London Eye

About London Eye

The London Eye is the giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, directly across the water from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. It opened in 2000 to mark the millennium and quickly became one of the city's most recognisable landmarks. Rather than the open gondolas of an old-fashioned fairground wheel, it carries sealed glass capsules that turn slowly enough that you board and step off while the wheel keeps moving. At its highest point you rise roughly 135 meters above the river, high enough on a clear day to pick out landmarks well beyond the city center.

A single rotation takes about half an hour, which is the length of a standard ride. Each capsule holds a group of people, so you're not alone, but there's room to move from side to side and take in the view in every direction. The wheel sits in the Westminster area near County Hall, a short walk across Westminster Bridge from Parliament and within easy reach of the aquarium, the London Dungeon, and the wider South Bank walk toward the Tate Modern and Borough Market. It's a common stop on walking tours of central London, including Harry Potter film-site walks that pass this stretch of the river.

Tickets are timed, and the queue for same-day walk-up entry can be long in summer and on weekends, so booking a slot in advance is the sensible move. Late afternoon and dusk are popular for the light, and the view over a lit-up city after dark is a different experience from a daytime ride. The wheel runs in most weather, though very low cloud can cut visibility from the top. If you're combining it with other South Bank sights, allow time for the queue as well as the ride itself, and check current opening times before you go, as they shift with the season.