In the space of just 12 years (it opened in March 2000), The EDF Energy London Eye has become a symbol of London innovation and cities around the world have raced to replicate its success.
Taking seven years to create, the Millennium Wheel as it was known when it opened, was designed by David Marks and Julia Barfield, a husband and wife architectural team and at 135 metres, is one of the world’s tallest observation wheels. It is now the UK’s most popular visitor attraction with over 3.75 million customers a year.
You catch glimpses of it from pretty much every vantage point in London. By the Palace of Westminster …
… from the South Bank … from just about every part of Central London, in fact.
Tourist race to have their pictures taken by it …
And there are spectacular views of it from every angle.
Here are five fast facts about one of my all time favourite London attractions:
- You can see around 40 kms (25 miles) from the top on a clear day – sometimes even as far as Windsor Castle.
- There are 800 passengers per revolution, equivalent to 11 London red double decker busses.
- A rotation takes around 30 minutes.
- The weight of the wheel and capsules is 2,100 tonnes or as much as 1,272 London black cabs.
- Kate Moss is the UK celebrity who holds the record for return visits on some 25 occasions with Jessica Alba being the international record holder at 31!
Go on – give it a whirl – I know you want to.
For more information and for bookings, visit http://www.londoneye.com. Each capsule now features new interactive guides with touch screens to allow you to explore the capital’s iconic landmarks. There’s even a free London Eye official app, available for both iPhone and for Android devices. Why not ice-skate in the shadow of the Eye – book tickets for Eyeskate from 17th November 2012 – 6th January 2013.
Contributor and photographer: Sue Lowry
The EDF London Eye is on twitter @TheLondonEye and on Facebook/TheOfficialLondon Eye.
Magellan PR is on twitter: @MagellanPR / on Facebook: MagellanPR / on Pinterest: Sue Lowry / on Google+: Sue Lowry & MagellanPR and on Flickr: Sue Lowry. For more information on our company, visit www.magellan-pr.com. Follow our other blog focussing on travel in the South of England – A3 Traveller.Related articles
magellanstraits 