ArcelorMittal Orbit
Enjoy a spectacular view of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London skyline and take a breathtaking ride down the world's tallest slide from the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit
Designed and constructed for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the ArcelorMittal Orbit is a unique monument and sculpture that is an Olympic legacy landmark and one of the city's newest tourist attractions. In addition it now boasts the tallest and longest tunnel slide in the world — a thrilling ride that corkscrews from the top of the tower to the park below.
Located in what is now Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park the ArcelorMittal Orbit is a 376 foot tall artistic monument engineered and sculpted with steel tubing. It is the tallest sculpture in the United Kingdom. The tower, which was to be a symbol and legacy of the 2012 Summer Olympics, was built according to a winning design by the renowned artist Sir Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond. Inspite of some controversy, due to the economic recession at the time of construction, this unusual and gigantic work of art was completed in time for the Olympics. After the Olympic Games it was closed to visitors while work was done to convert the surrounding park area to its post olympic state. The Orbit reopened in April of 2014 as a permanant tourist attraction.
Visitors to the park can not only view this unique structure from the park, but for a fee they can go to one of the two indoor viewing platforms near the top and enjoy a panoramic view of the park and beyond. It is a good idea to pre-book your tickets online to avoid long line-ups and make sure you can get in.
To add excitement, for an additional fee you can enjoy a thrilling 40 second slide at speeds up to 25 kph down the tower's newly opened feature, the tallest, longest tunnel slide on the planet. This exciting slide corkscrews down the tower, first in one direction, then abruptly changing to the opposite direction, all the while alternating between clear sections and complete darkness.
Of course, if you prefer you can enjoy the far more leisurely 12 minute descent down the spiral staircase.
About 2000 tons of tubular steel was used in the construction of the ArcelorMittal Orbit. The 2 viewing platforms near the top each have a capacity of about 150 people. The centre, or 'trunk' of the tower contains an elevator and is wrapped with a spiral staircase that has 455 steps. According to Kapoor one of the things that influenced the design was the Tower of Babel and Balmond envisioned the orbit of an electron. Either way, the end result is definitely a unique design that many like and many do not, but whichever camp you fall into, you can always enjoy the great view from the top.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.ArcelorMittal Orbit Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton St, London E20 2AD, UK
Phone: 01248 601444
Official Website: ArcelorMittal Orbit
ArcelorMittal Orbit Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
Never thought I’d say this about this place but its great fun and worth doing.
It’s in a rather neglected area of the olympic park with a few facilities nearby.
Staff patiently explain the process and as we had one ticket too many, generously upgraded one of us to a slider. Me!
We took the lift to the top and took some time enjoying the unique views and the parabolic mirrors.
Then to the slide which is really well organised. They encourage you to keep your head up so the video picks up your reactions but be aware, some of the turns are really rough and jarring to your neck. It is really long and exhilarating.
At then end you are encouraged to buy a video, and you should!!
Michael Mayer - 2 months ago
Had a great time visiting the Orbit and going up to see the viewing platform and going down in the slide.
It is the world's longest tunnel slide stands at 76m tall and spans 178m in length.
I highly recommend booking your tickets online. There's free lockers at the bottom where you have leave your belongings, and the staff here are super friendly!
Tomy - a month ago
I visited Zip World at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in London and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The attraction is well-organised and offers a unique blend of adventure and sightseeing right in the heart of the city. The standout feature is the experience itself, which combines excitement with impressive panoramic views over the Olympic Park and the wider London skyline.
The staff were professional, friendly, and very efficient from start to finish. Everything from check-in to the safety briefing was clearly explained, which helped create a smooth and reassuring experience. Despite it being a busy attraction, the process felt well-managed and structured.
The overall setup is clearly designed with visitors in mind, making it easy to navigate and enjoy without confusion or delays. The activity itself is both fun and memorable, offering something a bit different compared to typical London attractions.
In terms of booking, purchasing tickets online is generally the most convenient and cost-effective option, as it allows you to secure your preferred time slot in advance. Prices can vary depending on the date and demand, with weekends and peak periods typically being more expensive compared to weekdays. Booking ahead is recommended, as it helps ensure availability and can often provide better value compared to last-minute tickets.
