Board the UK’s most iconic landmark, the London Eye, to get mesmerized by the bird's eye view London offers. Make the most of your 30-min experience by getting a 360-degree view to spot London’s famous buildings like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and more. Here’s how to make the most of your viewing experience and truly appreciate the views from the London Eye.
Source: Travel360
To your immediate east, across the River Thames, stands the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament. Gaze upon its Gothic architecture and the Elizabeth Tower, housing the world-famous Big Ben.
Dominated by the city's historic core, including Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and the winding streets of Covent Garden. On a clear day, you might even spot Hampstead Heath in the distance.
Features the South Bank's cultural hub, including the Royal Festival Hall and Shakespeare's Globe. Beyond that, you'll see a mix of residential areas and green spaces stretching towards Croydon.
Reveals the financial heart of the city, with the towering skyscrapers of the City of London and Canary Wharf. The Gherkin, Cheesegrater, and Walkie Talkie buildings are prominent. The winding Thames also leads your eye towards Greenwich and the O2 Arena, giving you incredible views from the London Eye.
Showcases the royal and governmental districts. Beyond Buckingham Palace, you'll see Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, offering a vast expanse of green. The affluent areas of Mayfair and Belgravia also spread out below, completing the full London Eye 360-degree view.
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What to look out for:
From your vantage point, you'll see a panorama of London's most iconic landmarks. These include the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, The Shard, and the River Thames.
As you ascend, look east for the cluster of modern skyscrapers in the City of London (Gherkin, Walkie-Talkie, Cheesegrater) juxtaposed with St. Paul's Cathedral. At the peak of your rotation, the view directly north over the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey is iconic. As you descend, the views of the South Bank and the winding Thames become more prominent.
On an exceptionally clear day, the visibility from the London Eye can extend up to 40km (25 miles) in all directions. This allows you to see far beyond the immediate city centre, potentially spotting landmarks much further afield, such as Windsor Castle!
On a very clear day, it is possible to spot more distant landmarks like the O2 Arena, the Wembley Stadium, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower. Visibility for these more distant sites is highly dependent on weather conditions and atmospheric clarity, impacting what you can see from the London Eye.
Clear and sunny days are optimal for long-distance visibility and vibrant colours. On cloudy days, the view from the London Eye can still be impressive, with landmarks visible, though the colours might be more muted. Overcast days can sometimes offer unique, dramatic skies. On rainy days, visibility will be reduced, but the experience can still be atmospheric, with glistening wet surfaces and reflections. The enclosed pods protect you from the elements. Note that heavy fog can obscure the views from the London Eye, limiting visibility to only the immediate surroundings. While less ideal for panoramic viewing, it can create a surreal, ethereal atmosphere. Ultimately, many still find the experience worthwhile even in less-than-perfect weather, so it’s up to you!
To potentially experience less crowded pods and better views from the London Eye, consider visiting first thing in the morning when it opens or later in the evening, closer to closing time. It’s also best to visit during off-peak seasons (mid-week in autumn or winter, avoiding school holidays). There are also fewer crowds during traditional mealtimes (lunch, dinner).
The London Eye offers an incredible vantage point for many events. However, accessing the London Eye during major events like New Year's Eve is by special ticketed events only, which sell out far in advance. The London Eye is closed to the public during the actual fireworks ceremony. For parades, you might be able to see elements of them if they pass through areas visible from the Eye, but the view might be distant.
A standard rotation on the London Eye takes approximately 30 mins. This allows ample time to slowly ascend, enjoy the full London Eye 360-degree view as you reach the top, and then descend, giving you a comprehensive visual tour of the city.
Children typically find the views from the London Eye fascinating! The slow, smooth rotation and the enclosed pods make it a comfortable experience. Spotting familiar landmarks like Buckingham Palace or seeing London's red buses from above can be particularly thrilling for younger visitors.
While the primary appeal is visual, the London Eye is designed to be inclusive. Guests with visual impairments can still enjoy the sensation of elevation and movement, the changing sounds of the city below, and the general atmosphere.
