London Eye With Small Children Review

Review Introduction

This review is aimed at parents of under fives who would probably avoid going on the London Eye with their children. I tried the London Eye with my 6 month old baby and can recommend the experience – really! But to make it such a great trip you need to do your preparation. Here's all you'll need to know.

Pros

• Secure and free buggy storage
• Free loan of a baby carrier
• Fast Track – avoids the queues

Cons

• Can't take buggy onboard
• Can't leave changing bag with buggy – must take all bags

• Use step-free access to London Eye Ticket Hall
• Clean baby-changing facilities inside County Hall
• Use the secure and free buggy storage
• Use the free loan of a baby carrier
• Don't have too many bags as you have to take them all with you, while carrying the baby
• Avoid loose socks and shoes on babies as they kick them off while in the baby carrier
• Book Fast Track tickets and avoid the queues

Step-free Access

The main entrance of County Hall, where the London Eye ticket office is located, has steps so go round to the side to the Disabled Entrance so you can get in with your buggy (see the photo).

Baby-changing Facilities

Once in the building turn right, which takes you to the main entrance, then left along the corridor to the two disabled toilets with baby-changing facilities. Always best to get toilet stuff out of the way first.

Go back towards the main entrance and you'll see the Buggy Point. This is where you can leave your buggy securely and for free. There is always an attendant there and they are trained to help you with the baby carriers.

Firstly, don't take too much 'stuff' with you for your flight on the London Eye as you cannot leave bags here – not even your changing bag. You need to fold your buggy and you'll be given a ticket to claim it back just as in a cloakroom.

Baby carriers are available on loan for free. For the under ones it's a Tomy Freestyle carrier which is suitable up to 21 lbs (9.5kg). The attendant fitted this to me securely and helped me fit my baby in safely. I was impressed by the service as this is free to anyone bringing small children. I was concerned the carriers may not be comfortable but I can confirm this carrier felt safe and there was no pull on my back. Carriers are also available for bigger children too.

I would recommend thinking about what your child is wearing on the day as trousers are better than dresses and avoid loose socks and shoes. I lost a sock before I'd got on the London Eye as my baby enjoyed kicking her legs about.

You can book standard flight tickets or just walk in and queue for a ticket. These are great options if you don't have children, but standing in those queues with a baby or toddler didn't look like fun. Queues can be long, and children do not understand patience. I would recommend spending a bit more and going for the Fast Track option. This gives you a speedy check-in, plus you're escorted past the queues outside, straight onto the London Eye. You also receive a souvenir guidebook for each adult and children get an in-flight kids pack including a mini guide and Eye spy binoculars. You simply turn up at the Fast Track check-in desk (opposite where you entered the building via the Disabled Entrance) and you are completely taken care of. As my baby was too small for the in-flight kids pack she received a View 360 which is a great pull-out guide to the sights we could see. Of course, at 6 months she enjoyed chewing on this, but we also found it helpful for finding the key landmarks.

Getting On The London Eye

Once your Fast Track host has escorted you to the security team, your bags will be checked so it really is advisable to not bring too much with you. And remember for everyone's safety, no sharp items are allowed on board.

The London Eye doesn't stop to let passengers on and off – it simply goes at a constant slow speed (0.26m/0.85ft per second). There is a wide entrance to each capsule but do ask for help if you are concerned about boarding while carrying small children.

Once in the capsule, there is a long seat in the middle. Most people want to stand up and check out the views so take a moment to put your bags under the seat at one end and get comfortable. The flight takes 30 minutes so there's no need to rush to the windows.

When you're ready, stand up and enjoy the views. If one end of the capsule is busy, head to the other end. You won't miss out as you're moving around a wheel so you'll get that view later.

No food or drink is allowed in the capsules so don't try and feed children. It's only a 30 minutes flight so they can wait! Just make sure they're fed and changed before boarding.

After Your Flight

Return to the Buggy Point and the attendant will help you remove the baby carrier. I really was impressed how helpful the staff were here.

And don’t forget to make use of the baby changing facilities again!

Local Cafés

Don't try and go in the All Bar One or the Slug & Lettuce on Chicheley Street as they do not allow children inside (over 21s only). Instead go down the road behind County Hall, Belvedere Road, where there are a few suitable cafes. There are a few steps to enter them but ask staff and they'll come out and help you.

Local Hotel

If you'd like to stay on the South Bank and have views of the London Eye and Big Ben, then check out the deals at the Marriott County Hall.