The London Eye is one of the most popular tourist attractions to open in London in recent years and is often considered one of the activities to do when you visit the capital. Book in advance and save up to 20% on all tickets.
However, how much do you really know about the London Eye? Most people look at the London Eye and assume it's just a giant Ferris wheel. As the world's tallest cantilever observation wheel, it's actually more interesting than you might think.
What is the location of the London Eye?
Most people will recognize the London Eye from photos and images of London's famous skyline, but it's not always clear where to look for the attractions. It is located near the London Aquarium and the London Underground on the South Bank of London.
Palace of Westminster Waterloo International and Embankment London Underground stations are just a short walk away making it a quick trip from Park Grand London.
What is the purpose of creating the London Eye?
The London Eye was first built in 1999 to celebrate the new century. It was formally inaugurated on 31 December 1999 by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair. The idea was selected from a host of competing entries in 1993 to propose a new emblem to mark the turn of the century.
What is the 'proper' name for the London Eye?
The London Eye has been called by many different names since it first opened, most of which relate to who was sponsoring the wheel at the time. It was previously known as British Airways London Eye, Merlin Entertainment London Eye and Coca-Cola London Eye. However, it is commonly referred to as The London Eye or The Millennium Wheel.
Is it easy to get to the London Eye?
Yes! The London Eye is open all year round and visitors can buy tickets on the day or pre-book a wheel ride. The journey takes about 30 minutes to complete. Save up to 33% and make it last by combining your lastminute.com London i-Ticket with a trip to one of London's other top attractions.
There are great views from the wheel and you can even see where the Park Grand London Hotel is located on a clear day. On average, the London Eye receives more visitors each year than both the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Number of capsules in the London Eye
The London Eye consists of 32 capsules, one representing each of London's 32 boroughs. Each capsule is numbered, but the number 13 is omitted due to an unfortunate superstition often associated with the number.
This means capsule numbers 1 to 12 and 14 to 33. The capsules travel at a comfortable speed of 26 cm/s, twice the speed of a turtle.
Owned by the London Eye
The London Eye has changed hands over the years. It was originally owned by the Tussauds Group, British Airways and the Marks Barfield family group, but in 2006 the Tussauds Group acquired full ownership.
The following year, the company was bought by Merlin Entertainment, which still retains full ownership of London Eye. Although the property has changed hands several times during its existence, the London Eye has always been a popular part of the city's skyline and is still one of the most popular attractions.
Presentation and use of the present tense
The London Eye was unveiled in 1999 as part of the New Year's Eve celebrations, but due to some technical glitches early in its life, it was not opened to the public until March 2000. Since 2005, the London Eye has played an important role in the London New Year. Celebrations
Today, the London Eye attracts a large number of tourists and is estimated to have had over 30 million visitors since its first opening, making it one of the most important landmarks in the modern London skyline. makes
