In March we played host to a French exchange student, meaning we became tourists in our own city.  Although we had been on the London Eye twice in the past, London’s ever-changing skyline means each new visit offers new sights.

It’s an impressive structure, standing at 443 feet tall and with a diameter of 394 feet.  When it was constructed in 1999 it was the largest ferris wheel in the world.  It held that title for seven years before the Star of Nanchang (525 feet tall) took its crown, but as at 2015 it remains the largest ferris wheel in Europe.

Because it stands on the south bank of the River Thames it is not hemmed in by other buildings.  It offers fantastic views up and down the river.

In every direction London’s iconic structures spring into view.  St Paul’s Cathedral; the City of London; Canary Wharf; the Walkie-Talkie (which reflected the sun’s rays and melted cars when it first opened, until a screen was put over it); Downing Street; The Shard; the Houses of Parliament – they are all laid out for you to see.

But some of the best views, I think, are of the Eye itself.

It’s great to be a tourist in your own city.  We should do it more often.

Points in this post (copy and paste the co-ordinates into Google Earth):

• The London Eye:     N 51° 30.200 W 000° 07.180
  

Trip Statistics:

• Date of Visit: 8 February 2015