The city of London is a remarkable destination with hundreds of exciting attractions to choose from. One of the most popular is the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel that is located just on the bank of the River Thames in the heart of the city. As the tallest Ferris wheel in all of Europe and one of the tallest structures in the city of London, it offers passengers an unparalleled view of the city from above. Read on to get a better idea of the London Eye's impressive history, where to find it, how to tailor the experience and reasons that travelers may want to enjoy a ride.
Among the most popular attractions in London, the London Eye is actually relatively new. The structure was only designed and constructed in the 1990s, with the formal opening led by Tony Blair in March of 2000. The Ferris wheel, also called an observation wheel, boasts 32 pods for passengers. Since the opening of the London Eye, it has been rebranded several times due to various investors. It was originally known as the British Airways London Eye, then as the Merlin Entertainments London Eye and today, the EDF Energy London Eye.
Despite its height of more than 400 feet, travelers need to know where to find the London Eye. It is situated on the South Bank of the Thames River, and there are many signs directing visitors to the area. Keep your eyes up to spot the enormous Ferris Wheel, which is conveniently just a short walk from the Waterloo Underground Station. Although driving to the London Eye is possible, traffic in this area of the city can be difficult. It is recommended that visitors instead park just outside of the city and take public transport to the London Eye.
It should not come as a surprise to learn that the most common reason to ride the London Eye is for the chance to get a breathtaking aerial view over much of London. There are roughly 20 passengers that ride in each glass pod, which takes anywhere from 30 to 35 minutes to complete one full rotation around the wheel. This is an incredible experience that won't soon be forgotten, and it is a great way to familiarize yourself with London before enjoying all of the other attractions the city has to offer.
