Things To Do In London: A Guide To The London Eye

The All Seeing Eye

Photo credit: Larry Johnson via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

You cannot miss the London Eye as it towers above you on the South Bank of the River Thames.

There it sits, a giant Ferris wheel that takes you on a magic carpet ride above one of the most famous cities on earth.

You rise above the streets and looking down begin to trace the River Thames as it snakes through the heart of the great city. You see the landmarks you first hear of as a child and that define London in the eyes of the world: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's, Westminster Cathedral, London Zoo, Wembley Stadium, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, the Olympic Stadium, the Shard...

Photo credit: Martie Swart (martie1swart) via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

As the Eye moves on its circular journey you realise you cannot feel the movement, nor sense the distance you are travelling. You are moving, you know you are, you can sense it. Ten minutes ago you were over there and now you are over here; but you cannot somehow seem to measure it.
Your elegant progression in your metal "pod" seems to have phased you into a parallel universe where the shifting sands of time seem to both move and not to move. The cars, trains and stick people in the little world below move like insects along their preordained paths. But you, silent in your world, remain still. Watching and waiting until time begins again and you will have to rejoin the land of the mere mortals.

Photo credit: Miguel Mendez via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

It is the experience that has begun to define London.

It is the experience of London.

It is truly the all seeing Eye.

What is the London Eye?

Photo credit: Rocky Lubbers (Rocpoc) via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

The London Eye is a huge Ferris wheel that is situated in the middle of London on the South Bank of the River Thames across the river from the Houses of Parliament. It's revolving capsules offers fantastic views of the city.

Eye Facts

Photo credit: Greg Knapp via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

The Eye is 135 metres - 443 ft - tall
It is 120 metres - 394 ft wide
On average 3.75 million people visit the Eye each year
There are 32 "pods" or capsules on the Eye. Each capsule represents one of London's Boroughs
Each capsule can carry 25 people
Top speed is 0.6 mph
A complete rotation takes 30 minutes. A trip on the Eye is one rotation.
The Eye does not stop to let passengers on and off. It continues moving slowly enough to allow visitors to walk on and off at ground level while it is still in motion.

Photo credit: Maurice via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

Since 9th March 2000 the London Eye has taken over 30 million people for a slow spin. It was officially opened by Tony Blair on New Year's Eve 1999, but did not open to the public until the following march due to safety concerns.

How Far Can I See?

On a clear day you can see for up to 25 miles, which is all the way to Windsor Castle.

And What Can I See?

Photo credit: Shellmush via Flickr. CC BY 2.0

Big Ben
Houses of Parliament
Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey
London Zoo
Post Office Tower
St. Paul's Cathedral
Tower Bridge
London Bridge
Canary Wharf
Olympic Park
Wembley Stadium
Windsor Castle
The Shard

London Eye Ticket Prices as at March 2013

Ticket Type Price Conditions

____________________________________________________________

Standard Ticket* Adult - £19.20 (16+) 30 minutes on the Eye

Child - £12.30 (4-15) Standard admission on

Family of 4** - £63.00 specified date and time

____________________________________________________________

Flexi Standard Ticket Adult -£20.28 30 minutes on the Eye

(online only) Child - £14.07 Flexible admission on the

Family of 4** - £61.80 day of your choice

____________________________________________________________

Fast Track Ticket* Adult - £29.16 30 minutes on the Eye

Child - £29.16 Fast Track priority boarding

Family of 4** - £116.64 on specified date and time

_____________________________________________________________

Flexi Fast Track Adult - £31.75 30 minutes on the Eye

(online only) Child - £31.75 Fast Track priority boarding

Family of 4** - £126.96 Flexible admission on the

day of your choice

______________________________________________________________

Fully Flexi versions of these tickets are also available which allow you flexible admission on the week of your choice

*Discounts of 10%-20% available online

**A family of 4 comprises of two adults (16+) and two children (under 16)

Children under 4 travel free
Fast Track Tickets allow you to jump the long lines of people
Tickets may be purchased or collected from the Box Office on site, bought online or ordered by phone on +44 (0) 871 781 3000
The Eye offers full facilities for disabled visitors. To book tickets or make an inquiry call +44 (0) 871 222 1888

Photo credit: Joanna Penn (The Creative Penn) via Flickr. CC By 2.0

In this writer's opinion prices for the London Eye are extremely complicated and difficult to understand. In light of the fact that a trip on the Eye can be a large expense the best way to get the best deal is to ring the Box Office and ask a real person some questions about what would be the best deal for you.

Ask how busy they are, as a Fast Track Ticket can cost twice as much as a Standard Ticket, but is a complete waste of money if the Eye is not too busy and the lines are small.

Special Experience Tickets

A range of special experience tickets are available, including Champagne, Afternoon Tea, Vinopolis Wine Tasting and Night Experiences.

London Eye Opening Hours 2013

Photo Credit: Tom Soper (Tom Soper Photography).
CC BY 2.0

21st January - 28th March. 10.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs
1st April - 14th April. 10.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs
15th April - 27th June. 10.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs
28th June - 31st August. 10.00hrs to 21.30 hrs
1st September - 31st December. 10.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs

Christmas and New Year Exceptions:

Dec 24th. Shuts at 17.30 hrs
Dec 25th. Closed
Dec 31st. Shuts at 15.00 hrs

How to get to the London Eye

Photo credit: Tammy Lo (tammylo) via Flickr. CC By 2.0

The London Eye is located on the South Bank of the River Thames on the other side from the Houses of Parliament at the bottom end of Jubilee Gardens. You will find the ticket office inside County Hall (next to the Eye). The address is:

The EDF London Eye
Riverside Building
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7PB

You can get to the Eye on foot from either Waterloo, Westminster, Embankment or Charring Cross Underground Stations.
It is on the following Bus routes - 77, 211 and 381.You can also get there by River Boat from many locations including: O2, Tower Bridge, Docklands and Greenwich.

Enjoy your Meal

There are some great dining packages offered by the London Eye that combine a trip on the Eye with a great meal out before or after. Check out the great deals at fantastic local restaurants such as Skylon and Ping Pong Dim Sum.

Private Capsule

Photo credit: Ewen Roberts (ewen and donabel) via Flickr. CC BY 2.0
All aboard for the trip of a lifetime!

You can book a private capsule from £300 upwards. What a great way to propose to your fiance, celebrate an anniversary or hold a children's party.

Eyes Wide Open

Since the London Eye opened in 2000, two other Ferris Wheels have come along to steal its crown as the largest wheel in the world.

The 160 metre (525 ft) Star of Nangchang, which is located in the Chinese city of Nangchang and opened in May 2006.
The 165 metre (541 ft) Singapore Flyer, which is located in the Republic of Singapore and opened in March 2008.

Eyes Wide Shut

The following Ferris wheel projects have all stalled or been abandoned:

The 208 metre (652ft) Beijing Great Wheel
The 185 metre (607ft) Great Dubai Wheel
The 183 metre (600 ft) Voyager in Las Vegas
The 176 metre (577ft) Bangkok Eye
The 175 metre (574ft) Great Berlin Wheel
The 167.6 metre (550ft) High Roller in Las Vegas

The Great Wheel

Photo credit: Public Domain EU (PD-UK-unknown)
and US (PD-1923) via Wikimedia Commons

The London Eye is not the first giant Ferris Wheel to take people on a ride above London. In 1895 the Great Wheel, built to celebrate the Empire of India Exhibition, opened to the public at Earl's Court. Rising up to an impressive 94 metres (308 ft) the Great Wheel continued revolving until 1906 by which time it had carried over 2.5 million passengers. It was demolished the following year.