From Westminster Bridge, you spot it before you’ve even arrived: the big white wheel standing on the south bank of the Thames, directly across from Big Ben and Parliament. The London Eye was on the itinerary for our June 2026 trip to London, sandwiched between an afternoon at the Tower of London and a few museums. Thirty minutes suspended above the city, and it’s worth the detour.
The wheel hasn’t always gone by this name. Originally called the Millennium Wheel, it was designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield for the turn of the millennium, unveiled on 31 December 1999 by Tony Blair, and only opened to the public on 9 March 2000, once the final adjustments were finished. It was meant to stay up for five years. More than twenty-five years later, it’s still there: at 135 metres tall, it was for a long time the world’s tallest observation wheel, and it remains one of the UK’s most visited paid attractions.
The 32 capsules, one for each London borough, never stop: the wheel turns continuously at a slow, steady pace, slow enough to load and unload passengers without ever pausing the rotation. A full rotation takes about thirty minutes. From up there, you can pick out Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament directly below, St Paul’s Cathedral a bit further off, and on a clear day, the towers of the City and Canary Wharf out on the horizon.
Good to know
Don’t miss
Book online ahead of time: tickets run about £10 cheaper per adult than at the ticket office, and it saves you the queue during peak hours. For the best light, aim for a rotation in the late afternoon or just before sunset, it completely changes the view over the city.
What our daughter loved
Teenager that she is, she settled for calling it “pretty cool,” but it really was great seeing everything from up that high. London’s red buses turn into toys, and the landmarks look like scale models.
The real upsides for kids
If your kids are older
The half-hour rotation is just the right length to hold their attention without wearing them out, and spotting London’s landmarks from above quickly turns into a game. A city map or an app with a sightseeing overlay turns the ride into a little spotting challenge.
If your kids are under 8
Thirty minutes can feel long for younger kids, especially with no way to get off partway through. That said, the rotation is very slow and gentle, with no sense of vertigo or motion sickness. Make a toilet stop before boarding: there aren’t any inside the capsules.
Gallery
London Eye: FAQ
How long does a rotation on the London Eye take?
A full rotation takes about thirty minutes. The wheel doesn’t stop for boarding; it turns slowly enough for passengers to get on and off while it’s moving.
What are the ticket prices?
Tickets start at around €28 online. Fast Track options with priority boarding and a Champagne package with a glass during the ride are available for an extra fee. Combined tickets with the Tower of London, a Thames cruise, or Madame Tussauds can often bring the total price down.
Do you need to book in advance?
It’s not required, but strongly advised: online tickets are cheaper than at the counter and guarantee a time slot, especially in high season.
What are the opening hours?
The London Eye is open every day from 10am to 8:30pm.
How do you get to the London Eye?
The nearest tube station is Waterloo, about a 5-minute walk away, served by the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines. Westminster, a 7-minute walk across the bridge, works just as well.
Why is it called the London Eye and not the Millennium Wheel?
Originally named the Millennium Wheel for the turn of the millennium, it was quickly renamed the London Eye by the public and the press, a name that eventually became official.
Practical Information
Details
The London Eye Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Open every day from 10am to 8:30pm.