The London Eye
The capital city’s famous “big wheel”
The London Eye is the World’s tallest observation wheel at 135 metres (440 feet), making it the fourth highest construction in London. It stands right next to the River Thames, alongside the former County Hall and very close to the South Bank complex of theatres and art galleries.
It offers a perfect opportunity to view London “at a glance”, with the whole city laid out beneath you. You might find a pair of binoculars helpful, and you’ll really kick yourself if you forget your camera!
The Eye revolves at a steady 0.6 miles an hour, so a complete revolution takes about 30 minutes. You travel in one of 32 capsules that gives you an all-round view of London. You can stand or sit, or take in the experience from your wheelchair. The wheel keeps going all the time, but slowly enough for you to step on and off in perfect safety.
The Eye was opened for business in March 2000, originally as a temporary structure to mark the Millennium. However, it has proved to be so popular that it has stayed put, and it now carries about 3.5 million passengers every year. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was supposed to be temporary, too!
What can you see?
The Eye revolves from east to west, so your first views are towards the east, and London’s business…