The British Airways London Eye is currently world's tallest observation wheel at 135m high and offers amazing views over London from the banks of the River Thames.

The London Eye stands 135 metres( 443 feet) high on the western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the South Bank  between Westminster and Hungerford bridges

Originally known as the Millenium Wheel, and dubbed the London Wheel, it opened at the turn of the century and has become an iconic landmark comparable in status to Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

The wheel carries 32 passengers in sealed and air-conditioned  capsules. Each capsule holds approximately 25 people. It rotates at 10 inches per second meaning one revolution takes about 30 minutes. The wheel does not usually stop to take on passengers as it travels so slow that people can easily walk on and off easily but does stop, however, to allow disabled or elderly passengers time to get in and out safely.

It has become the most popular paid for UK visitor attraction, visited by over 3.5 million people a year. An amazing feat of design and engineering means passengers in the London Eye can see up to 40 kilometres in all directions.  Book in advance to beat queues - tickets can be booked on line here.