 The
London Eye
 The
London Eye is the world's tallest observation wheel giving passengers
views right across the capital city. Located on the South Bank
of the Thames, it stands at 135 metres high and takes 30 minutes
for one revolution. The viewing distance, on a clear day, is
25 miles.
It was designed by architects
David Marks and Julia Barfield who, before starting their own
company, worked for innovative architects, Sir Richard Rogers
and Lord Norman Foster.
In 1995 the Sunday Times
newspaper ran a competition in partnership with the Architecture
Foundation for a Millennium Landmark for London. In response,
Marks and Barfield had the idea of an observation wheel and
set to work to develop the idea and address the practicalities.
Another newspaper, the Evening Standard, took up and
publicised their idea and British Airways offered sponsorship.
To travel round
London, have a look at the London Pass. If you choose the transport
option all
your journeys on public transport within zones 1-6 are paid for.
One day transport Pass starts from 9.30 am. Multi-day Passes are
valid from midnight to midnight. For more information click here:
Londonpass
Unfortunately, due to a problem
with one of its unique capsules, it was not working in time for
31st December 1999 but was running and carrying passengers a month
later.
The London Eye is meant to be
a temporary structure but its great and continuing popularity
ever since it opened might result in the same decision as was
taken on that other great world famous temporary structure,
the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Quick
Facts
Booking
Internet booking - click here
Telephone booking - 0870 5000
600
There is a 50p per ticket booking
fee for using these services.
Prices from 1st October -
31st December 2001
Adult £9.00
Child (under 16) £5.00
Senior Citizen 60+ £7.00
Registered Disabled £7.00
Prices are slightly more expensive
during the remainder of September.
Opening Times
10th September - 30th December (except Christmas Day) - 10:00am
- 8:00pm
Education
The British
Airways site, the London Eye's main sponsor, provides an information
pack for teachers and students doing Key Stage 3 Design
and Technology. Unfortunately, because the site uses frames,
that will take you to the opening page. Enter the site, then
look under the 'World of the Eye' and then 'Education'.
Copyright © 2001 by Carol
Fisher.
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