel. 

Being one of the tallest Ferris wheels ever, the London Eye allows visitors to experience panoramic views of the city of London. It is worth noting that the London Eye has 32 capsules and each of them can carry 25 people. Furthermore, these capsules have air conditioners inside, as well as glass pods. The latter are also equipped with laminated glass, which was designed by the same French manufacturers responsible for the design of the Poma cable car. In addition, 6 years after its construction, the London Eye now has LED lighting shining all over it. These lights can display many different colors and patterns, which is why the wheel is often lit up when celebrating famous events, especially New Year’s Eve. 

The rides inside the London Eye are calming and relaxing, as the wheel is very secure and meets all safety standards. While riding the London Eye, visitors are given an opportunity to observe a great deal of iconic attractions, for instance, the River Thames, Big Ben, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Besides, this gigantic wheel is also an ideal place to capture all kinds of photos and videos. In general, the London Eye provides you with everything you need to have a great time with your friends, family, or loved ones and is always popular among tourists. 

There are several types of tickets you can purchase to visit the London Eye: 1) fast track entry tickets; 2) multi-attraction tickets. They can be purchased both online from the official website and directly at the ticket office, which can be found near the attraction entrance. However, it is important to remember that ticket prices may change depending on the season. 

Waterloo, the closest tube station to the London Eye, is served by several lines and can be found in Zone 1. If you prefer taking a bus to the destination, then you should target routes 77, 211, and 381. Also, there are multiple rail stations nearby, such as Embankment, Charing Cross, and Westminster. What’s even better is the fact that the London Eye is a great reference point in itself, as it can be seen from anywhere in the city. So even if you get lost you can quickly navigate your way back to it. 

There are plenty of accommodations close to the London Eye. Among the most frequently visited are Marriott County Hall, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, and Hampton By Hilton London Waterloo. Also, the nearby area is filled with various restaurants and has a food market. The Southbank Centre Real Food Market is rather unique. Its independent traders and small producers offer visitors high-quality food and drinks at an affordable price.

Thus, the London Eye is undoubtedly one of the most impressive attractions out there. Its visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the area’s iconic landmarks, which are also in close proximity to Waterloo Station as well as other beloved attractions. Additionally, there are countless hotels nearby as well as food and drink options. The tickets for the London Eye are on an equal footing with those for other attractions in the city, while glass pods with air conditioning and LED lighting ensure that your visit to the London Eye will be an unforgettable experience, no matter the weather conditions.

To conclude, your visit to the London Eye will most certainly be a day to remember thanks to breathtaking views, excellent photo and video capturing opportunities, and a great deal of stuff to do in the area.