ArcelorMittal Orbit London: FAQs

By Matthew Pearson

What is the ArcelorMittal Orbit, London?

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The ArcelorMittal Orbit, London is Britain’s largest piece of public art and tallest sculpture. Built to celebrate and commemorate the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, the structure is now a fixture of the East London skyline. It has reopened as an observation tower, with two viewing platforms. It’s also a popular ride: you can whizz down the structure in the world’s longest tunnel slide.

How long is the tunnel and how long does the ride last?

The tunnel is 178 metres long and it takes you on a 40 second journey of loops and corkscrews, all the way to the bottom.

What can I see from the ArcelorMittal Orbit viewing platforms?

You can enjoy 20-mile views from the viewing platforms, including many highlights of London’s skyline, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Alexandra Palace, the O2 and Big Ben. You can also see the stadiums built around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, including Zaha Hadid’s London Aquatics Centre and Hopkins Architects’ Lee Valley VeloPark.

Where is it?

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The ArcelorMittal Orbit is in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the site of many stadiums used during the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. The park has now reopened as an open space, with waterways, cycling routes, wetlands, cafes and meadowland, as well as the stadiums.

How do I get there?

You can get the Central Line, the Overground and National Rail services to Stratford. You can get to Stratford in just 11 minutes from the City of London. It’s a 10 minute walk to the attraction from Stratford Station. Buses stopping nearby include the D8 and the 339.

Are the viewing platforms accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, there’s a lift to take you up and down.

How much does it cost?

Usually, it’s £12.50, but with the London Pass, access to the viewing platforms is free. You have to pay £5 extra to upgrade your ticket to include the slide down. Upgrades are subject to availability on the day.

What are the opening times?

Monday to Friday, it’s open from 11am until 4pm. On weekends, it’s 10am - 6pm.

Is it open every day of the week?

Yes, 364 days a year.

What day aren’t they open?

Christmas Day.

No sliding on Christmas?

No sliding on Christmas.

Do I have to slide down?

Nope. You can walk down the 455-step spiral staircase or take the lift.

Can I buy a ticket just for the slide?

Nope. You need to go up to come down.

What are the age restrictions on the slide?

You have to be at least 8 years old and over 1.3m tall to ride the slide.

Can I ride the slide more than once?

You can, but you have to buy another ticket for a second go.

And what about, you know...friction?

You head down the slide with your legs and bottom in a sack, much like one used to transport coffee beans.

Where can I leave my stuff? I don’t want my phone/wallet/keys falling out of pockets.

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There are some lockers at the bottom.

Can I buy any kind of mementos when I’m there?

Yes, there’s a small shop selling T-shirts, tea towels, mugs and the like.

What about eating and drinking?

There’s a cafe called The Last Drop located right next to the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

What is it made of?

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is made of steel. Enough steel, in fact, to make 265 double-decker buses.

Who designed it?

Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond. Kapoor’s other famous works have included Chicago’s Cloud Gate and the Sky Mirror in Nottingham. Balmond has worked on the Centre Pompidou-Metz in Paris, and the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing.

What is it supposed to look like?

It was designed to look like an ‘impossible’ structure, something almost ‘mythical’ in its twisted, looping form. It’s inspired by the Tower of Babel and the Eiffel Tower. Maybe it looks a bit like someone's made a helter skelter out of the Eiffel Tower. Or angrily scrunched up a train track. It is thought to contain the five Olympic rings. Some people think it looks like a massive shisha pipe. Who knows. See where else you can get a great view of London here.

Matthew Pearson
London Travel Expert

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Most Popular Tourist Attractions in London - Top 10

