The London Eye, sometimes called the Millennium Wheel, is the first-built and largest observation wheel in the world and has been since its opening at the end of 1999. It stands 135 metres (443 feet) high on the western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the South Bank of the River Thames in Lambeth, London, England, between Westminster and Hungerford Bridges. It is adjacent to London's County Hall, and stands opposite the offices of the Ministry of Defence situated in Westminster which it overlooks to the west.

Designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, the wheel carries 32 sealed, air conditioned, passenger capsules attached to its external circumference. It rotates at a rate of 0.26 metres per second so that one revolution takes about 30 minutes to complete. The wheel does not usually stop to take on passengers; the rotation rate is so slow that passengers can easily walk on and off the moving capsules at ground level. It is, however, stopped on occasion to allow disabled or elderly passengers time to alight safely. Structurally the Eye resembles a huge spoked bicycle wheel, and was depicted as such in a poster advertising a charity cycle race.

Official website: London Eye

Feel the wind in your hair

Giving audiences the chance to sample some special sensory effects throughout the film, the 4D cinema at The London Eye includes gentle breezes that blow through your hair, as well as snow that falls at your feet. Other special effects include shaking ground, bubbles and even different smells and aromas including the smell of the famous New Year's Eve fireworks that appear to drift from the images on screen.

4D Cinema at The London Eye

The specially designed cinema beside the iconic riverside attraction cost £5 million to construct, but all visitors taking a flight on the giant observation wheel can watch the four minute film beforehand as part of the standard admission ticket price. The film at The London Eye includes the first ever 3D aerial footage of the city giving a unique bird's eye view of St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Gherkin and even the top of the The London Eye.

The Story

Written and produced exclusively for the 4D cinema at The London Eye, the film was specially commissioned by Merlin Entertainments and will appeal to Londoners and tourists of any nationality. The 3D film follows the story of a little girl and her father as they take a flight on The London Eye. Viewers can join in with all the fun as the pair experience parties in the capsules, gaze at London from a bird's eye view, enjoy the New Year's Eve fireworks display at The London Eye, and watch as snow falls across the capital.

Top soundtrack

With music from Coldplay and Goldfrapp featuring in the film's soundtrack and accompanying all the 3D action, there's plenty to please all ages at the new attraction at The London Eye. Admission to the film is included in the standard ticket price, which means that visitors can get even more for their money in the run up to The London Eye's tenth birthday in 2010.

The 4D cinema at The London Eye is open to the public from Wednesday 12th August 2009. Tickets for a flight on The London Eye cost £17.00 for adults and £8.50 for children aged 4 - 15. Admission for children under 4 years old is free. Please note that the 4D cinema is not recommended for children under 2 years old. For more information on tickets, call 0870 5000 6000.