No matter how inveterate travelers we consider ourselves, there are still places that will beckon us every time with violent force. It can be some city, village, corner of nature or, say, an attraction. Yes, it turns out that it does. Don't believe? In vain … Here, for example, the London Eye. This sight deservedly can be attributed to the most famous modern technical facilities in the world.
In this article, we will not only talk about the Ferris wheel itself, the reader will get acquainted with the meaning of the phrase "London Eye" in English, learn about the history of construction, and also receive some practical advice on how to purchase tickets.
General description of the object
Literally, the name of the attraction can be translated into Russian as "London Eye". This is actually one of the most incredible sights in London, which is now no less famous than Big Ben or Tower Bridge. It was built in honor of the celebration of the new millennium. And now, few people know that it was originally planned to leave the London Eye for a maximum of five years, after whichhe should have been removed.
But the matter took a new turn, and the "Eye", in the end, became an integral part of the beautiful capital of Foggy Albion. Today, this building can often be seen in various films, for example, it played a key role in the movie "Doctor Who", while serving as far from being only a decoration.
Construction history
This piece of art was designed by David Macrs and his wife Julia Barfield. Alas, the project did not win in the Building for the New Millennium competition. They undoubtedly expected someone to order it, but over time they decided to build it on their own, that is, with their own savings.
Financial support provided by neighbor Bob Eling. Having received permission for the London Eye, the architects began construction. But according to the contract, as noted above, the "Eye" was supposed to stand for only five years, and in 2005 it had to be removed by all means.
It is known that parts of the Ferris wheel were transported along the river to the very construction site on special barges. Were all segments of the structure connected in a “lying” position on platforms? located on the water. After completion, it was raised to its place, but using a special technology, the rise was made only two degrees per hour.
The design of the London Eye is very heavy, with metal materials totaling about 1,700 tons in total weight.
Design and construction
The London Eye is the wheelreview, located in a very good location, in the city center on the banks of the River Thames. It has a total of 32 cabins for passengers, each cabin-capsule weighs a little more than 10 tons, has a rounded shape in the shape of an egg. This number is far from accidental, it represents the suburbs of London.
The circular rooms are air-conditioned and can accommodate up to 25 people. A full turn of the wheel takes about 30 minutes, it almost never stops, because thanks to the low speed people can enter the booths without difficulty. The wheel can only be stopped for the elderly to ensure their safety when entering or exiting the capsule. Outwardly, the structure looks like a bicycle wheel, as it is also supported by spokes.
In 2006, it was decided to replace all lighting with LED, which could be controlled by special devices.
We buy tickets without problems
When you see a sign with the sign “The London Eye”, you can safely go to the side of the attraction and, having found the cashier, take a queue. Tickets can be purchased both on the spot and through the official website. Note that in cyberspace they cost a little less. But there are also disadvantages when buying online: through the site you order a ticket for a specific date and time, and who knows what the weather will be like, because it changes at any moment in London.
Specially for this, they came up with a service that allows you to buy a ticket on a specific day, but for any time, or you can even purchase a ticket for a specific day. But thisthe service costs a little more. An adult ticket today costs just over 19 British pounds, and a child ticket is about 12.
If you wish, you can also join the guide for a fee. You can also rent a London Eye capsule for a separate company, for lovers or even for various banquets (the cost is more than 4000 pounds per hour).
