Since 1999, the London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) has dotted the skyline of London and added its distinctive shape to the buildings that line the Thames River. To some its a tourist attraction, to others, it’s an eyesore. Regardless of one’s opinion on the Eye, it is an iconic part of the city and its history, though recent, is certainly as memorable as one of its “flights”.
The inspiration for the London was was the London Wheel. First, if you need London Eye tickets, check out that link. Located at Earl’s Court, a Ferris Wheel was built as part of the Empire of India Exhibition in 1895. It was in service for nearly twelve years and at a height of 308 feet with 40 cars that could each carry 40 people, it saw over 2.5 million passengers before it was finally demolished in 1907 following the Imperial Austrian Exhibition. And even though the Wheel had been gone from the city for 92 years, some Londoners longed to see a similar attraction return.
The Eye has its origins beginning in 1993 with a competition to design a new landmark for London. Husband and wife David Marks and Julia Barfield submitted their idea for a wheel as an homage to the one from the beginning of the previous century. The pair noted that, at the time, London lacked many observation points to view the skyline from all angles and designed a Ferris Wheel with glass pods to provide a 360-degree views of the city. Not a traditional Ferris Wheel, Marks and Barfield (along with Frank Anatole, Nic Bailey, Steve Chilton, Malcolm Cook, and Mark Sparrowhawk) designed what’s called a cantilevered observation wheel where only one side is fixed to the ground with projected beam around which the wheel rotates.
Ultimately, no entry into the competition was chosen, but the couple pressed on and eventually found partners willing to make the wheel a reality. British Airways funded the building that was carried out by construction firm Mace. Planning and building consent was granted for the Eye on the Thames in South Bank. Construction began in 1999 and pieces of the Eye were floated up the river to the site were they were assembled. Once the pieces were connected, the wheel was raised 2 degrees and hour until it reached 65 degrees, then left in that position for a week until it was raised the remainder of the way. Prime Minister Tony Blair opened the London Eye on 31 December 1999, but due to technical problems, no passengers were admitted to ride until 9 March 2000.
The finished product was 443 feet tall and 394 feet in diameter. Its thirty-two capsules (one for each London borough) permit passengers to view the city for twenty-five miles in any direction from its highest point. It offers the highest view of the city until the construction of the Shard was completed in 2013. Each of the capsules can hold twenty-five people, though special private flights can also be reserved. The London Eye carries approximately 15,000 passengers a day in what are called “flights” due to British Airways’ former ownership of the attraction.
British Airways, along with the Marks Barfield family, sold their interest in 2006 to the Tussauds Group, who were then acquired by Merlin Entertainment in 2007. Coca-Cola later bought the naming rights in 2014. Its taken on iconic status ever since its construction and has been the centre of many interesting moments, including its magician David Blaine who stood atop a capsule for an entire thirty minute flight in 2003. In 2005, it was a feature location for the first episode of the revamped Doctor Who, in which the episode’s villain used it as a communications dish. In 2013, thirty of the capsules were turned into mini-night clubs to celebrate club culture. Ultimately, it stands first and foremost as a city landmark and one of the best places for visitors to experience a breathtaking view of London.
Author: John Rabon
John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.
Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!
So in the future the symbol of London is to be a giant Ferris wheel. What is the message it will convey? “Life here is a fun fair!” “What goes up must come down!” And my personal favorite, “Blessed are those who go around in circles, for they shall be known as Wheels!”
I prefer Big Ben, myself.
I have become used to it and it really is a London icon now. When you see the opening sequence of Sherlock and other recent London based films you feel its truly part of the city scape now. The Shard will acquire the same status eventually. The only structure I would demolish is that awful cordless “telephone” down the river!
Agreed! The Eye is an appealing part of modern London’s cityscape! Also agree that 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie) is an ugly, topheavy eyesore. (And also dangerous, as its angle mirrors the sun for 2 hours a day, causing things in its glare to melt and scorch. Poor design from every aspect.)
London Eye is the new style in town. Make modern look to the old citadel. Many interesting places to visit in London. An interesting tale about the London Eye!
Being at the top of a giant Ferris wheel is not my idea of a fun way to see London.
This article was very intresting and was so helpful to my school project! Personally, I don’t think I’ll be going on a giant wheel anytine soon, though!