The London Eye
Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State, and now London has the London Eye - an extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world’s largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes! Combine your flight on the Eye with a 40 minute circular cruise on the Thames. Departing from the London Eye pier the commentary takes you from the Houses of Parliament to the Tower of London and back to the London Eye.The world’s largest observation wheel is 135 metres high. It provides a 30-minute, slow-moving ‘flight’ over London. Designed to reflect the elements of air, water, earth and time - the central theme is a circle of white light from within the rim which sweeps the skyline at 135 metres. The passenger capsules signifying ‘time’, is lit internally at the point of embarcation. Each high-tech capsule accommodating up to 25 people. The attraction has the capacity to handle 1,500 visitors every hour. The British Airways London Eye is a privately funded venture between British Airways, the Tussauds Group and London architects David Marks and Julia Barfield.
For anyone looking to get great panoramic views of London, the Eye is the best option available and if you go on it on a clear day you can see for up to 25 miles. Attached to the wheel are 32 glass capsules and because they’re on the outside of the wheel the views are unobstructed. Each can carry 25 people comfortably, there’s a wooden bench in the middle to sit on but being all glass it can get a bit warm in there on a hot day
The price of London Eye tickets start at 13.00 pounds (approximately US $23.00) and children under five get in free. The Fast Track flight is a once around flight and with a brief overview of London. The Discover flights include a tour guide and the Champagne flights offer champagne and a more formal way to see London. You may also hire a private capsule for 375 pounds. So take the time to enjoy a flight in the London Eye and see for yourself how beautiful and remarkable London’s scenery can be.
Design and construction
Designed by architects David Marks, Julia Barfield, Malcolm Cook, Mark Sparrowhawk, Steven Chilton and Nic Bailey, the wheel carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned passenger capsules attached to its external circumference. Each capsule holds approximately 25 people, who are free to walk around inside the capsule, though seating is also provided. It rotates at 26 cm (10 in) per second (about 0.9 km/h (0.5mph) so that one revolution takes about 30 minutes. The wheel does not usually stop to take on passengers: the rotation rate is so slow that they can easily walk on and off the moving capsules at ground level. It is, however, stopped to allow disabled or elderly passengers time to embark and disembark safely.
Getting There
Nearest Tube: The nearest stations are Westminster (Exit 1 Westminster Pier) and Waterloo, which are both within 5 minutes walking distance.
From Waterloo mainline station, take exit 6 for the South Bank and follow the signs.
Buses: Bus routes to the British Airways London Eye include the 211, 24 and 11, and we are on most London Sightseeing tour bus routes.
Train: Waterloo International Station & Charing Cross Station
Car: We would advise customers against driving to the British Airways London Eye. If however you do decide to drive, there are 3 car parks at the South Bank Centre, accessible from Belvedere Road. These are Hungerford Bridge, The Hayward Gallery and the National Theatre car parks.
