One strength of this dense palimpsest of a city is its architectural juxtapositions: St Helen's and Swiss Re, Lloyd's and Leadenhall Market, and for me, the view of the Eye and Whitehall from St James's Park bridge. Its size, build quality and elegant engineering elevate it above any carnival ride.

David Whittaker, London, United Kingdom

The first Ferris wheel was built for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, intended as an icon to rival the Eiffel Tower. It was 20 stories tall and could hold 2000 passengers. The association of Ferris wheels with carnivals and county fairs came later. But I agree, these things look ugly and temporary.

Dalton, Chicago, USA

An absolute delight o get on the London Eye. I never fail to take a ride wen I visit.

The viw of old and new in facinating.

PK Singapore

Para Krishnan, Singapore, Singapore

I have put that on my list to things to do when I go to London.

Bridget, chichester, usa

The only merit that the London Eye has is that when you ride on it you cannot see it!

Chris, Ashford, Middx, England

I think it's great - looks good with fireworks on NYE and with the other iconic structures along the Thames it illustrates the mix of old and new that is London: Houses of Parliament, Eye, National Theatre, St Paul's, Gherkin, Canary Wharf, Tate Modern - all very different but together it all works!

Emma Dring, London, UK

Stuart Midgely, didn't take Australia long to copy the London Eye. Now you have two in Australia that you can rubbish. Same old whinge "Anything British is rubbish"

Peter Moran, Cooloola Cove, Australia

why are all the non UK people throwing in their 2 cents (pents)? I would think that those most qualified to give their opinion would be those in london who can see the structure first hand. I think the focus is not supposed to be the structure but the view from the structure.

Erik Smith, Louisville, KY, USA

It is jarring to see it. It ought to be moved somewhere where it can accomplish a "view" but away from the river. It certainly is not a city icon as is the forbidden city or the Eiffel Tower. It does indeed look as if a carnival is in town. When it disappears people will applaud.

Gary Smyth, Ph.D., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

You're kidding, right?

Ferris Wheels are for the kids at the Royal Easter Show and school fetes.

It's as ugly as sin and totally inappropriate for a city centre.

Stuart Midgley, Sydney, Australia

Fair point Ray but as you point out, wheels like this are associated with fairs and carnivals 'in America'.

There are no such connotations in the UK, and with a skyline as impressive as London's, what better way to appreciate it?

Joel Howells, Durham, United Kingdom

The London Eye is a huge tourist attraction bringing in millions in tourist revenue. It offers fantastic views over central London while being, in my opinion, a beautiful sight.

I'm a photographer in London and it's one of my favourite subjects - contrasting the new with the old across the river.

Kal, London,

Just a shame that it was built by the French, could not find a UK supplier to build the "pods" as first the conservatives & then the socialists closed UK manufacturing

David Skeggs, paris, France

In America we call them Ferris wheels and they're at all the carnivals and state fairs. To have a giant Ferris wheel in the middle of your city makes it look like a carnival--hard to take it seriously. London surely has gone down-hill.

ray, Sun City Center, USA

As a Londoner i have been on the eye many times whilst ferrying pals from overseas about town. It never ceases to amaze me the spectacular views that unfold before your very eyes. Tom is right that it offers a sense of freedom and is one of the few spots in london where you can view a horizon. Proud

Patrick, London,

The London Eye is not an icon it is more like an eyesore

Clive, Dartford, Kent

Much like Gordo, it goes around and around and can seem to almost look occasionally neat while doing so, but it never really goes anywhere does it?

John Templeton, Valley Forge PA,