London Eye, Observation wheel at South Bank, United Kingdom.
The construction consists of 32 enclosed glass capsules mounted on a 135-meter (443-foot) tall steel framework along the Thames South Bank, offering passengers panoramic views of the British capital as they rotate slowly above Westminster and the City districts.
Architects Julia Barfield and David Marks designed this observation wheel in 1998 for London's millennium celebrations, with construction completed in 1999 and public opening in March 2000, originally planned to operate for five years before becoming a permanent installation.
Built to mark the millennium celebrations, the observation structure became a defining feature of the South Bank skyline and now serves as a reference point visible from numerous vantage points across the metropolis, helping visitors and residents orient themselves.
Situated near Waterloo and Westminster stations, the facility operates daily with each rotation lasting 30 minutes and capsules holding up to 25 passengers, with online booking options available to reduce waiting times during peak periods.
The mechanical system enables continuous passenger boarding without stopping the wheel, which moves at 0.6 miles per hour (0.9 kilometers per hour), allowing operations to proceed without interruption while maintaining safety for all visitors entering and exiting.
Location: Lambeth
Inception: 1998
Architects: Julia Barfield, David Marks, Marks Barfield
Official opening: March 2000
Height: 135 m
Diameter: 120 m
Website: http://londoneye.com
GPS coordinates: 51.50333,-0.11972
Latest update: November 27, 2025 19:32
This collection brings together major technical achievements that have marked the history of modern engineering. From the Hoover Dam on the Colorado, built in 1936 to produce hydroelectric power, to the ITER nuclear fusion project in France, which represents the future of energy research, these structures exemplify human boldness and skill. Each structure serves a specific purpose: crossing natural obstacles like the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn since 1883, facilitating maritime trade with the Panama Canal between the Atlantic and Pacific, or pushing height limits with the Burj Khalifa at 828 meters. These achievements are visited around the world and often offer remarkable experiences. The Eiffel Tower welcomes 7 million visitors each year who ascend to discover Paris from its 324-meter height. Shanghai's Maglev allows travel at 430 kilometers per hour thanks to magnetic levitation. The Millau Viaduct crosses the Tarn Valley at 343 meters above sea level over 2,460 meters in length. These engineering landmarks invite understanding of how industrial architecture has shaped our modern world, combining functional necessity with technical prowess that continues to fascinate visitors worldwide.
Observation wheels allow the exploration of cities and their surroundings from heights ranging from 25 to 250 meters. These steel structures rotate slowly, giving visitors time to observe monuments, watercourses, and neighborhoods spread at their feet. In London, the London Eye looms over the Thames at 135 meters, while in Singapore, the Singapore Flyer stands at 165 meters with views reaching into Malaysia and Indonesia. In Las Vegas, the High Roller rises 168 meters above the lit-up Strip. Each wheel has its unique technical and historical features. The Tianjin Eye in China is integrated into the Yongle Bridge structure above the Hai River. In Vienna, the Wiener Riesenrad in Prater dates from 1897 and retains its original 15 wooden cabins. These attractions offer an alternative way to see cities, taking height for a rotation duration typically between 15 and 30 minutes.
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647 mReviews
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A giant wheel that takes its time! Very fun if you want to privatize an entire cabin and have an aperitif with the Thames and London in front of you!
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