Visiting London, one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities in the world is exciting. You are determined to take in all the sights of London and make it a trip to remember. Even before receiving your UK Visa, you would have researched, made an itinerary, and planned each detail of your London visit. In your list of palaces, museums, opera houses, theatres, historic buildings, etc. have you included the London Eye?
Fun and Interesting Facts about London Eye
Let us look at the fun facts about the London Eye that will surely tempt you to include this iconic structure in your itinerary.
What is the London Eye?
The London Eye, earlier called the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel. It is Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and one of the best places to visit in London. It offers one of the highest public viewing points in London. There are 32 observation pods or capsules mounted on the wheel to carry passengers. The 32 passenger capsules or pods correspond to the 32 boroughs that constitute Greater London. Each capsule can seat 25 passengers and always remains upright as the wheel turns. The wheel turns extremely slowly and does not need to stop for passengers to board or alight.
Where is it located and how to reach there?
The Eye is less than five minutes-walk from Waterloo Station, situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Lambeth. Charing Cross, Embankment, and Westminster are other stations that are also quite nearby. It is directly opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You can also take bus numbers 211, 77 or 381, that ply to London Eye. Explore the South Bank and find fun activities to do near London Eye, such as taking a Thames river cruise or going to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium.
What can you view from the London Eye?
Once you board a pod of the London Eye, be prepared to have a marvelous time. On the 30-minute ride, you have the multilingual guides point out the details of the spectacular view of the city. You can see Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben, among others. Soar high over these famous landmarks. Enjoy the stunning 360-degree views of the city. You can see up to 40km out of the city to Windsor Castle on a clear day. Another major attraction is a 4D show that forms a part of your London Eye experience. The Eye is lit up in various colors to mark special occasions like red, white, and blue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Some tips to enjoy the London Eye
You get a lot of good deals if you book your tickets online and can avoid long queues at the ticket booth. You also get a discount of 20% if you book online. Avoid the rush hours from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to have a better time with less crowd. To take good selfies get as close to the glass to avoid the glare from the sun. Plan your trip here so that you can also visit the nearby attractions like the Belvedere Road County Hall Chamber which has the show “Witness for the Prosecution” by Agatha Christie playing there. This show has received fantastic reviews. Visit Whitehall and see No. 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister. Or visit the London Dungeon, County Hall London, etc.
VIP experiences available on the London Eye
Private pods are available for hire and you can have your guests. You should confirm the number of guests you can invite before hiring the private pod. You can serve champagne or canapés on board for your guests. And you can also enjoy the 4D cinema experience. Make your proposal to your beloved very special by arranging it in the proposal pod. Invite a few close people and enjoy music and champagne. If you want to spend a special day with the love of your life, do it in Cupid’s pod. Have a wonderful ride with champagne or chocolates served aboard.
Celebrate birthdays or weddings too on the London Eye. Birthdays turn special with cupcakes and champagne and the company of your near and dear ones. You cannot get a better backdrop for a wedding than the stunning 360-degree view of London. Also available on the London Eye is the Dinner experience where you can have an unforgettable dinner in a pod high above the ground. Private and Corporate events too can be organized aboard the capsules.
It Was Not London’s Foremost Big Wheel
Despite being London’s most famed big wheel; this is not definitely the first one. This had been a 40-car Ferris Wheel at Earl’s Court which had been made for the Empire of India Exhibition. This wheel had been modelled on the original Ferris Wheel of Chicago that was made open for the public on 17th of July, 1895. It had been 94 meters tall and 82.3 meters in diameter and stood until 1906 in Earl’s Court when the Imperial Austrian Exhibition had taken place. The cars in the 11 years carried upwards of about 2.5 million passengers.
It is Europe’s Tallest Ferris Wheel
The London Eye today is Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel. However, at one point of time, this had been the tallest the world over. Being 443 feet tall, it is now the world’s 4th tallest Ferris whee,l after the High Roller in Las Vegas, the Singapore Flyer, & Star of Nanchang. The London Eye at one point in time had been London’s topmost public viewing point, this title however was claimed on the 1st of February, 2013 by Shard’s 72nd floor.
