London Eye Facts

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom. Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, this giant observation wheel offers unmatched views of the London skyline.

- Opened: March 2000

- Height: 135 meters (443 feet)

- Location: South Bank, London

- Visitors: Over 3 million annually

London Eye Height

Standing at 135 meters (443 feet) tall with a diameter of 120 meters (394 feet), the London Eye was the world's tallest Ferris wheel when it opened in 2000, and is currently the largest observation wheel of its kind in Europe.

Capsules

The London Eye features 32 enclosed glass capsules, each representing one of London's 32 boroughs. For superstitious reasons, there is no capsule number 13. Each capsule can hold up to 25 people.

Rotation

The wheel moves at a slow, leisurely pace of about 26 cm per second, taking approximately 30 minutes for a full rotation. This slow speed allows passengers to board and disembark without the wheel needing to stop (unless for disabled or elderly passengers).

Views

From the capsules, visitors get unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of London's iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, and on a clear day, even as far as Windsor Castle (about 40 km or 25 miles away).

Popularity

The London Eye consistently ranks as the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK, drawing over three million visitors annually.

Evolution

Over the years, it has had various official names due to sponsorships, including the British Airways London Eye, EDF Energy London Eye, and currently the lastminute.com London Eye. It also underwent an LED lighting system upgrade in 2006, allowing it to change colors for special occasions.

The London Eye stands as one of London’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of British innovation. Designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, the project began as a competition entry in 1993 to celebrate the new millennium. Construction started in 1998, and the London Eye was officially opened to the public on March 9, 2000, following a spectacular ceremony on New Year’s Eve 1999. Originally intended as a temporary attraction, its overwhelming popularity led to it becoming a permanent fixture on London’s skyline. Today, the London Eye remains the UK’s most visited paid attraction and a global icon of modern engineering and design.

1. Cantilevered Design: Unlike traditional Ferris wheels, the London Eye is supported on only one side by an A-frame, which is why it's referred to as a "cantilevered observation wheel.

2. Favorite for Proposals: Thousands of people have proposed at the top of the London Eye.

3. It Was Once the World's Tallest Ferris Wheel: At 135 meters, the London Eye held the title of the world’s tallest observation wheel until 2006.

4. Wind Resistance: The London Eye can withstand winds of up to 50 mph

5. Rotation Speed: A full rotation takes 30 minutes, moving at just 0.9 km/h - slow enough for uninterrupted views and photos

6. Power: The wheel moves slowly using environmentally friendly electric motors.

7. Capsule weight: Each capsule weighs 10 tonnes!

8. Total Capacity: Up to 800 passengers at a time

9. Popularity: The London Eye receives more visitors per year than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza, making it the UK's most popular paid tourist attraction.

10. Previous London wheels: It wasn't the first "big wheel" in London. The Great Wheel, a 94-meter (308 ft) tall Ferris wheel, operated in Earl's Court from 1895 to 1906.