Old and New in London: From Big Ben to the London Eye

Old and New in London: From Big Ben to the London Eye - 23rd Aug 2024

Old and New in the UK

From the London Eye, you can see Big Ben, which is located on the north side of Westminster Palace. It is a clock tower approximately 96 meters tall. Its official name is the Elizabeth Tower, and it was completed in 1930. The building is designed in the Gothic Revival style. On the other hand, to the right of the London Eye, you can see the Golden Jubilee Bridges. These pedestrian suspension bridges were completed in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, flanking the Hungerford railway bridge.

The London Eye is a Ferris wheel about 135 meters high. On a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of London's major sights, including Big Ben. From the observation capsules, you can see Westminster, Hyde Park, St. James's Park, and even the distant cityscape. Big Ben is positioned slightly to the left when viewed from the wheel.

On fine days and during nighttime when the tower is lit up, you can appreciate the intricate details of Big Ben and the enchanting atmosphere created by the illumination.
The ride lasts about 30 minutes, during which you can enjoy breathtaking views of London, its historic buildings, parks, and lush greenery—truly a delightful way to experience the beautiful scenery of London.

When taking photos, I found the glass windows of the capsules to be quite a hindrance. The glass isn't perfectly transparent, which can adversely affect the quality of the photos taken with my camera lens. I understand that removing the windows for safety reasons isn't feasible, but I was really hoping I could capture images directly without the glass barrier.