London Eye

What to expect

The London Eye is a 135 m observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge, beside County Hall. It was built for the millennium and opened to the public in 2000. The wheel carries 32 sealed, air-conditioned glass capsules, each holding up to 25 people, and is held up from one side only, which leaves the view open.

A ride is one slow turn, about 30 minutes. The wheel barely stops, so you step on and off while it keeps moving gently. Inside the capsule you look out over Parliament, the river and the city. Most of the time is spent queuing and boarding, so plan the whole visit as an hour or so rather than just the ride. Until 2013 it was the highest public viewpoint in London.

Don't miss

• Houses of Parliament and Big Ben from above
• The Thames bending through the city
• Westminster Bridge below
• The capsules turning slowly
• County Hall next door

Tips for your visit

• Book a timed ticket online ahead of time in busy periods to avoid a long queue.
• Aim for late afternoon so you see the city in daylight and as it turns to evening.
• Walk along the riverside path before or after for photos of the wheel itself.
• Each capsule holds up to 25 people, so you share the view with a small crowd.