London Eye
The London Eye is a large metal Ferris wheel. It is also known as the Millennium Wheel and is one of the largest observation wheels in the world. Since mid-January 2015 it has been known in branding as the Coca-Cola London Eye, after an agreement signed in September 2014. The London Eye is at the western end of Jubilee Garden, on the South Bank of the river Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge.
| London Eye | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Classification | Observation wheel |
| Location | Western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the South Bank of the River Thames, London, UK |
| Construction started | 1998 |
| Completed | March 2000[1] |
| Height | |
| Roof | 135 metres (443 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | David Marks, Julia Barfield, Malcolm Cook, Mark Sparrowhawk, Steve Chilton and Nic Bailey |
The Eye was opened in 2000. It is 135 metres (443 feet) high. At the time it was built, in 1999, it was the tallest giant wheel in the world, and at present it is Europe's tallest Ferris wheel.[2] It offered the highest public viewing point in London.[3] The 245-metre (804-foot) observation deck on the 72nd floor of The Shard is now the highest public view of London.[4][5]
It is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom: there are over 2.2 million visitors annually,[6] and the Eye has made many appearances in popular culture.
The London Eye was overtaken in height by the Star of Nanchang, which is 160 metres (520 feet) high. On 11 February 2008, the Singapore Flyer overtook the Star of Nanchang with 165 metres (541 feet). In 2018-19 a plan for a taller observation wheel named the Whey Aye was proposed for Newcastle upon Tyne.
London Eye Media
Supported by an A-frame on one side only, the Eye is described by its operators as a cantilevered observation wheel.
The spindle, hub, and tensioned cables that support the rim
This photo is of the London Eye on the 7th of April 2006 as viewed from the rear. It is a 6 second exposure and taken with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens at 24mm, f/4 and ISO 50.
The Eye on the South Bank of the Thames, with Jubilee Gardens (left) and County Hall (right) in the background
Colourful London Eye near County Hall
British Airways London Eye Profile
London Eye as a boat passes on the River Thames, with Big Ben in the background
References
- ↑ "London Eye - Marks Barfield". marksbarfield.com.
- ↑ Royal Mail Celebrates 10 Years of the London Eye
- ↑ d "Up you come, the view's amazing... first look from the Shard's public gallery". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 31 December 2014
- ↑ "Shard observation deck to be Europe's highest". Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
- ↑ "The Shard opens viewing deck to visitors". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
- ↑ "History of The London Eye". Retrieved 18 September 2012.
Other websites
Media related to London Eye at Wikimedia Commons