By Jim Hunt for the News and Journal
One of the most visited sites in London is something that has only existed since 2020:
The London Eye. Situated on the South Bank of the Thames River, it towers over the
historic city, claiming the title of the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in Europe.
During our recent trip to London with our granddaughter, Emery, the London Eye was
her number one destination. When we landed in London on Sunday, we made our way
to see the enormous wheel. Emery’s eyes widened as she gazed up into the sky,
realizing that we had tickets to ride the Eye on Tuesday at 1:00 PM.
One reason the London Eye is such a popular venue is its spectacular view of Big Ben,
Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. On Tuesday, as we arrived early for our scheduled
ride, we located the entrance to the queue. Tickets for the ride cost 30 Pound Sterling,
roughly equivalent to $37 US Dollars each. Upon entering the line, we slowly ascended
the ramp to the platform where we boarded the large glass pods, each accommodating
about sixteen passengers. The ride, lasting thirty minutes, does not pause to load or
disembark passengers. This feat is achieved with the assistance of several young
attendants who help passengers onto the pods as they slowly move along the platform.
As we settled into our seats in the glass pod, I noticed Emery was somewhat
apprehensive about ascending into the London sky. However, she soon grew
comfortable and began exploring, marveling at the gradual ascent. Upon reaching the
apex of the Eye, we were met with breathtaking views in every direction. The Tower
Bridge and the Tower of London were prominently visible, alongside other iconic
landmarks throughout the city. At its highest point, the London Eye reaches 433 feet,
and everyone in the pod eagerly captured photos and selfies of the bird’s eye view. As
we approached the platform, we prepared to disembark swiftly, making way for new
passengers. Though the ride lasted only thirty minutes, it was one of the most
exhilarating experiences of our trip to London.
Observation wheels, like the London Eye, are cropping up in many major cities
worldwide. The largest wheel in the world is the Dubai Eye in Dubai, UAE, followed by
the High Roller Observation Wheel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Like skyscrapers, the race to
claim the title of the largest continues, with designers already conceptualizing even
larger wheels, complete with bars and restaurants. Asia, in particular, boasts ten of the
fifteen largest observation wheels. Since the majority of these attractions are owned and
operated by private companies, they must continually attract paying customers to
remain viable.
Though not as steeped in history as Big Ben, the London Eye remains a cherished
memory of our trip to London, immortalized in the many spectacular photos we captured
during our ride.