London’s Boroughs Representation
How many pods are there on the London Eye? The London Eye comprises 32 capsules with each representing one of the 32 boroughs. Regardless of this, these capsules have not been numbered in a manner that one may think of. With number 13 regarded as being unlucky, the 13th capsule is missing. Rather they have been numbered from 1-12 and 14-33. Throughout Britain, this is a common norm, with the majority of restaurants not having the number 13. This is amid the vital London Eye facts.
It Contains a Royal Capsule
One of the 32 capsules is royal. On June 2, 2013, one capsule was christened the Coronation Capsule in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her 60th year in power.
London Eye is not its Sole Name
Though the majority is familiar with the name London Eye, it also has another name, the Millennium Wheel. Over the years, likewise, it received several other official names to pay respect to its countless owners and sponsors. It was for instance, initially called British Airways London Eye, followed by Merlin Entertainments London Eye, & EDF Energy London Eye. As of January 2015, the London Eye has been officially referred to as Coca-Cola London Eye, although hardly anyone calls it by this name.
Lights of London Eye
The London Eye had lit up the sky on innumerable occasions to commemorate special occasions. Varying from blue, white, and red honored Kate & Prince William’s nuptial to pink that in 2005 commemorated the gay civil partnership’s legalization, the London Eye grabs the British people’s feelings through colorful lights. These lights were changed to LED in December 2006, thereby paving the way for the digital control of these lights. A captivating feature that sets the London Eye apart from other Ferris wheels worldwide is that it is cantilevered, meaning it is supported on only one side. Wheels having similar structures comprise the new Orlando Eye in Orlando that was inaugurated this summer.
Runs on Biodegradable Oil
Taking into consideration the mammoth moving structure, it needs oil in plenty. All the oil used in London Eye is indeed biodegradable which means it is safe for the surroundings. This is especially crucial with Thames just beneath it. Not only this, the cleaning too is done using biodegradable oil.
Promotes Environmental Awareness
In 2010, the London Eye hosted a special Earth Hour event to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Sheer Number of Accolades and Awards
Between 2000-2012, the London Eye received over 30 awards for various things including the best experiences, rides, attractions, and architecture. This highlights the London Eye’s immense popularity and why is one of the most visited London an attraction. If you wish to know how many people visit the London Eye every year, well it is about 3.75 million people.
A Building That Is Continuously Updated for Security and Efficiency
Continuous maintenance is necessary to maintain this famous landmark and guarantee its functionality and safety. For this reason, like Ship of Theseus, many of the original components from its construction in 2000 have been renovated or replaced.
Converted into a One-Night Rotating Nightclub
In 2013, the London Eye was converted into a spinning nightclub for a single evening. Prominent members of the UK music scene performed inside the 30-member capsule at this one-of-a-kind event, which was sponsored by Red Bull Music Academy. Performers included Richie Hawtin, Mark Ronson, and Lily Allen.
Over 5000 proposals and more than 500 weddings have been held at the wheel
With more than 3 million visits annually, the London Eye is one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the UK. More than 5,000 marriage proposals have taken place there, making it symbolic of romantic moments. More than 500 marriages have also been held there since the first event in 2001.
By now you may have understood why the London Eye attracts nearly four million visitors every year which is even more than the Taj Mahal or the Pyramids of Giza. No wonder so many celebrities like Matt Damon, Kate Moss, and Jessica Alba love it. It does not matter whether you visit during the day to see the spectacular far-reaching view or the night to enjoy the city lights.
The fact is that a ride on the London Eye is an indispensable experience on your London trip. From the London Eye, venture to Brighton for an exciting day trip and explore things to do in Brighton, like its vibrant pier and charming lanes.
To wrap up your London Eye experience, consider a London Thames river sightseeing. It maximizes your viewing experience and offers a serene and scenic journey along the river, making for an unforgettable London adventure.