Offering incredible views across the sprawling London metropolis, a trip to the top of the London Eye will give visitors a bird’s eye view of the rich geography the city and allow them to orientate themselves in its midst. See the winding River Thames immediately beneath your feet, and follow it back all the way west to Windsor Castle nearly 40 kilometres away, which you’ll be able to see from the top of the wheel on a sunny day.
Join the 3.5 million visitors who come for a ride on the Eye each year. Each state-of-the art pod has built-in air conditioning to guarantee a comfortable journey. Rising at its highest point to 135 metres above ground, the Eye reigns as the largest observation wheel in Europe, as well as Britain’s most popular paid visitor attraction.
Opened at the start of the millennium, the Eye has become an icon of the cityscape, not least because of its recognisability from many recent famous films set in the city as well as from its prominent role as the backdrop to London’s annual New Year celebrations and fireworks.
A standard ticket will buy you one rotation of the wheel, lasting 30 minutes. See how many famous landmarks of the city you can spot and see all the sights from a new perspective. If you take a trip later in the day, you may even be rewarded with a captivating view of the setting sun as it goes down over the city.
After you disembark, take to the water and head down the Thames on one of the riverboats or take a quick walk across Westminster Bridge to the Houses of Parliament and beyond.
The London Eye is conveniently located on the South Bank of the Thames in Jubilee Gardens, just five minutes on foot from Waterloo tube station. Bear in mind you may have to wait to get on board, so booking tickets online in advance is advisable.