The London Eye

The London Eye in London is owned by British Airways and is located on the SouthBank near Waterloo station in London.  The London Eye is also known as the Millennium Wheel as it was first opened in 2000.

The London Eye carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned egg-shaped[4] passenger capsules, attached to its external circumference, each capsule representing  one of the London Boroughs.  The wheel does not usually stop to take on passengers; the rotation rate is slow enough to allow passengers to walk on and off the moving capsules at ground level.[1] It is, however, stopped to allow disabled or elderly passengers time to embark and disembark safely.  One revolution or turn on The London Eye usually takes about 30 minutes.

When The London Eye was first built there were a few hitches in getting it erected.  Sir Richard Branson soon sent a blimp air balloon with the words BA Can't get it up!  (We Love you Richard!)  The London Eye was formally opened by the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on 31 December 1999, although it was not opened to the public until March 2000 because  of technical problems.

Since January 2005 it has been a new year tradition to have the London Eye as a main focus point for the amazing firework displays London arranges.

During the bidding process of the 2012 Olympic Games, the London bid organisers announced the Olympic emblem would be attached to the Eye for the duration of the 2012 Summer Olympics. If you are looking for London Eye Tickets these can be purchased on the official website.  Also you can Hire a Capsule at the London eye for private parties and corporate events.