You don’t have to wander very far in London before stumbling across a household-name attraction. That’s because many of the big-hitters – Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, the West End – are within a short stroll of each other. Indeed, with so many bucket listers in such a relatively small area, it’s inevitable that those that require a longer train or Tube ride to visit (looking at you, Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens) will fall just short of claiming a place in London’s top 10 most popular tourist attractions, despite being wildly popular in their own right. But what landmarks, monuments, museums and districts did make the top 10? You’re about to find out… Parliament Square Basically one great big open-air museum, Parliament Square is where you can set your watch by the chimes of Big Ben, ogle the grand gothic confection that is the Palace of Westminster (aka the Houses of Parliament), and visit what is perhaps London’s most stunning landmark. No, we don’t mean the statue of Winston Churchill (though that’s worth a look, too). We’re talking about Westminster Abbey, a monumental edifice for which the phrase ‘wow factor’ might well have been invented. Wander the vast, hushed halls of this architectural masterpiece and immerse yourself in 1,000 years of British history. Hatches, matches and dispatches: these soaring stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings have seen 'em all, and then some. Don’t miss Poets’ Corner, last resting place of some of literature’s most famous figures, among them Browning, Chaucer, Dickens and Shakespeare. Natural History Museum Hands-down the most popular museum in London, Kensington’s Natural History Museum is a treasure trove of weird, wonderful and unimaginably ancient exhibits that’s sure to charm all but the most jaded of sightseers. Step inside, where no less than 80 million objects run the gamut from huge triceratops skulls to tiny chunks of 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite. Take a walk through the entire history of our planet and allow yourself to be flabbergasted by humanity’s teeny tiny place in the grand scheme of things. Then treat yourself to a consoling t-rex cuddly toy in the gift shop. The London Eye This South Bank whopper is Europe’s largest cantilevered observation wheel and a great way to take in some of London’s best views without, you know, all that tedious walking around. Hop aboard for a thrilling 30-minute spin that takes you 443 feet above Old Father Thames, affording birds-eye views of many of London’s most iconic landmarks. We’re talking St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, The Shard and even – on clear days – the fairytale turrets of Windsor Castle, way out west of the city. The British Museum It may not have quite the pulling power of the Natural History Museum, but the British Museum is no slouch, and easily claims its place in the top 10 most popular tourist attractions in London. The most eye-popping highlights of this enormous and endlessly fascinating collection are also some of the most controversial. Don’t miss, for example, the Rosetta Stone, the fearsome two-headed Aztec Serpent, a bona fide Easter Island statue and, perhaps most contentiously of all, the Parthenon sculptures, aka the Elgin Marbles. The Shard London Eye not high enough for ya? Well, you’re in luck: The Shard is the UK’s tallest building and its 72nd-floor observation deck is as close as you can get to entering the stratosphere, short of chartering an actual plane or space rocket. Take the 60-second elevator ride up to The View from The Shard where, some 1,000 feet above the streets of Southwark, you can see for miles and miles. Around 40 on a clear day, in fact. Better still, there’s a champagne bar on the 69th floor, ideal for steadying the nerves before or after braving the platform. Tower of London There’s more murder, mystery and intrigue between the walls of the Tower of London than in any number of episodes of Game of Thrones. Here’s where the kids of Edward IV (aka the Princes in the Tower) vanished without a trace in 1483, where Henry VI was murdered in 1471, and where not one but two of gouty serial monogamist Henry VIII’s wives lost their heads (Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn, fact fans). Cast your beady eyes over the Tower’s priceless collection of Crown Jewels, including swords, scepters, and regal rings and amulets plus, of course, the legendary St Edward’s Crown, as worn by Elizabeth II and Charles III at their coronations. And don’t forget to say hey to the resident ravens and their pet Beefeaters! Tate Modern Set inside an imposing former power station on the South Bank of the Thames, the building that houses the Tate Modern is a work of art in its own right. Admire its glorious red-brick facade and soaring chimney stack before stepping into the cavernous Turbine Hall, a vast five-story space that has hosted commissioned installations from the likes of Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor and Louise Bourgeois. This epic gallery also contains more modern masterpieces than you can shake a paintbrush at, including iconic pieces by Picasso, Pollock, Klee, Lichtenstein and Warhol, plus must-see selections from Monet’s iconic Water-Lilies series.  The West End Can you even say you’ve been to London if you haven’t experienced the bright lights and grease paint of its theater district? No, dear reader, you cannot. Here’s where you can catch classics including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (a 70-something stalwart of the West End), as well as relative newbies like Wicked and Matilda. Check out our tips on bagging cheap tickets to London’s top West End shows here. St Paul’s Cathedral One of the London skyline’s most iconic landmarks, St Paul’s Cathedral rose majestically out of the ashes of the Great Fire of London and has since survived two World Wars as well as bearing witness to innumerable state funerals, royal weddings and other national occasions. Designed, of course, by the mighty Sir Christopher Wren, its huge gilded altar and 17th-century Grand Organ should be considered London sightseeing essentials. Pay your respects to Admiral Lord Nelson, scientist Alexander Fleming and ol’ Chrissy W himself in the cathedral’s cavernous crypt. Buckingham Palace Last but by no means least in our rundown of London’s 10 most popular attractions, Buckingham Palace requires little introduction. Check out pieces from the Royal Collection at the Queen’s Gallery, set on the former site of Queen Victoria’s chapel, just next to the Palace. Or just turn up around 11am most days to do battle with the crowds for those prized selfies during the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Either way, a visit to this most regal of royal residences should be considered essential on any London trip. Save on London’s most popular tourist attractions Save on admission to London attractions with The London Pass. Check out @LondonPass on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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Famous Restaurants in London You Must Visit

