The Wheel Goes Round

When the London Eye was announced, it was like, please, No. It's too 'out there' for London. We're a sensible global city, not a fairground. Someone, somewhere, thought about bringing London into the 21st Century, which is why it was called the Millennium Wheel. It was before the turn of the new dawn that it was proposed and opened in the new millennium.

It was designed by a husband-and-wife team that was made up of Marks Barfield architects. Many engineers, surveyors, and investors helped this project come alive. The wheel opened to much fanfare in 2000 by Tony Blair.

Today, it's a firm favourite for tourists and Londoners. Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel is the most popular paid tourist attraction, with over 3 million visitors annually before Covid-19. It was closed during the lockdown but opened in July 2020 before closing for the third Lockdown in London.

I’m glad to see the Wheel as a main attraction by the river these days. It’s also a perfect way to look at the City from above. The ticket is expensive, and if you book early, you can pay £33, but if you walk up and book, it’s £44. You can even book a champagne trip experience if you fancy splashing out.

One Capsule Representing Each of the 33 Boroughs

It has 32 capsules numbered from 1 to 33, but it doesn't have 13 because of superstition. Each one of the capsules represents one of the 33 London Boroughs and holds up to 25 people. The wheel rotates at 26 cm (10 in) per second (about 0.9 km/h or 0.6 mph), so one revolution takes about 30 minutes. It does not stop to let passengers on or off, although it is stopped to allow disabled and elderly people to get off and on safely.

Trip Down to Eye

I've been on it several times, including during a corporate visit. However, my favourite experience was just after the lockdown ended in August 2020. Booking online was easy, and there was a bit more security on the day, but it was expected, given the circumstances we were experiencing. I hesitated because of the virus, but the experience and cleanliness were excellent.

The welcome was great, and the process was seamless, too. Each visit is timed, and you can choose your preference when booking. We turned up to an empty capsule. The maximum capacity is 25. It would have just been two of us, but we were joined by a third person at the last second.

We weren't bothered because there was no jostling for space. We were able to walk around freely and enjoy breathtaking views of London.

Just Wow

It doesn't matter how often you go on the wheel; it's a great experience. The wheel goes around at a leisurely pace, and as a result, you appreciate many beautiful sights, including The Palace of Westminster, the River Thames, many bridges, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's, and so many more. The journey was 30 minutes, and it felt sufficient. Any more, and you might lose the wow; any less, you'd feel cheated.

Parting Comments

I'd been a few times before, but this one was, by far, the best and most memorable trip. I don't think I will experience anything like this again, and I felt that I had experienced another moment of history in the making.

I would recommend booking early and making the most of the experience. There are plenty of places to fuel up with many cafes, bars and restaurants nearby and along the Thames near the South Bank Centre.

Thank you for your attention

Tabby