The London Eye, opposite the Houses of Parliament is usually one of the first attractions on visitors' sightseeing itineraries. A 30 minute 'flight' offers clear views to the periphery of London and is a good way of establishing visitors' bearings, since the entire city is laid out before you. A certain amount of time spent queuing is inevitable since The London Eye is very popular with tourists and Brits alike, though it is well worth the wait. An unpopular proposal, the initial plan was to scrap the wheel after five years, but it has proved so popular, both as an experience, but also as a part of the London skyline, that those plans were shelved (the Eiffel Tower in Paris was due a similar fate in its day).

After the excitement of The London Eye, it's possible to either combine the visit with a river cruise, or simply take a river bus. The cruise takes a circular 40 minute route that will return you to your starting point - the pier in front of The London Eye. Or you can buy a Roamer ticket (cheaper) which will allow you to 'hop on/hop off' between stops on a designated route. This has the advantage of allowing you to visit a further location, without being beholden to a schedule, or time limit.

It's worth remembering that London was built 2,000 years ago when the river was the dominant form of transport, so many of the grandest residences such as The Palace at Westminster and Somerset House look their best from the river.

If you're especially brave you can take a rib trip up the Thames at high speed or for those with more stamina - you can take a longer cruise by the Thames to Greenwich, Kew Gardens or Hampton Court Palace.

London Eye - Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB.

Waterloo, Embankment or Westminster Tube.

Call: 0870 5000 600

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