Eye-Eye! (London Eye)

Member Name: Pjenkins

Product:	London Eye
Date:	14/02/02 (149 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Spectacular Views

Disadvantages: Timed entry only

The year 2000 was a time of immense change for London, the nations capital. As a celebration of the new Millennium, the champions of British Industry undertook many projects that were designed to encapsulate the spirit of the times. Bridges were built – and they wobbled. Domes were constructed. And no one came to see them. Great Fireworks displays were planned to set the capital alight in a wave of neon colour. And then they fizzled out because it was raining. It would seem that Londoners got an altogether raw deal out of Y2K.

Down on the South Bank of the Thames however, something altogether different was taking place. During the arguments and hullabaloo about what should be done with the boil on the bum of Greenwich, a rarity was taking its shape outside County Hall, former home of Red Ken and the GLC. The British Airways London Eye, an observation wheel standing a staggering 135m began to turn, giving visitors a chance to view the nations capital from a unique position, and presenting the London skyline with a new and exciting feature for the twenty first century.

As a landmark, the eye is staggering, and at a 2,100 tonnes is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Similar to a Ferris Wheel in its shape, it is located adjacent to Westminster Bridge on the South Side of the River Thames. The design is a postmodernist’s wet dream and is a truly innovative. The fairground big wheel style finds a natural home amongst the other landmarks on the river, yet the space age capsules which form the rim of the wheel fit very nicely with the recently redeveloped south bank.

‘Flights’ on the eye (as that is what BA like to call them) take around thirty minutes, and you can gain spectacular views of over 55 London landmarks. These include St Paul’s Cathedral, the Post Office Tower and by far the best view of the Houses of Parliament you will ever see. The viewing distance is about twenty-five miles, allowing you to tak
e in the sheer magnitude of the city. Capsules hold a maximum of twenty-five people, in order to ensure that everyone receives a good view. There is even the chance for you to purchase a photo of yourself mid flight in one of the pods for five pounds. A little expensive, but it does come in a nice folder and well, you’re only there once aren’t you!

The motion of the ‘wheel’ is continuous, travelling at a cool 0.26m/sec and only ever pausing to allow disabled passengers to board safely. This means that turning up on time for your flight is essential. BA recommend that you arrive 30 minutes before your allotted time, in order to avoid disappointment. If there is no queue when you arrive however, you can walk straight up and get going immediately!

The Eye has become the capitals most popular tourist attraction, and received some 3.5 million visitors last year. As with any popular attraction however, this means that space is very limited, so booking is essential. Tickets can be booked over the phone or through the website, which is very easy to navigate through. Tickets for adults cost £9.50, with a child paying £5.00. Note that the adult price rises to £11.00 during peak season that starts at the end of May. There is also the opportunity to receive group bookings (for schools/colleges etc), and if you get in contact with the Tussauds Group, who are administrate the Eye bookings, you can enquire about setting up an account with them.

The eye is very accessible and is 2 minutes walk from Waterloo tube station or 5 minutes from the Embankment. There is also a river bus that docks at the Waterloo pier, right next to the eye. My personal recommendation is to take the Riverside walk from Tower Bridge, along the South Bank, finishing at the Eye. It should take you about an hour and a half, but along the way you’ll see Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare’s Globe, The National Theatre and the new Tate Modern G
allery. You then finish up by going on the eye and seeing them all from 130m in the air!

I would strongly recommend doing this, more than anything because it is predicted that it will have only a limited lifespan, and will be dismantled at some point. I would also recommend doing it twice, once on a clear day, and once on a ‘night flight’. The city skyline fully illuminated is beautiful and a sight not to be missed. The most amazing thing was watching the trains from the various parts of the capital weaving their way around London. It gives you a real sense of perspective.

As a quick note, many people have been worried by the threat of terrorism to the attraction in recent months. It was clear during our journey that BA are taking this very seriously, checking each pod thoroughly after each flight. It was reassuring to see this, and quashed any fears that any of our party may have had before we ‘took off’.

Summing up, I was impressed. London has become an altogether more civilised beast of late, and the eye is a small testimony to that. It is clean, dynamic and for once, is a genuine symbol of British achievement. Take the family!

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