London Eye

The London Eye opened to the public in 2000 and was built in celebration of the new millennium. Since its highly-anticipated unveiling, the enormous Ferris wheel has become one of London’s most iconic landmarks. For a long time the London eye offered the highest viewing point in London, until The Shard opened in 2013 and provided tourists with even better views from its observation deck. Despite also losing its status as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, the London Eye still maintains its prominence as Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel.

Provided that the United Kingdom is home to a large number of hugely popular tourist draws, it remains incredibly impressive that the London Eye is still the most popular paid tourist attraction in the country, attracting over 3.75 million visitors annually. 

Facts About The London Eye...

• While the London Eye certainly is a big wheel, it wasn’t the city’s first big wheel. The famed attraction was preceded by The Great Wheel, a west London-based Ferris wheel constructed for the Empire of India Exhibition in Earl’s Court.
• The London Eye was originally only intended to perch on the Southbank for a temporary basis, approximately five years. In July 2002, Lambeth Council provided the landmark with a permanent licence.
• The London Eye was designed by husband and wife, Julia Barfield and David Marks of Marks Barfield Architects.
• Since January 2015, its official name has been the Coca-Cola London Eye.
• The London Eye was ceremoniously opened by former Prime Minister, Tony Blair on the 31st of December 1999.
• On a clear day you can see up to 40 kilometres in every direction.
• The London Eye is made up of 32 passenger capsules that are numbered 1 to 33. No capsule was given the number 13 for superstitious reasons.
• In 2005 the colossal landmark was lit up with pink lights in honour of the first Civil Partnership performed aboard the wheel.