The London Eye
Viewing Platform and Ride in Westminster
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| London Eye |
The London Eye Official Web Site
Built as part of the year 2000 millennium celebrations, the London Eye seems to have captured the imagination of visitors to London. It is now one the most popular attractions of all.
Essentially the proposition is a very simple one. Ride a giant big wheel 135 metres high taking 30 minutes to travel one revolution.
The London Eye is situated right at the tourist heart of London, (opposite Big Ben by the River Thames) with commanding views, (25 miles on a good day).
You ride in a luxurious capsule in comfort. The jury is out on whether this major new landmark is a welcome addition to the London skyline or just an eyesore.
The attraction was originally sponsored by British Airways, so rides are called flights. The eye is besides the River Thames on the opposite bank to Big Ben.
Each capsule rotates on a special device designed to keep everyone upright as the wheel makes a slow but progressive revolution.
Each capsule is also fully air-conditioned to keep its visitors completely comfortable no matter what the temperature outside. See the Gothic houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The Tate Museum, Tower Bridge and not to mention the longest and most intricately styled stretches of the famous Thames River.
The London Eye is a victim of its own success. Turn up on the day and you will have to queue and wait.
The area is crowded and heavily littered with fast food rubbish. Best book in advance.
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| Big Ben Stands Opposite London Eye |
The London Eye is a victim of its own success. Turn up on the day and you will have to queue and wait.
The area is crowded and heavily littered, there is a McDonalds adjacent plus hot dog/ice cream vendors.
Best book in advance.
The London Eye is by Westminster Bridge on the other side of the river to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
The booking office is in the adjacent County Hall building, at one time home of London's governing body. County Hall also houses two hotels and two other minor attractions - The London Aquarium and Dali Exhibition.
There is a spacious patch of grass by the London Eye which would be nice on a good day if it wasn't so crowded, there wasn't so much rubbish and fast food vendors selling overpriced merchandise.
London Eye Key Facts
- The flight lasts 30 minutes in all
- There is a maximum of 28 people in each capsule
- There is no commentary
- Only small bags allowed aboard
- You cannot bring food and drink aboard of your own
- If you book online in advance there is a discount
- Your ticket will have a departure time
- For the standard (cheapest) ticket you need to arrive 30 minutes prior
- For the standard (cheapest) ticket allow at least 10 minutes to collect tickets
- For Fast Track & Champagne tickets you need to arrive 30 minutes prior
London Eye Admission Charges
Prices are very complicated.
The cheapest flights are standard flights which will probably mean you'll probably spend more time waiting around prior than experiencing the flight itself.
There are various other flights that provide fast track entry, champagne flights and combo's with cruises and other attractions (the people who run the London Eye also run Madame Tussaud's).
Best order tickets in advance from the official web site (link at top of page)
Opening Times :
10:00 to 20:00 (21:00/21:30 June to September)
Getting To The London Eye
Westminster Underground station is opposite the London Eye on the other side of Westminster Bridge.
Waterloo Station is equally close, but the walk from Westminster Station is an excursion in itself starting opposite Big Ben and walking across the River Thames.
The walk from Waterloo by contrast is a bit urban and run down.
The very popular hop on, hop off London tour buses also stop at The London Eye.
The London Eye is by Westminster Bridge, that crosses over to Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. At Westminster Pier scheduled river boats ply the River Thames.
Most popular/frequent route is to the Tower of London, but you can go as far as Hampton Court during the summer months.
| Self Guided London Icons Walk Including London Eye | |
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Join us on our step by step self guided walking tour of London's main tourist icons. The walk includes Big Ben, London Eye, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and much, much more. Its a circular walk so you can join and leave it at many places along the way, including Buckingham Palace. Simple to follow instructions and street map and best of all its FREE! |
 Buckingham Palace Viewed From The Lake In St James Park |
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