Overall, Zip World provides a well-run, enjoyable experience that is both exciting and visually impressive. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a short adventure activity in London, and definitely worth visiting at least once.
Vishnoo - 5 months ago
I recently visited the ArcelorMittal Orbit and Helix Slide, and it was one of the highlights of my trip to London. From the moment I arrived, the experience was enjoyable, and the staff were exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and helpful throughout my visit.
My advice to anyone planning to visit is to book your tickets in advance. Not only does this secure your preferred time slot, but it is also much cheaper if you book wmmonths ahead. I booked the three ride Helix package, which also included a video recording of each ride, and I think it was worth every penny.
Be sure to arrive early because everyone is required to watch a short safety and preparation video before sliding. It explains everything you need to know and helps you feel ready for the experience. I actually arrived later than my booked time because of delays, but since I had a valid reservation, the staff still allowed me to use my ticket. Their understanding and excellent customer service really stood out to me.
The Helix Slide itself is incredible. It is the world's longest tunnel slide, and each ride lasts about a minute. Although it is over quickly, it is packed with excitement from beginning to end. There are plenty of twists, turns, and drops, so make sure you follow the staff's instructions carefully, especially about keeping your head in the correct position throughout the ride.
There are two viewing platforms. You begin your slide from Platform 1, while Platform 2 offers spectacular panoramic views across London and is well worth visiting for the scenery alone.
One useful tip is that if you are using Google Maps, it may direct you around the back of the attraction, which is a much longer route. Once you can see the Orbit structure, simply walk towards it and ask any member of staff or security personnel for directions to the entrance.
The surrounding Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is beautiful and adds even more to the experience. There are lovely gardens, colourful flowers, open green spaces, walking paths, and the scenic Waterworks River running through the park. During my visit, people were roller skating in the open plaza, and there was also a water play area where children were enjoying themselves on a hot afternoon. Food and drinks are available nearby, making it easy to spend several hours exploring the area.
Overall, I had an amazing experience and would highly recommend visiting. Whether you are looking for adventure, fantastic views, or simply a fun day out, the ArcelorMittal Orbit and Helix Slide is definitely worth adding to your London itinerary. I would happily visit again.
boumo daw - 3 months ago
Visited on Monday, 02nd March 2026, Queen Elizabeth Park ArcelorMittal Orbit 360. Quite cheap (compared to other attractions) to just go to the viewing area. You have to book a time slot, and we chose a day when the weather was decent. Nice view of the city in the distance and the London Stadium, but ultimately this is East London, so it's not exactly a vista. Ability to view from inside or outside (though tbh can't see the point of coming here in poor weather), and you can walk down (which I enjoyed, including hearing different history broadcast through them as you go down) rather than take the lift, but it would have been nice to have viewing windows as you go down. Didn't bother paying for the slide (not our thing) and only a 30-60 min visit, so suggest you combine with another activity in Stratford or the park. There is a shop selling Zip Wire-related merchandise, lockers for bags and a drinks cart at the viewing area, but we didn't use any of these.
Jeffrey Soley - 6 months ago
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Directions
| Underground | Overground Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Central, Jubilee or London Overground | Stratford | 13 Minutes |
How to get to ArcelorMittal Orbit by Underground | Overground
From Stratford Station take the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park exit. At Westfield Stratford City take escalator, stairs or lift up to the outside pedestrian overpass and follow it across the road and through the outdoor shopping and restaurant mall and take the 2nd left at the Holiday Inn to the park entrance. Make your way through the park to the ArcelorMittal Orbit.
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Photo Gallery
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ArcelorMittal Orbit and Olympic Stadium cc licensed photo by David Jones -
Construction and design details cc licensed photo by Danny Nicholson -
ArcelorMittal Orbit viewing platforms at night cc licensed photo by James Mitchell -
Looking down on the new ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Photo © ArcelorMittal Orbit -
Looking up at the twists and turns of the ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Photo © ArcelorMittal Orbit -
Riding the ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Photo © ArcelorMittal Orbit -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: 35mmMan - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: 35mmMan - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors - cc license via Flickr

