London from Above - Part I
One fine day, I decided to 'see' London. I mean just 'see', not explore or visit or roam about or anything! Just 'see'... You get that???? Just 'see' it from above!!! It was my day of heights and I went to 3 places where I could reach atop London and see the spectacular view of the splendid city. Here's Part I with one of the places - Coco Cola London Eye!
The best way to start experiencing London Eye is with the 4D Experience. Outside the 4D hall is this film on loop that talks about how London Eye was built. It was definitely a worthy 5 minutes, with the 4th D being bubbles, snow (foams), fog (mist), and fireworks (lighting effects)!!! Until a bubble popped on me, I didn't even realize that was real and not in the video! I suggest watch this before you get into the 'eye'!!!
Opened to public in the year 2000, it was the World's Largest / Tallest (135m tall, 120m diameter) Ferry Wheel since then till 2006 (taken over by 3 more since then). Still it is the largest in UK & Europe!!! Standing on the banks of river Thames this has 32 capsules and takes about 30 mins per rotation. The construction was pretty interesting with the several number of days the wheel were raised from ground and left hanging midway for a couple months on-site, to the Thames transport of the capsules which were built off-site!
The capsules are air conditioned and open to the East and open/close for about a minute when its almost touching the ground. Its slow enough to get on/off while its moving (yes, after the ride, inertia is evident!). At the max each can carry 25 people. However the best part is you can hire the entire capsule all for yourself if you want to treat someone or just your soulmate (may be with some champagne and truffles!!) or maybe to even pop the 'question' & get engaged in London Eye.
To Get There:
Nearest railway station: Westminster & Waterloo.
Entry Ticket: Varies from £21.20 per adult to £8500.00 per capsule!
Available to buy online on their website.
Photos come only with a souvenir album that costs £20 - £25
I really wish they come up with cheaper options like £2-3 digital transfer!
I'm sure almost no one would mind paying £2 than £20 which is almost the ticket's cost!!!
Entry Ticket: Varies from £21.20 per adult to £8500.00 per capsule!
Available to buy online on their website.
Photos come only with a souvenir album that costs £20 - £25
I really wish they come up with cheaper options like £2-3 digital transfer!
I'm sure almost no one would mind paying £2 than £20 which is almost the ticket's cost!!!
P.S: I was invited by London Eye to experience it for review purpose, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
Dedicated to Venkat
Thanks for this very comprehensive post about the London Eye. I have learned so much from it. And your idea as a venue for a proposal is so neat I have to share this with my friends.
ReplyDeleteThe view is really breathtaking from up there. I still have to take a trip to London. Reading through your post makes me want to go there soon.
ReplyDeleteI had an amazing time when I visited. Your day was a lot clearer than mine as well. Guess I should have waited until closer to summer to visit. Loved it up there and next time we go back to London, I'm definitely doing it again.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best way to see London and it's beautiful architecture. I love the view from the top and it's definitely one of the things you must do when you visit. Thanks for sharing your experience. I enjoyed seeing the photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. I would love to try the 4D experience. It sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteIf ever I go to London and get pressed for time, I'm going up the London Eye. It offers such a great view of a lot of tourist spots!
ReplyDeleteLondon is the pioneer when it comes to ferry's wheel structure that can be used for tourism. London Eye can give you a different vantage for London.
ReplyDeleteLondon Eye is gorgeous! I remember making a scale model of this for school! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a fear of heights but I wanna ride the London Eye.It must be an awesome experience. I mean if I were in London, forget about my fear of heights, i am gonna ride it!
ReplyDeleteYour post keep on reminding me about my stay in London and it is refreshing to see all these beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteLondon Eye! So that's what it's called. I saw it in the last Fantastic Four movie with the A-list cast, Jessica Alba who was the Invisible woman was trying to lift it or something. I bet London looks great from up there.
ReplyDeleteall these kind of tourist attraction will squeeze every single cent out of the poor tourist, especially with sale of photographs. £20 - £25 is really exorbitant!
ReplyDeleteSo costly, I do not really plan to ride these ferris wheels in any city I go to. I know this London Eye is particularly iconic, but those prices are really exorbitant. I'd rather spend them somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteNo offense, but do you think that as the world get more urbanised, the cityscape somehow seem more or less the same? Just thought about it while admiring the nice views...
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of extreme activities, I wanted to try the London Eye. It looks so exciting. A must try
ReplyDeleteSome years ago in SG, we were missing something awesome like London Eye. Now we have our Singapore Flyer. Yes, it is great to see the world from a giant ferry wheel.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Thanks for sharing this. Got to know a lot about this striking place!
ReplyDeleteIt really did give a good view of the city , i remember this ferris wheel form the movie fantastic 4
ReplyDeleteWow! You made it! I heard the line to get to the top is super long. The beautiful view is worth all the waiting. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, how I would love to visit the London Eye someday. It was built so many years after I left UK for home. For now, I'm just contented with going up on the Singapore Flyer, hehe!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever go to London I will definitely go for the London Eye. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteI think the last time I went to London was 2000 and the Eye had only just opened and was booked up until way into the next year, hah! It looks like the views are incredible, though, I'd love to go on it if I ever end up going to London again :)
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours
Interesting.
ReplyDelete