A Fairly Recent Addition

As one of the most easily recognised landmarks in London, it may be difficult to believe that the London Eye has only been in place for just over 20 years.

As its alternative name - the ‘Millennium Wheel’ - gives away, this iconic observation wheel was installed at the end of the 1990’s and officially opened by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair on 31st December, 1999.

It was constructed as a way to celebrate the turn of the millennium and introduce a piece of modern architecture to an historic part of central London.

Impressive Statistics

At 135 metres high, the London Eye was the tallest ferris wheel in the world for several years, before being eclipsed by similar structures in China, Singapore and Dubai. It is still said to be the tallest ‘cantilevered’ wheel, a term which refers to the fact that it is supported only at one end.

It also offers one of the most highest public viewing points in London, second only to The Shard, a skyscraper which opened in 2013. Its views - which offer an impressive 40 kilometer radius in each direction - are what give it its title, ‘The Eye’.

With these impressive credentials, it is interesting to note that The Eye was originally due to be in place for only five years. Operators requested permanent status towards the end of 2001, and this was granted the following year.

A Capsule for All

The compartments of the London Eye from which passengers take in the panoramic views of the capital are known as ‘capsules’. There are 32 of these in total, with the idea being that there is one to represent each of the London Boroughs. Each capsule is numbered, though interestingly the number 13 is not used as it is believed to be unlucky.

A full rotation of the Eye takes around thirty minutes, giving visitors ample opportunity to take in the views of a wide range of attractions and areas of interest, from the Houses of Parliament across the river, to Windsor Castle on the outskirts of the city.

Still Going Strong

Even those who don’t take a ride on the Eye will delight in seeing it lit up at night. At the time of writing, the Eye is currently pink due to sponsorship, but it is not uncommon for it to take on alternative colours based on current affairs. A couple of examples of this include February 2022, when the Eye was lit in blue and yellow to show solidarity with the Ukraine. It has also been seen to be red, white and blue to mark the arrival of Royal babies.

The London Eye has consistently attracted high volumes of visitors since opening, and with around 3.5 million passengers a year, it is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. The attraction is included in our London Daytrip.