London Eye is a famous ride on the south bank of the River Thames in London, England. The eye is a cantilevered observation wheel, a Ferris wheel-like ride anchored on one side, rather than two. The London Eye was completed in 1999. The wheel was meant to commemorate the turning of the millennium (1000-year period). It is also known as the Millennium Wheel. The London Eye is one of the city’s main attractions.
The architecture firm Marks Barfield came up with the idea and design for the London Eye. The landmark stands 443 feet (135 meters) tall. When built, it was the tallest observation wheel in the world. Visitors ride in 32 capsules. The number of capsules represents the number of boroughs (divisions) in London. One rotation of the wheel takes about 30 minutes. At the top, visitors can see about 25 miles (40 kilometers) around the city.
The wheel was meant to be a temporary structure. But, it became so popular that it was left standing. Millions of people visit the London Eye each year.
