The London eye – the best view of London | United Kingdom
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Few structures define a city skyline quite like the London Eye. Rising 135 metres above the South Bank of the River Thames, this giant Ferris wheel has become one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world since it opened in 2000. Designed to mark the new millennium, the Eye was never intended to be a permanent fixture, but its soaring popularity ensured it stayed. Today it welcomes over 3.5 million visitors each year, making it the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. From its 32 capsules, passengers enjoy a breathtaking 30-minute rotation that reveals London’s ancient and modern architecture in a single sweeping panorama.
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The London Skyline is one that is known all over the World with ancient buildings such as the Tower of London and the Palace of Westminster instantly recognisable. While new modern tourist destinations such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi appear the fashionable choice, with Dubai Hotels among the most grand in the world, there is still a certain historical charm about the ancient Skyline of London.
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Having said that a relatively new kid on the block has already firmly established itself as one of London’s most recognisable landmarks among its elder neighbours and is also now a top tourist attraction. I am, of course, talking about the London Eye.
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A Closer Look at the Capsules and the Ride Experience
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Each of the 32 capsules on the London Eye represents one of the 32 boroughs of London and is numbered accordingly. The capsules are fully enclosed and air-conditioned, making the ride comfortable in every season. Unlike traditional Ferris wheels that suspend passengers in open gondolas, the Eye’s capsules are spacious ovoid structures offering 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass. A single revolution takes approximately 30 minutes at a steady pace, slow enough to allow you to photograph every landmark and fast enough to keep the experience engaging. On a clear day, visibility can extend as far as 40 kilometres, taking in Windsor Castle to the west and the Thames Estuary to the east. The ride is so smooth that you barely notice the movement; the city below simply seems to rotate into view as you rise. Evening rides are particularly popular, as the city lights begin to flicker on across the sprawling metropolitan landscape.
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Year-Round Events and Special Occasions
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The London Eye plays a central role in the city’s annual calendar of events. Every New Year’s Eve, the structure becomes the focal point of London’s fireworks display, with thousands of rockets launched from the Eye itself as midnight strikes. The capsules are also used to mark royal celebrations, sporting victories, and national milestones. During the 2012 Olympic Games, the Eye was illuminated in the colours of the Olympic rings, and it has been lit in red, white, and blue for royal weddings and jubilees. The Eye also participates in the London Design Festival and other cultural events, occasionally hosting art installations within its capsules. For visitors, the experience can be enhanced with champagne or private capsules, making it a popular choice for proposals and celebrations. The attraction is wheelchair accessible, and each capsule can accommodate up to 25 people, though standard tickets allow for a comfortable, uncrowded experience.
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London Eye is located at the western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the South Bank of the River Thames between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge. When it was built in 1999 to mark the millennium it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, though it now has to be content with being the tallest wheel in Europe after the Star of Nanchang (2006) and Singapore Flyer (2008) were subsequently built.
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London Eye is now the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, with more than 3.5million visitors per year. It contains 32 air conditioned capsules with one complete revolution taking about 30 minutes. It offers visitors an awe inspiring view of the city of London, which can help you get your bearing if you are planning on an extended stay in the City.
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London Eye also plays a central role to the City’s New Year celebrations, with hundreds of fireworks flying off the structure on the stroke of midnight. It is also decorated to mark special occasions such as the recent Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
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So if you are planning your trip to England’s capital, make sure you have booked you place on a top tourist attraction, the London Eye.
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View The London eye – the best view of London United Kingdom in a larger map
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Would you take a spin on the London Eye for the best skyline views? 🗼
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