London Eye

I've been on it several times, including a corporate visit. Then we were together in a work/social setting, so slightly reserved in terms of being wowed by the views.

However, my favourite experience was just after the lockdown ended in August 2020. Booking online was easy, and there was a bit more security on the day, but it was expected, given the circumstances we were experiencing. I hesitated because of the virus, but the experience and cleanliness were excellent.

The welcome was great, and the process was seamless, too. Each visit is timed, and you can choose your preference when booking. We turned up to an empty capsule. The maximum capacity is 25. It would have just been two of us, but we were joined by a third person at the last second.

10 Facts

Here are 10 facts about the Lastminute.com London Eye:

1. Height and Structure - The London Eye is 135 meters tall, making it the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel, supported by an A-frame on one side.

2. Opening and Purpose - Opened to the public in 2000, it was built to celebrate the millennium, originally named the Millennium Wheel.

3. Capsules - It features 32 climate-controlled, sealed glass capsules, each representing one of London’s boroughs, numbered 1 to 33 (skipping 13 due to superstition)

4. Rotation and Views - A single rotation takes about 30 minutes, offering 360-degree views of London, with sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and on clear days, Windsor Castle, up to 40 km away.

5. Visitor Numbers - It attracts over 3 million visitors annually, making it the UK’s most popular paid tourist attraction.

6. Sponsorship - Originally sponsored by British Airways, it has been the lastminute.com London Eye since 2020, with past sponsors including EDF Energy and Coca-Cola.

7. Special Capsule - One capsule is named the Coronation Capsule, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 2013.

8. Romantic Appeal - The Eye has hosted over 5,000 marriage proposals and 500 weddings since 2001, often booked for private pod experiences.

9. Engineering Feat - Designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, its components were sourced from across Europe, with capsules made in France and the spindle cast in the Czech Republic.

10. Lighting and Events - Equipped with LED lights since 2006, it changes colours for events like royal weddings or New Year’s Eve, when it serves as the focal point for London’s fireworks.

Just Wow

It doesn't matter how often you go on the wheel; it's a great experience. The wheel goes around at a leisurely pace, and as a result, you appreciate many beautiful sights, including The Palace of Westminster, the River Thames, many bridges, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's, and so many more.

The journey was 30 minutes, and it felt sufficient. Any more, and you might lose the wow; any less, you'd feel cheated.

For more details or to book tickets, visit the official lastminute.com London Eye website.

https://www.londoneye.com/tickets-and-prices/

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