We Got On The London Eye, London’s Ferris Wheel

One of the main attractions of the British capital is the one already known as the London Ferris wheel: the London Eye. This colossal eye is the most original viewpoint that we will find on the entire English map. Its 135 meters high leaves little to the imagination of the traveler, as long as it does not suffer from vertigo, of course. We are going to take a walk through the history of this great wheel on the banks of the Thames.

A look at the history of the London Eye

Six European countries were involved in this colossal construction, including France and the Netherlands. Materials such as carbon steel, concrete, glass, polyurethane and aluminum, among others, were required.

It was made by sections that floated in boats on the Thames for weeks. The wheel on which the lookout booths sit rests on two A-shaped legs.  The Ferris wheel was finished in 1999 and once the construction work was completed, the inauguration did not take long. A year later it began to work.

The London Eye was designed to be the tallest observation wheel of its time. Competitors soon emerged. The record lasted six years, and is currently the third highest in the world. It is surpassed only by the Nanchang Star and the Singapore Flyer.

A colossal location

Let’s forget the dizziness and fear and go up to this powerful structure that is an attraction and a viewpoint at the same time. It is located in the Lambeth district, between the Westminster and Hungerford bridges. Due to its location, the best panoramic views of the most important buildings in the English capital are contemplated from its highest point.

From one of its 32 cabins you can see the nearby Houses of Parliament. Westminster Abbey, Big Ben or the Tower of London will also be within sight of the tourist.

These cabins, 8 × 4 meters and perfectly air-conditioned, rotate in a circle of 120 meters in diameter. To avoid the feeling of wandering, they are equipped with a stabilization system to keep the capsule level. In this way, the visitor can forget the feeling of dizziness and enjoy the views without problems.

In addition, it must be taken into account that the speed of the movement is very slow, it takes about half an hour to make the complete turn, enough time to enjoy the landscape. A landscape that goes beyond the city, because from the top of the London Eye and on clear days, the view can reach up to 40 kilometers around.

The capital with more character

London, the city of a thousand faces

To know the rhythm of the English capital, you must live in it for a while. It is almost impossible to cover this immense city, which extends over 1,600 km² in a few days. But we can get a global overview of what London has to offer.

A multitude of cultural and historical places or dozens of charming neighborhoods await us. Endless streets, parks and squares are waiting to be visited. Attractions as varied as Portobello or the five o’clock tea are something not to be missed.

And much of the life of the city revolves around the basin of the River Thames, where various bridges rise, typically English. We can enjoy this on foot or from the London Eye. Whether in one of its famous black cabs or a red double-decker bus, London is a destination to explore.

A dream on the waters

Water is a main component of London life. Not only because it rains abundantly and frequently, but because, as we indicated, the entire city is located around the Thames.

There are several boat tours on the river, it is not only another way to get to know the city, but also the most romantic. But if there is an incredible way to see the Thames, it is from the air, aboard the London Eye. The height will create an unreal and private atmosphere, endowing the scene with mystery and magic.