London is known for its famous tourist attractions from the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London but did you know? London has one of the biggest slides in the world!
It is the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide, with a 178-meter plummet from the top of east London’s Orbit skyscraper, and frankly, we’d expect nothing less from London.
Twelve turns and twists contribute to the drama of your descent.
It was built to honor and celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2012 in London and the structure is now a prominent feature of the East London skyline.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit offers unparalleled views of London, the world’s longest and tallest tube slide, and the United Kingdom’s biggest freefall abseil.
The slide wraps around one side of the Orbit, descends in 40 seconds and culminates in a 164-foot vertical drop. It can travel up to 15 miles per hour.
Guests who would rather not slide down the tower after enjoying the sights from the observation decks can still descend the Orbit in a safe way.
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How Big Is The ArcelorMittal Orbit?
The 377-foot-high Orbit, which was created by sculptor Anish Kapoor for the 2012 London Olympics, includes the 584-foot-long slide, which was created by artist Carsten Höller.
The slide contains 12 twists, including a tight corkscrew twist, and 30 sections.
The slide goes around one side of the Orbit, falls in 40 seconds, and culminates in a 164-foot straight plunge to the ground. It has a top speed of 15 miles per hour.
The 114.5-meter-tall ArcelorMittal Orbit features floor-to-ceiling glass for viewing London’s renowned skyline, followed by an 80-meter-high observation deck for seeing the city’s landmarks.
Enjoy the leisurely descent of the 455 steps that wind around the artwork while listening to a collection of distinctive London sounds and interacting with the sculpture.
Guests who would prefer not to slide down the tower after admiring the views from the observation decks can still safely descend from the Orbit.
It will take about 12 minutes to down the gigantic structure’s 1,150-foot-long spiral staircase, which is 72 feet taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty.
What’s So Special About The ArcelorMittal Orbit?
You will descend the tallest public artwork in the United Kingdom through sections of light and darkness as the magnificent London skyline passes by.
The Slide twists and turns twelve times, including a tight corkscrew section known as the ‘bettfeder’, after the German term for ‘bedspring.’
The conclusion of The Slide is a 50-meter straight run to the ground. In the thrilling 40-second journey, riders are predicted to reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour!
In addition to this! Stand atop the world at the ArcelorMittal Orbit and take in London’s breathtaking skyline; utilize the interactive panels to learn more about the city’s most recognizable monuments.
Turn the world upside down with Anish Kapoor’s stunning mirrors and peer into the beautiful London Stadium, where medals were won and lost in the 2012 Olympic Games. Everything is included with your ticket!
What Does The Slide Look Like?
Sir Anish Kapoor, the creator of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, commissioned the German artist Carsten Holler to build The Slide.
It is a rare collaboration between two of the world’s most prominent artists, a major art project for London, and yet another reason to visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London’s most exciting destination!
Their concept comprised a massive spiral pathway with viewing platforms that mimicked an orbit or continuous voyage.
Its remarkable looping structure has become synonymous with inventive design and playfulness.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit, comprised of 35,000 bolts and enough steel to produce 265 double-decker buses, gives magnificent 20-mile vistas of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London skyline.
Steel was selected as a building material in part due to its unlimited recyclability; sixty percent of the ArcelorMittal Orbit is composed of recycled steel, including washing machines and used automobiles.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is composed of 600 prefabricated nodes resembling stars.
These were precisely constructed by a team of one hundred workers in Bolton, Lancashire, and assembled on-site by four individuals and a crane.
This created the sculpture’s superstructure before the lifts and observation platforms were installed.
The 114.5-meter-tall ArcelorMittal Orbit provides the opportunity to view London’s famed skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows before enjoying the city’s monuments from an observation deck 80 meters above the earth.
Interact with the sculpture, flip the horizon in Anish Kapoor’s two enormous concave mirrors, and enjoy the slow descent of the 455 steps that wind around the sculpture while listening to a collection of distinctive London noises.
What Is The Age And Height Limit Required For The Slide?
To ride The Slide, you must be at least 8 years old and taller than 1.3 meters. There is no maximum height restriction.