Looking for a bite to eat? Look no further - we've got you covered with a guide to some our favourite famous restaurants in London! Currying Flavour The East End area of Brick Lane is so famous for its Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants that it’s been nicknamed the Curry Mile. However, the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy, is situated on Regent Street and has been serving up spicy delights from several different Indian regions since 1926. Awarded a Michelin Star in 2017, it was one of the establishments that sparked Britain’s love affair with curry. Where: Regent Street, Piccadilly Classic Cuisine Fans of cinematic and literary classics, from Alfred Hitchcock to Sherlock Holmes, will recognise the name Simpson’s in the Strand. Founded in 1828, it was originally a well-known chess venue and also received regular visits from famous names such as Dickens, Gladstone and Disraeli. The restaurant serves classic British food, and its Scottish beef is a particular speciality. Where: The Strand, Charing Cross Off to the Dorchester Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester serves contemporary French cuisine in exquisite surroundings with a shimmering fibre-optic backdrop. It was awarded three Michelin stars in 2010 and is one of only four UK restaurants with the top rating, making it the perfect location for that special occasion. Where: Park Lane, Mayfair Chip off the old block Fish and chips is the Londoner’s traditional comfort food of choice. The origins of this much-loved combination are disputed, but the Golden Hind has been serving up golden fish and crunchy chips since 1914; mushy peas are optional. It can get quite busy, so you may need to queue - an opportunity to indulge in another quintessentially British pastime. Where: Marylebone Join the Bao Club The Michelin Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants that provide high-quality food and value for money. 2017 winner Bao derives its name from fluffy white steamed buns, gua bao, and its menu is based on Taiwanese street food with inventive twists. Xiao chi (literally, ‘small eats’) also feature heavily; they’re tasty snacks a bit like Asian tapas. Where: Soho Star-gazing Celebrity haunts come in and out of fashion, but The Ivy has consistently remained a top spot for star-spotters. Founded in 1917, it’s planning a host of special events to celebrate its centenary this year, from the launch of a new cocktail menu to the introduction of ‘Window to the Ivy’, a special stained glass chocolate mousse dessert. Located in the heart of the West End’s theatre district, it’s a favourite haunt for a pre-show meal. Where: Covent Garden Go East As a true cosmopolis, London is home to people - and cooks - from all over the world. Roka, a regular foodie favourite, offers award-winning Japanese food for the western palate. Specialising in robatayaki cuisine - literally ‘fireside-cooking’ - the principle dishes originate from Japanese fishermen, who would cook fish on charcoal grills while at sea and share the meal with other boats using their oars. Where: Charlotte Street, Canary Wharf, Mayfair, Aldwych Food with a view The OXO Tower is a much-loved icon and home to a pretty famous restaurant in London. Originally owned by the makers of OXO stock cubes, it was refurbished in the 1990s as a mixture of homes, retail design studios, galleries and eateries. Enjoy a contemporary British menu in a relaxed setting with beautiful views of the river, St Paul’s and the City of London. Where: Bankside This concludes our roundup of famous restaurants in London. Of course, this list includes only a tiny number of the more than 17,000 restaurants you can visit. Take your pick from dozens of national cuisines and many more hybrid menus, as well as 65 Michelin-starred establishments and 15 Michelin Bib Gourmands - not to mention pubs, bars, cafés and more. Hope you’re hungry!
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