25 YEARS OF HISTORY
The London Eye began as an entry to The Millennial Competition organised by the Architecture Foundation with the Sunday Times. David Marks and Julia Barfield, the renowned husband-and-wife architecture team, proposed a giant observation wheel for London's millennium celebration. Although their entry didn't win the competition, they pursued the project independently, securing press coverage from the Evening Standard and financial backing from British Airways, leading to the creation of the London Eye.
Since 2000, the London Eye has shone a light on many historical moments. It lit up for the first-ever London-wide lightshow display for the LGBTQ+ movement in 2015, Clap for Carers during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and lights up annual to support the Show Racism the Red Card movement. Most recently, to celebrate the King’s Coronation in 2023, one of the Eye’s pods was decorated to look just like Westminster Abbey in all its royal splendour!
25 YEARS OF CELEBRATIONS
Built for the millennium and the host of London’s biggest annual showcase, New Years Eve, the London Eye has celebration in the fabric of its DNA. From lighting up in celebration of Eurovision, Pride in London, to partnering with LCAA to host the annual Lion Dance in celebration of Chinese New Year, we’re proud to represent London.
Situated in the heart of the Capital, the Eye has honoured many pop culture moments from movie premieres such as Barbie, Sonic 3 and Dr Who to icons like Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Kate Moss and royalty. The London Eye will forever pay homage to London’s great historical and cultural moments, whilst also celebrating all the people who make London the incredible city that it is – YOU.
25 YEARS OF ADVENTURES
The London Eye is a place where adventure is elevated to new heights – quite literally at 135m high. From Mo Farah doing the iconic ‘Mobot’ atop the pods to celebrate his retirement and the Kenney couple wishing Team GB good luck ahead of Olympics, to Sir Geoff Hurst looking out to Wembley atop the Eye in support of England ahead of the Euro 2020 final. Daredevil Tom Cruise even challenged Newsreporter, Sally Williams, to become the first reporter to present the weather on top of a pod in 2024.
To many the Eye is a gradual rotation of stunning 360 degree unparallelled-views of the city, but to the ultimate thrill seeker the London Eye has become home to some of the most death-defying stunts in UK history. In 2013 Jonathan Goodwin took centre stage as he performed a heart-pounding stunt hung from the Eye in a straitjacket with only minutes to escape. Fast forward 8 years to a James Bond stunt double suspending themselves from one of the capsules in 2021. The thrill here never stops!
25 YEARS OF ROMANCE
Situated in the heart of the city, the London Eye has taken love to new heights. From unparallelled views watching the sunset over our beautiful city, to the twinkling lights of the cityscape at night, there’s no wonder the Eye has seen and celebrated over 6000 proposals! Moments have included a live proposal on Good Morning Britain in 2015 and featuring on BBC’s Eastenders when Jim Branning proposed to Dot Cotton in one of the capsules in 2021.
The captivating 360 view of the Capital has captured the hearts of many, witnessing dates from Justin and Hayley Bieber in 2018 and hosting Bobby and Jasmine’s final date on Love is Blind UK in 2024.
“The ingredients of the London Eye are simple – a universal desire to see the Earth and cities from a great height, and the natural fascination with scale, daring structure and beauty.”
Timeline
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Grand vision realised
The London Eye began as an entry to The Millenial Competition organised by the Architecture Foundation with the Sunday Times. David Marks and Julia Barfield, the renowned husband-and-wife architecture team, proposed a giant observation wheel for London's millennium celebration. Although their entry didn't win the competition, they pursued the project independently, leading to the creation of the London Eye.
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Millennium debut
On New Year's Eve 1999, the London Eye completed its first full rotation without passengers, bringing in the new century. Officially opened to the public on March 9, 2000, it quickly became London's iconic symbol, offering guests unparalleled views of the city.
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Most popular paid attraction
The London Eye became the UK's most popular paid attraction beating attractions like Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral.
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Global Icon
The London Eye had established itself as a global icon. So much so, globally renowned brands were beginning to use the structure to launch their products in rather unique ways!
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Time for an Upgrade!
The team worked for several years to prepare for the 2012 Olympics. Each of the 32 capsules was carefully removed, floated down the Thames to Tilbury Docks, and transported to Worcester for upgrades, including new heating, ventilation, and entertainment systems.
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Olympic Torch atop the London Eye
During the Olympic torch relay, Amelia Hempleman-Adams stood atop a London Eye capsule, holding the torch 135 meters above the city. At 16, she had become the youngest person to ski to the South Pole.
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London Eye Illuminates for Pride
The London Eye celebrated London’s LGBTQ+ community by illuminating in rainbow colours for pride celebrations, joining landmarks like Wembley’s iconic arch. It was the first-ever display of solidarity from London's skyline, highlighting the city's commitment to diversity.
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Royals Champion Mental Health
To mark World Mental Health Day, Prince William, Prince Harry, and The Duchess of Cambridge hosted mental health advocates at the London Eye, engaging in discussions to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
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Mo Farah's Iconic Farewell
The London Eye went sports crazy, getting involved in many sporty celebrations. World-renowned British athlete, Sir Mo Farah, bid farewell to a career in athletics by performing his signature pose – on top of the London Eye!
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Mary Poppins Returns to the London Skyline
To celebrate the return of Mary Poppins, a brave stunt artist took a trip on top of one of The London Eye’s pods – recreating a famous scene from the 1964 classic. Did you spot her famous umbrella soaring over London?
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A Gardener's Eye
In honour of The Chelsea Flower Show, a pod was decked out with the most gorgeous and immersive flower arrangements imaginable. The aptly named “A Gardener’s Eye”, had a floral standing swing chair for visitors to relax while enjoying panoramic views of London.
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20th Anniversary Milestone!
To celebrate, the London Eye hosted the “ultimate party” by transforming 20 pods into 'immersive experiences'. These included an old-fashioned pub, a throne room and a live theatre. The remaining pods played host to a variety of one-off experiences that celebrated culture, the arts and entertainment of London.
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Tribute to NHS Heroes
The London Eye lit up blue alongside famous landmarks like the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium to pay tribute to our NHS heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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London Eye Hosts Earthshot Prize Awards
The London Eye welcomed HRH The Duke of Cambridge for the inaugural Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, celebrating innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
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Daring James Bond Stunt
Ahead of the premiere of 'No Time To Die', a stuntman dressed as James Bond was suspended hundreds of feet above the ground, climbing and hanging from a ladder attached to one of the pods.
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Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the London Eye transformed one of its pods into a 1950s-style pub. Visitors were transported back in time to the Queen's coronation day, grabbing one of her favourite tipples to celebrate her 70th year on the throne.
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Coronation Capsule for King Charles III
In honour of the Coronation of King Charles III a ‘Coronation Capsule’ was created. Replicating the Westminster Abbey experience, allowing guests to sit in a recreation of the 700-year-old Coronation Chair and hold replicas of the Crown Jewels including St. Edward's Crown, the Sovereign's Orb and the Sovereign's Sceptre.
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Premiere
The London Eye welcomed famous faces including Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves for the premiere of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The cast lit the Eye blue, ahead of attending the Leicester Square premiere.
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25th Anniversary Partnership
The London Eye kicks off it’s 25th anniversary year by officially partnering with the Mayor of London’s New Year’s firework spectacle!
