The London Eye

The London Eye was opened in March 2000. The London Eye was opened in March 2000. Since that time it has become an iconic Since that time it has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of modern Britain. landmark and a symbol of modern Britain.

The construction of The construction of the London Eye was the London Eye was projected by David projected by David Marks and his wife Marks and his wife Julia Barfield. They Julia Barfield. They used the wheelused the wheel

design as a metaphor for the end of design as a metaphor for the end of the 20th century, and time turning the 20th century, and time turning into the new millennium.into the new millennium.

It took seven years and the skills of It took seven years and the skills of hundreds of people from five countries hundreds of people from five countries

to make the London Eye a reality to make the London Eye a reality

The London Eye welcomes 3.5 The London Eye welcomes 3.5 million customers every year. million customers every year.

The London Eye stands 135 m high. The London Eye stands 135 m high. It’s equivalent is 64 red telephone It’s equivalent is 64 red telephone boxes piled on top of each other)boxes piled on top of each other)

It is the third world’s highest It is the third world’s highest observation wheelobservation wheel

It offers spectacular views of the It offers spectacular views of the capital’s most famous sightscapital’s most famous sights..

You can see around 40km from the top You can see around 40km from the top as far as Windsor Castle on a clear dayas far as Windsor Castle on a clear day..

Your flight will take approximately Your flight will take approximately 30 minutes. It means that a capsule 30 minutes. It means that a capsule

travels at 26cm per second, or travels at 26cm per second, or twice as fast as a tortoise sprintingtwice as fast as a tortoise sprinting..

This speed allows This speed allows passengers to passengers to step on and off step on and off

without the wheel without the wheel having to stophaving to stop..

The London Eye can carry 800 The London Eye can carry 800 passengers per revolution - passengers per revolution - equivalent to 11 London red equivalent to 11 London red

doubled-decker buses doubled-decker buses

Each of the 32 capsules weighs Each of the 32 capsules weighs 10 tonnes. To put that figure into 10 tonnes. To put that figure into perspective, it's the same weight perspective, it's the same weight as 1,052,631 pound coins! as 1,052,631 pound coins!

The London Eye has won over 75 The London Eye has won over 75 awards for national and international awards for national and international

tourism, outstanding architectural tourism, outstanding architectural quality and engineering achievement quality and engineering achievement

since opening in March 2000. since opening in March 2000.