Wheel of Birmingham, Ferris wheel in Centenary Square, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The Wheel of Birmingham is a large observation wheel located in Centenary Square, in the heart of the city center. It has enclosed gondolas that give riders a full view over the rooftops and streets below.
The wheel first appeared in Birmingham in November 2003, making it one of the earliest large urban observation wheels in a British city center outside London. It was renewed twice after that, with the most recent version installed in 2010.
The wheel stands in Centenary Square, a central gathering place that hosts Birmingham's annual Frankfurt Christmas Market each winter. During that period, the area fills with visitors and the ride above the market stalls offers a view that feels tied to the season.
The wheel runs seasonally, generally from spring through autumn, with an extended run during the winter Christmas market period. An elevator provides access to the gondolas, so the ride is open to visitors with limited mobility.
Before coming to Birmingham, the original wheel had operated in Paris under the name Roue de Paris. Few visitors know they are riding a structure that once turned above the French capital.
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