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By User:Diliff – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the London Eye

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is an observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London.

It is the tallest observation wheel in Europe and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United Kingdom. The wheel has also featured in several popular cultures.

The wheel is supported by an A-frame on one side unlike other observation wheels in the world. It is also the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel standing at 135 metres high and 120 metres wide.

It is a must-see and do activity while in London because it gives the most beautiful panoramic views of the city and more than 25 kilometres in all directions.

Here are the top 10 facts about the London eye.

1. The London Eye is not a Ferris wheel

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the London Eye is a Ferris wheel. The fact is that it the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel.

The London Eye is supported by an A-frame on just one side while the capsules are on the outside of the wheel rim.

The other distinction from a Ferris wheel is that the London Eye is 443 feet tall and 394 feet wide. A Ferris wheel is usually smaller. Its internal structure is built with cables giving a transparent appearance. It is also climate-controlled meaning they run all year round.

Unlike a Ferris wheel, the London eye does not stop to let in or let out passengers, instead, it rotates at a slow speed enough to allow the passengers to get in and out while on the ground level.

2. There are 32 capsules each representing the 32 Boroughs

The other fact about the London eye is that there are 32 capsules each representing the 32 boroughs in London.

There are however 33 capsules in total; 1-12 and 14-33. The 13^th number was skipped for superstitious and bad luck reasons.

The wheel rotates at an easy pace of 26 cm per second a little faster than a running tortoise. Each capsule is said to weigh 10 tons and carries 25 people in each.

3. The London Eye was built to celebrate the new millennium

By Diego Delso-Wikimedia

The London Eye was constructed in 1999 to celebrate the new millennium. It was officially opened on 31st December 1999 by then Prime Minister, Tony Blair. During the official launch, the VIPs could not go on it to enjoy the views, a technical hitch occurred and the capsules rotated without passengers.

The idea of building the London eye was picked from several competition submissions that were held in 1993 to introduce a new landmark to indicate the turning of the century.

Although the London Eye was opened on New years eve, technical issues made it halted from the public. It was then opened to the public in March 2000.

The London Eye has become one of the world’s most iconic landmarks since it was launched.

4. You can rent a capsule for an event

Other than sightseeing being the top attraction of the London Eye, there is more that one can do in the capsules.

Fun events have been held at the capsules such as wine tasting, chocolate tasting and champagne tasting.

During the annual London Restaurant Festival, the London Eye was turned into a dining hotspot. Celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Daniel Boulud served meals in one of the capsules to ten customers. It was an expensive dining experience as they paid at least 30,000 USD for that pleasurable and once in a lifetime experience.

There is also a romantic package one can buy to impress their loved one; the cupid’s capsule. This capsule is for the lovers to create unforgettable moments while enjoying the magical London skyline.

5. The London Eye is known by other names

The London Eye has more than one name therefore do not get confused when someone refers to it by its other names.

The name London Eye was seen as more befitting because one gets to have a 360 view of the city and beyond.

The Millennium Wheel is its other name since the wheel was built to usher in the new millennium and century.

The name has also varied depending on the sponsors of the wheel. It has been called the British Airways London Eye; the Merlin Entertainments London Eye; then the EDF Energy London Eye

In 2005 it was called the Coca-Cola London Eye after an agreement signed in partnership with the global soft drink company.

6. The London Eye is not the first Observation wheel

By Misterweiss-Wikimedia

This may come as a surprise to many, yes there was another observation wheel in London in the 19^th century.

The first one was built in 1895 and was part of the Empire of India exhibition.

It served the people for at least 11 years and got demolished in 1906. During those years that it was in service, 2.5 million people were able to get on the wheel and enjoy the view of the city.

The wheel was called the Gigantic wheel and it took a year to construct. This wheel was 308 feet tall and 270 feet wide.

7. The London Eye attracts millions of tourists annually

Just like the previous Gigantic wheel and other Ferris wheels, the London Eye has caught the eye of many tourists visiting the city.

Being in the capsules is a truly pleasurable and exciting experience that anyone visiting the city would want to experience.

This massive attraction gets to serve more than 3.5 million visitors every year. Each rotation of the wheel takes 800 people.

The London Eye is also a favourite of many celebrities Kate moss has been on the wheel at least 25 times while Jessica Alba has been on 31 times.

It attracts more visitors than the Stonehenge, Taj Mahal or the Pyramids of Giza

There is also a replica of the wheel at Legoland Winsor.

8. The London Eye was an idea by an Architect couple

The London Eye was designed by a couple, David Marks and Julia Barfield, who were architects.

They submitted their design among many others at a competition held in 1993, 6 years before it was built.

The city of London was seeking new landmark ideas to celebrate the millennium.

Their entry was rejected at first along with many others that were entered.

This did not dampen their spirit because the husband and wife were determined to see the wheel up and running.

They formed their company to help them make this a reality, they were able to collaborate with British airway who helped in bringing the wheel to life.

A team of architects assisted the couple in the refining and constructing the London Eye. The architects were Frank Anatole, Nic Bailey, Steve Chilton, Malcolm Cook, Mark Sparrow hawk, and the husband-and-wife team of Julia Barfield and David Marks.

9. Thousands of marriage proposals have been done here

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

The London Eye is such a spectacular sight especially at night with all the lights that brighten it up.

It is no wonder then that more than 5000 couples have gotten engaged while riding the capsule since it was opened to the public in 2000.

There have been more than 500 weddings held at the London Eye since 2001.

In case one would want to have a capsule for themselves, they are required to pay for the estimated number of passengers per capsule and can have a small wedding or a private proposal.

The London Eye was turned pink in 2005 to celebrate the first civil union it hosted.

10. The London Eye lights up during memorable events

The London Eye has been the highlight of several celebrations held in London, the country or international events like New Year’s Eve.

The Wheel was adorned with red, blue and white lights to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, it lit up in pink lights to mark the legislation of gay civil right partnership, it was red to mark Coca-Cola sponsorship and was green on St. Patrick’s Day. Not forgetting the extravagant fireworks display during the New Year.