London Eye Facts

 

The London Eye is on the symbols of the Britain’s capital, and it is a must to visit it during your stay in London. The giant Ferris wheel can be admired on the south side of the Thames River, close to the famous Big Ben. The wheel is also known as the Millennium Wheel.

The London eye is 135 meters tall, and it has a diameter of 120 meters. When it was built, in 1999, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. It offers great views over London, and it is a must for every tourist. I have to admit: before seeing it with my own eyes, I wasn’t so excited about trying it. But once you are in London, and you see the giant wheel, you understand it is a must do thing, and I promise, you won’t regret it.

Now, let’s see the most interesting 10 London Eye Facts:

1. The London Eye offers the best views over the city. As I said before, it is 135 meters tall, which allows its passengers to admire the city about 25 miles away. For example, in a sunny day, with no clouds, you will be able to see the Windsor Castle. This makes the London Eye one of the highest platforms in London, and also the tallest building in the city. You will never forget the views you will see here!
2. Every year, around three and a half million people, including tourists and London residents, go on the London Eye. It means the London Eye receives more visitors than the Great Pyramids of Giza or the Taj Mahal in India. The giant wheel can carry 800 passengers on every revolution. This is one of the London Eye facts that surprised me!
3. The London Eye has 32 capsules around its wheel, one for each borough of London. A capsule weighs 10 tones, which means the entire wheel weights 320 tones. Each capsule can carry 25 passengers, and I was really surprised that we are able to walk around in the capsule; they are that big. Also, the capsules have air-condition, and comfortable sits.
4. The 32 capsules of the London Eye are actually numbered from 1 to 33. I didn’t understand at the beginning, but then, the nice man at the entrance explained me that the number 13 is left out, for the good luck of the observation wheel. Quite funny!

5. A complete rotation of the London Eye takes 30 minutes; the capsules travel with a chill pace of 26 centimeters per second, and the wheel doesn’t stop for the passengers to step in and out.
6. Other interesting London Eye facts say about it that it is not a Ferris wheel, but the world’s highest cantilevered observation wheel, and that its predecessor was The Great Wheel, which was in use between 1895 and 1906. After being used by more than two million people, the Great Wheel was demolished in 1907.
7. The London Eye is the main point of the famous London’s New Year’s Eve firework show. Last year, it was light up in the colors of the British flag, the Union Jack, in red, white, and blue, in order to celebrate the wedding of Prince William with Kate Middleton. Usually, the London Eye is light up in blue, but in 2005, it was lit pink, to celebrate the first Civil Partnership performed on it.
8. We really enjoy riding the London Eye, but how many people know it took 7 year to be contrasted, and some of the most famous architects in the world designed it, including Daivd Marks, Mark Sparrowhawk, and Julia Barfield. It is one of the must known London Eye facts!

9. When you will ride the London Eye, do not be ashamed to ask the people who work there for facts about the London Eye. For example, they’ve told me that Kate Moss, one of London’s most iconic VIPs, has been on the London Eye 25 times; and that is the record for a celebrity from the United Kingdom.
10. From 2000 to 2012, the London Eye won more than 30 awards, for the best ride, best attraction, experience, design, and many more.

These are the coolest top 10 London Eye facts, but I am sure there are many more facts about the London Eye. Discover them by yourself during your visit in London!

Tips to visit the London Eye

If you are convinced to visit the London Eye, here are some small tips for you:

• The London Eye is very close to the famous Big Ben, so visit both in the same day!

• The tickets for the London Eye are quite expensive: £29.50 per person, but you can save 10% if you buy them online.
• There are family tickets, for two grown-ups and two children, for £118.00.
• The first ride is at 10.00 in the morning, but the closing times depend of the time of the last rotation.
• You can even have a small party or a cocktail in a private capsule, if your budget allows you that.

I hope all these London Eye facts helped you to plan your next visit to London, and decided if you want to ride it or not. Have fun!