How Big Are the Pods on the London Eye?

By Robert Palmer

Have you ever wondered how big the pods on the London Eye really are? As one of the most iconic landmarks in London, the London Eye attracts millions of visitors each year who are eager to take a ride on one of its 32 pods. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the size and capacity of these pods.

The Basics

The London Eye stands at an incredible height of 135 metres (443 feet) and has a diameter of 120 metres (394 feet). The wheel is made up of 32 capsules, or pods, each measuring 10 metres (33 feet) in length and 3.95 metres (13 feet) in width. The entire structure weighs in at a whopping 2,100 tonnes!

Capacity

Each pod on the London Eye has a capacity for up to 25 people. This means that at full capacity, the London Eye can hold up to 800 people at once! However, due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the number of passengers per pod has been reduced to ensure social distancing measures are followed.

Interior Design

The interior design of each pod is just as impressive as its size. The pods feature air conditioning for comfort during hot summer days and heating for colder winter days. They also have bench seating around the edge of the pod so that visitors can take in all angles of the stunning views from different perspectives.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that each pod on the London Eye represents one of London’s boroughs? The pods are numbered from 1 to 33 – with no number 13 – but they are also named after each borough they represent.

  • Pod number 1: Westminster
  • Pod number 2: Lambeth
  • Pod number 3: Southwark
  • Pod number 4: Lewisham
  • Pod number 5: Wandsworth
  • Pod number 6: Camden
  • Pod number 7: Greenwich
  • Pod number 8: Hackney
  • Pod number 9: Tower Hamlets
  • Pod number 10: Islington
  • Pod number 11: Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Pod number 12: Kensington and Chelsea
  • Pod number 14: Barking and Dagenham
  • Pod number 15: Brent
  • Pod number 16: Harrow
  • Pod number 17: Hillingdon
  • Pod number 18: Hounslow
  • Pod number 19: Ealing
  • Pod number 20: Redbridge

The London Eye Experience

A ride on the London Eye lasts approximately 30 minutes, during which visitors can take in stunning panoramic views of London’s skyline. From the top of the wheel, you can see landmarks such as Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London.

In conclusion, the pods on the London Eye are an impressive feat of engineering, with each pod measuring an incredible length of 10 metres (33 feet) and a width of almost four metres. With a capacity for up to 25 people per pod and impressive interior design features such as air conditioning and heating, a ride on the London Eye is truly an unforgettable experience.