London Eye

The Tube is London's underground (or subway) system, a vast network of tunnels and trains that will get you nearly everywhere in London that you want to go. This system, opened in 1863, was the first of its kind, and includes the world’s first tunnel under a river.

There has been a walkway crossing the river Thames at the site of the Golden Jubilee Bridges since 1845 when Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a Victorian engineer who built many of the UK’s famous bridges, opened his suspension footbridge.

This latest footbridge opened in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. It is in fact two pedestrian bridges running along either side of the Hungerford Railway bridge, connecting London’s South Bank with Charing Cross Railway Station.

As you walk across the Golden Jubilee Bridge, turn and look down river. The stone bridge you see is the Waterloo Bridge. This is the second Waterloo Bridge, opened in 1942. The first was torn down due to water damage. 

The clocktower known as Big Ben, renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, was completed in 1859. It stands 96 meters high. Its great bell weighs 13 tons, and the clock is 7 meters across.

Next to the Elizabeth Tower is the Palace of Westminster—the meeting place for Parliament. Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet inside. Much of the original building was destroyed by fires in 1512 and 1834.

The Jubilee Gardens were re-opened in May 2012 just before Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, after four years of development of green park, flower beds, pathways and seating, trees and a playground.

The gardens are owned and maintained by a charity made up of local businesses and the community.

The park at Jubilee Gardens was originally created in 1977 to celebrate the Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. After the gardens were damaged from the construction of the Jubilee Tube line, what was left was turned into a public park.

As you explore Jubilee Gardens, pay attention to the trees. Over 90 trees, including English Oaks, lime, and beech trees, were carefully planted. If you visit during flower season, you’ll also see brilliant beds of flowers winding throughout the park.

The tall building here is the Shell Centre, a headquarters of the Shell Oil Company. The building was built in 1961 and is 107 meters tall. As you gaze up, you’ll count 27 stories, but there are three levels underground. 

The London Eye is on the River Thames' South Bank, across the water from the Palace of Westminster near Westminster Bridge. There are 32 capsules on this massive Ferris wheel, and each can carry up to 25 people. On average, 15,000 visitors ride the London Eye every day.

The London Eye stands 135 meters tall and has a diameter of 120 meters. Erected in 1999 for the millennium celebrations, it’s currently the fourth tallest Ferris wheel in the world. There’s one passenger capsule for each London Borough.

While waiting in line, you’ll see County Hall standing to the left. Built in the early 20th century, it originally housed London’s local government offices. Today, there are businesses, an arcade, the London Sea Life Aquarium, and several exhibition rooms.

The flowing River Thames is 330 km long. It’s the longest river in England. The Thames is alive with activity, both along its banks and on its waters. As you look across, you’ll see rowing and sailing clubs pass by.

The Eye revolves from east to west, so your first views are towards the east: London's business district. Although the Thames runs through the heart of Greater London, at least 90% of the buildings and sights of interest are north of the river. 

Visible from the Eye are Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Just below the Eye, on the north bank, is Cleopatra's Needle, which may be London's oldest monument, having started "life" in ancient Egypt.

From the top of the Eye, if the skies are clear, you can see up to 40 kilometers in all directions. Look west toward the Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower. At dusk, the tower’s clock faces are lit.

Look closely and you can make out Cleopatra’s Needle. Given to the U.K. in 1819 as a gift from Egypt, it’s made of red granite, stands 21 meters high, weighs 180 tons, and is about 3,500 years old.

From the Eye, keep a lookout for Waterloo Station, one of London’s main railway stations and the busiest terminal. Look closely and you might see trains. The station was opened in 1922, replacing a smaller station on the same site.