London Eye | London

London Eye (Millennium Wheel) is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames.

Visual Characteristics

A 135-meter tall steel structure featuring 32 climate-controlled glass passenger capsules. Each capsule represents one of the London boroughs. It is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, supported by an A-frame on only one side.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB.

Transit: 5-minute walk from Waterloo station (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines) or Westminster station (Circle, District, and Jubilee lines).

Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Admission: Approximately £25.50 – £45.00 depending on the ticket type (Standard vs. Fast Track). Online pre-booking is mandatory.

Historical Origin

Designed by architects Julia Barfield and David Marks. It was opened in 2000 to celebrate the millennium. Originally intended as a temporary five-year attraction, its immense popularity led to it being granted permanent status in 2002.

Key Highlights & Activities

The View: Offers 360-degree panoramic views extending up to 40km (25 miles) on clear days, including Windsor Castle.

Rotational Speed: Moves at a slow pace of 26 cm (10 inches) per second, allowing passengers to step on and off without the wheel stopping.

Private Capsules: Available for booking for special events, including dining and champagne experiences.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Fully wheelchair accessible. Each capsule can accommodate up to 25 people and features internal seating and air conditioning. The ticket office and 4D Cinema Experience are located in the adjacent County Hall building. 5G signal is excellent.

Best Time to Visit

Sunset: For views of the city transitioning from daylight to night illumination.

Clear Winter Mornings: Often provide the best long-distance visibility.

Facts & Legends

Technical Oddity: There is no capsule numbered 13 for superstitious reasons; the capsules are numbered 1–12 and 14–33.

Weight: Each capsule weighs 10 tonnes, equivalent to the weight of 1,052,631 pound coins.

Nearby Landmarks

Sea Life London Aquarium – 0.1km South

Big Ben & Houses of Parliament – 0.4km West (across Westminster Bridge)

Southbank Centre – 0.3km Northeast

The London Dungeon – 0.1km South