The London Eye: A Slow-Moving Love Story in the Sky

Ah, the London Eye. That giant spinning wheel of steel and glass that dominates the South Bank skyline. Tourists adore it, Londoners tolerate it, and pigeons probably see it as a giant roundabout in the sky. But beyond being an iconic landmark and a selfie magnet, this oversized bicycle wheel has its fair share of quirks.

First off, it was never meant to last this long. Back in 1999, it was erected as part of the grand Millennium celebrations with a mere five-year lease. Yet here we are, decades later, still watching it crawl round at the speed of an elderly tortoise. Londoners have accepted it like an old, eccentric uncle who just refuses to leave the party. Originally a symbol of modernity and progress, it has now become a familiar, if slightly baffling, part of the city’s fabric. It’s one of those things you don’t really notice after a while—until you find yourself explaining it to a tourist who can’t believe how slow it moves.

Speaking of its speed, this is not your average fairground ride. Forget the adrenaline rush of a Ferris wheel whizzing you into the sky – the London Eye moves at the thrilling velocity of 26 centimetres per second. That’s slower than a snail with ambition. But there’s a method to this madness. The wheel never stops turning, allowing people to step on and off without the need for dramatic pauses. It’s a bit like boarding a very slow-moving treadmill, but with significantly better views. In fact, a full rotation takes about 30 minutes, so you could probably read an entire chapter of a novel while slowly gliding over the Thames. If you’re after a high-speed thrill, this is not your ride. Instead, it’s an extended, peaceful opportunity to stare wistfully over London and contemplate life decisions.

Technically, it’s not even a Ferris wheel. It may look like one, but in the world of engineering pedantry, it’s actually a cantilevered observation wheel. Unlike its classic Ferris counterparts, the London Eye is only supported on one side, making it the world’s largest unsupported wheel. It’s basically doing a permanent one-handed push-up over the Thames. This design makes it unique, though most visitors don’t give a second thought to the engineering marvel that allows them to hover over London in a glorified fishbowl. Architects, however, might shed a tear of admiration.

Now, here’s a fun fact for the superstitious: there is no capsule number 13. The designers decided to skip it entirely, because apparently, nobody wants to be suspended hundreds of feet in the air in a glass pod labelled with an unlucky number. Whether or not skipping 13 actually reduces the chance of bad luck remains unproven, but it’s a nice placebo for nervous passengers. One can only imagine the quiet sighs of relief when people see they’ve been assigned to capsule 14 instead of the dreaded non-existent 13.

Before the Shard rudely entered the scene in 2013, the London Eye was the highest public viewing point in the city. It held onto that title proudly, letting visitors soak in the sweeping views of the capital. Even now, at 135 metres, it still offers one of the best vantage points in town – if you’re willing to share it with strangers clutching their audio guides like lifelines. On a clear day, you can see as far as Windsor Castle, which is roughly 40 kilometres away. That is, if the famously moody British weather allows it. More often than not, the experience is enhanced by misty horizons and a light drizzle—classic London.

Building the thing was no small feat either. Instead of being constructed upright, it was assembled horizontally on floating platforms in the Thames before being hoisted into position. Imagine putting together an IKEA wardrobe, but on water, and with the entire city watching. No pressure. The process took months, and given the unpredictable British weather, it’s a miracle it didn’t end up as a very expensive submarine. Engineering teams had to ensure that every component was precisely balanced before it was slowly rotated into its final position—a delicate, nerve-wracking procedure that probably aged some of the engineers by a decade.

The design itself is based on a bicycle wheel. Those steel cables stretching across the structure aren’t just there for aesthetic appeal – they’re keeping the whole thing together through tension, much like the spokes on your old mountain bike. A very, very large, incredibly expensive mountain bike. The idea was to keep the structure as lightweight as possible while ensuring maximum stability, because nobody wants to be stuck in a wobbling capsule over the Thames. If it did sway even slightly, you’d have a lot of panicked tourists reconsidering their life choices mid-air.

As expected from something so monumental, the London Eye has seen its fair share of wild moments. Over the years, it’s been used for weddings, yoga sessions, and lavish dining experiences. It’s even hosted celebrity parties. Nothing quite says exclusivity like drinking champagne in a slowly rotating glass pod while peasants below stare up at you in mild envy. There have even been stunts involving extreme sports – a BMX rider once performed tricks on top of a capsule, because apparently, spinning 135 metres above the city wasn’t quite exciting enough. It’s also been the site of some rather memorable proposals, though one has to wonder how many of those ended in awkward silences halfway through the ride.

And yes, if sipping bubbly while floating above the city is your idea of a good time, there’s a VIP Champagne Experience available. Because nothing complements a panoramic view of London quite like overpriced fizz served at altitude. For those seeking romance, this is a prime proposal spot – though be warned, once you’re in that capsule, there’s no escaping for a good 30 minutes if the answer isn’t what you were hoping for. It’s also seen its fair share of breakups, because nothing says “it’s over” like staring in awkward silence while being gently rotated back to earth. It’s a place of heightened emotions—whether for love, adventure, or just pure terror if you’re not fond of heights.

Despite all its quirks, there’s no denying that the London Eye has cemented itself as one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. It’s slow, it’s occasionally overpriced, and it wasn’t even meant to be here this long – but London wouldn’t quite be the same without it. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Londoner who’s finally caved and decided to give it a go, there’s something undeniably magical about seeing the city unfold beneath you, one slow, deliberate rotation at a time. The Eye may not move fast, but somehow, time still seems to fly while you’re up there.