Ride the London Eye High Above the Thames

See Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and More

Oct 10, 2009 Pamela Watson

Of the many things to do in London, England, the most exciting is taking a ride on the Millennium Wheel. Offering amazing views, it is one of the best London attractions.

Adjacent to the Thames and towering high above London at 135 meters (about 443 feet), the London Eye, or Millennium Wheel, is one of the tallest structures in England. The brainchild of husband and wife design team David Marks and Julia Barfield, the London Eye was created to celebrate the new millennium and was opened to the public in March 2000. More than a Ferris wheel, it is the largest cantilevered observation wheel in the world.

Although it might seem a bit scary, people who normally shun Ferris wheels usually have no problem riding the London Eye. Each of the 32 glass pods or capsules is fully self-contained with safety bars inside. The floor is solid and passengers may walk around to enjoy the view. A bench in the middle of the capsule is available for those who wish to sit during the ride.

The ride takes about 30 minutes to complete as the wheel rotates at a leisurely six tenths of a mile per hour. On a clear day from the top, it is possible to see as far as 40 kilometers (about 25 miles), which is farther than Heathrow Airport.

See London Attractions from high above the Thames

The London Eye is located across the Thames from the city of Westminster near Westminster Bridge. Many historic London attractions can be spotted during the ride and are pinpointed on a souvenir guide available at the gift shop. Look across the river to see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the government buildings. Try to spot MI5 Headquarters, 10 Downing Street, or the Foreign Office.

Beyond the buildings of Westminster are St. James Park, Green Park and Buckingham Palace. (Is the Queen in residence?) Beyond Buckingham Palace is the famous retail palace of Harrods, as well as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and the museums of Knightsbridge and South Kensington.

In the opposite direction is the old city of London, the skyline a mixture of ancient buildings and modern structures. The domed beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral is mirrored by the glass conical of the Swiss Re tower. Beyond that, another tower, the Tower of London, once promised that those who entered would never leave.

The London Eye offers a variety of in-flight experiences

The standard London Eye flight can be booked in advance or tickets may be purchased upon arrival. Ticket prices are £17.50 for adults and £8.75 for children ages 4 to 15. Children under 4 are free. The flight is fully accessible with a maximum of 25 passengers per capsule.

Special flights are also available such as a champagne flight, a wine tasting flight, a brunch flight or an afternoon tea flight. Private capsules can be booked for everything from a friends’ party to a wedding. Christmas parties are popular for private and corporate outings and in the fall, the Trick or Treat Flight and the Tale of Two Witches Cruise are both popular.

Things to do in London near the London Eye

The London Eye is located in the heart of a revitalized part of London, across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament in a very walkable area. It is next to the Jubilee Gardens, the London Aquarium, and the entertainment center of Old County Hall. Nearby there are many restaurants and pubs.

Within walking distance are such famous London attractions as Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Victoria Embankment and the Imperial War Museum. As Thames river cruise is also a great way to see the sights.

In all, visitors to England looking for things to do in London will find a full day of activities at the London Eye. The London Eye is open daily, year round starting at 10 a.m. For more information, contact the London Eye at +44 (0)870 5000 600.

The copyright of the article Ride the London Eye High Above the Thames in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Pamela Watson. Permission to republish Ride the London Eye High Above the Thames in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

London Eye on the Thames, England	Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster	Buckingham Palace and St. James Park, London
St. Paul's Cathedral and the Swiss Re Tower	London and the Thames