London Eye

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames. Standing 135 meters tall with a 120-meter diameter, it's Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel and the UK's most popular paid tourist attraction, drawing over three million visitors annually.

Opened to the public in 2000, it was initially the world’s tallest Ferris wheel but was later surpassed by others like the Star of Nanchang, Singapore Flyer, and Ain Dubai. Despite these taller counterparts, the London Eye remains unique as the tallest cantilevered observation wheel, supported by an A-frame on just one side. Until 2013, it offered London's highest public viewing point, later surpassed by The Shard’s observation deck.

The Eye sits beside County Hall, near Jubilee Gardens, between the Westminster and Hungerford bridges. The design was crafted by husband-and-wife duo David Marks and Julia Barfield, with construction managed by Mace and contributions from several international companies. The structure’s steelwork came from the Netherlands, cables from Italy, bearings from Germany, and glass capsules from France. It was constructed in sections floated up the Thames on barges and assembled horizontally before being slowly lifted into place. I witnessed the days the London Eye was lifted from its flat position on the Thames.

Originally planned as a temporary attraction with a five-year lease, the London Eye became a permanent fixture in 2002. Its 32 air-conditioned, ovoid-shaped capsules, numbered 1 to 33 (skipping 13 for superstition), represent one of London's boroughs and can hold up to 25 passengers. One complete revolution takes about 30 minutes, giving visitors stunning views of the city as the wheel moves slowly enough for passengers to board without stopping.

In 2008, the Eye marked a milestone with its 30 millionth rider. The capsules were upgraded in 2009, and in 2013, one was renamed the "Coronation Capsule" in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's 60th coronation anniversary.

The Eye has seen several changes in ownership and sponsorship. The original owners were Marks Barfield Architects, Tussauds Group, and British Airways. Tussauds eventually bought out the other stakes, which were later acquired by the Blackstone Group and merged into Merlin Entertainments. Over the years, the Eye has had sponsorship deals with British Airways, EDF Energy, Coca-Cola, and lastminute.com, which took over in 2020.

Beyond its role as a tourist attraction, the London Eye has become an icon of the city. Sir Richard Rogers compared its impact to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, praising its ability to offer everyone—not just the wealthy—an elevated view of the city. Its prime location and panoramic views symbolise London’s heart, bringing visitors worldwide to experience its beauty from above.