England: London: The London Eye

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The London Eye is the most popular tourist attraction (which charges a fee) in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the number of visitors taking a ride on the London Eye each year can be in excess of three million). Situated on London's South Bank of the River Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge, and at a height of 135 metres (443 ft), the London Eye is the largest Ferris Wheel to be found in Europe and it is one of the best places to see many London tourist attractions from the one spot. Little wonder then that hotels near London Eye are so popular and it is strongly advised that you book your room at the very earliest opportunity as many hotels are often fully booked well in advance (some up to a year).

Built as part of England's Millennium celebrations the London Eye is known to many as the Millennium Wheel and, at the time of it's construction, it was the largest Ferris whell in the World. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, it did not open to the public until March 2000 but, strangely, it was formally opened on 31 December 1999 by Tony Blair PM.

Today the London Eye lays claim to being the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world.

The wheel consists of thirty two ten tonne, air conditioned, pods (shown to the right) able to carry twenty five free standing passengers. The wheel is actually rather slow moving and this makes it possible for the wheel to remain moving while passengers walk on and off. However, for the sake of elderly or disabled passengers, it can be halted. It takes roughly half an hour to make one complete revolution.

Page Contents (Scroll down to view more)
Getting To The London Eye
Opening Times
Hotels Near London Eye

 

Getting To The London Eye

The easiest way to get to the London Eye is via the London Underground, get off at Waterloo and follow the signs for the South Bank and you will be there in about five minutes. Alternatively get off at stations Embankment, Charing Cross which are on the north side of the River Thames which means you will need ro cross Hungerford Bridge, the walk should take you no longer than quarter of an hour. If you are wanting to also visit the Houses of Parliament then get off at the Westminster tube station (nearest station to Parliament) and leave via exit one following the signs for Westminster pier.

If you are taking a sightseeing bus tour of London most pass by the London Eye but if you wish to travel by public transport buses catch the 77, 211 or 381 buses.

If you are planning to travel to the London Eye by car please give it some serious thought as London is heavily congested (there is a congestion charge) and although there are 3 car parks within walking distance we strongly advise parking outside London and getting to the Eye via the tube, bus or taxi.

If you are lucky enough to have a private boat you will be pleased to know that there is a nearby pier. London River Services also stop at the Waterloo Millennium Pier so it is easy enough to get to from many of London's other piers (such as Westminster Pier, Canary Wharf etc.).

If you are traveling by coach you will need to arrange parking in advance so give them a quick telephone call or write using the information below. Don't worry the parking facility/service is free while your group is on the London Eye.

Nearest Tube Stations	Nearest Railway Stations	Nearest Car Parks
Waterloo (7 minutes away)	Waterloo (7 minutes away)	Coin Street NCP (11 minutes away)
Lambeth North (12 minutes away)	Waterloo East (7 minutes away)	Library Street NCP (18 minutes away)

 

Opening Times

The first flight is at 10.00 am and the ticket office opens at 9.30 am.

Closing times vary according to the time of year but are between 8pm (October - April), 9.30 pm (July & August) and at 9pm at other times.

The London Eye is open all year except for Christmas Day and a short period between 9 - 26 January (2010).

Contact

The Merlin Entertainments London Eye
Riverside Building
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7PB

Tel: +44 (0)870 990 8886

 

Hotels Near London Eye

 

Hotel Photo	Hotel Near London Eye (within 1/2 mile)	Distance	Location	Guest Rating	Star Rating	Book Online
	Park Plaza County Hall 1 Addington Street, London, SE1 7RY Rooms from: £138.00*	0.2	Waterloo		4 Star
	Park Plaza Westminster Bridge 200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7UT Rooms from: £130.80*	0.2	London		4 Star
	Royal Horseguards 2 Whitehall Court, London, SW1A 2EJ Rooms from: £192.00*	0.3	Westminster		5 Star
	London Marriott Hotel County Hall London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB Rooms from: £286.80*	0.3	London	N/A	4 Star
	Citadines Trafalgar Square London 18-21 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5EA Rooms from: £114.00*	0.3	Trafalgar Square		3 Star A
	LSE Northumberland House Edward VII Rooms, 8a Northumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5BY Rooms from: £59.00* Often Fully Booked	0.4	London		3 Star C
	Wellington 81-83 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UD Rooms from: £93.95*	0.4	Waterloo		3 Star
	Charing Cross - A Guoman Hotel Strand, London, WC2N 5HX Rooms from: £99.01*	0.4	Charing Cross		4 Star
	SACO London - Waterloo Apartments 1 - 5 75 York Rd, London, SE1 7NJ Rooms from: £170.00*	0.4	London		4 Star A
	The Savoy The Strand, London, WC2R 0EU Rooms from: £394.51*	0.5	London	N/A	5 Star
	The Trafalgar London 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1A 2TS Rooms from: £269.08*	0.5	London		4 Star
	Strand Palace Hotel 372 The Strand, London, WC2R 0JJ Rooms from: £92.00*	0.5	Covent Garden		3 Star
	The Royal Trafalgar - A Thistle Hotel Whitcomb Street, London, WC2H 7HG Rooms from: £139.83*	0.5	Trafalgar Square		4 Star

 

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Interesting London Eye Links

London Eye Webcam
Not a fantastic webcam but worth a quick look now and again.

London Eye on Wikipedia
As always an indepth look at the topic from this free encyclopedia

The Official London Eye Site
The official site geared towards selling flights on the Eye but interesting all the same

 

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