5/5 Chris M. 1 year ago on Google
My
second
visit
to
the
Queen
Elizabeth
Olympic
Park,
Stratford
E20
was
specifically
to
visit
the
ARCELOR
MITTAL
ORBIT,
on
Saturday
18/6/22.
Busy
at
the
time
with
an
event
in
the
London
Stadium,
but
no
problem
parking
in
the
disabled
bays
in
the
London
Aquatics
Centre
car
Park,
reasonably
very
close
to
the
ARCELOR
MITTAL
ORBIT
in
nearby
Thornton
Street.
I
made
research
and
enquiries
on
this
particular
matter
during
my
first
visit
at
Q.E.
Olympic
Park
Information
Point,
Friday
27/5/22.
I
intended
during
my
visit
to
brave
the
slide
but
it
was
fully
booked
up
on
the
day.
(
Probably
best
online,
but
you
can
turn
up
at
the
booking
office
and
ask
if
there
is
a
slot
for
the
slide....?)
However,
very
pleased
to
have
reached
the
upper
viewing
gallery
(
by
lift
going
up),
and
you
are
rewarded
the
ultimate
views
north,
south,
east
and
west
of
London.
Open
air
balcony
too
but
obviously
fenced
high
over
your
head.
Abseiling
was
taking
place
during
my
visit
-
a
downwards
dangling
glide
down
to
the
enclosed
landing
area
below.
I
watched
two
people
dare
this
breathtaking
pursuit
from
the
edge
(
launch
release
platform
outside
on
a
ledge
as
I
viewed
from
within
the
window
viewing
gallery
inside).
The
experienced
guides,
assistants
were
obviously
present
to
prepare
/
attach
their
harnesses
which
are
connected
to
steel
pulleys
and
cable
guide
lines.
A
crane
hook
mechanism
concealed
within
the
roof
lower
the
participants
steady
dangling
in
mid-air
to
descend
down
alongside
the
Arcelor
Mittal
Orbit
structure.
This
remarkable
structure,
worthy
of
world
status
recognition,
was
designed
by
artist
Anish
Kapoor
in
collaboration
with
Cecil
Balmond;
and
the
Slide
designed
by
artist
Carston
Holler.
This
unique
attraction
opened
in
June
2016.
In
essence
a
sculpture
and
is
the
U.Ks
🇬🇧
largest
piece
of
public
art.
The
twisted
red
metal
tower
stands
at
375FT,
and
with
the
looping
steel
bar
at
the
top
it
is
slighty
taller
than
the
Statue
of
Liberty
on
Statton
Island
🗽
in
N.Y.C.🇺🇲
Unique
also
in
having
the
fastest
slide
in
the
world
in
40
seconds
descent
-
a
narrow
silver
steel
tube
with
twelve
twists.
I
decided
the
slow
route
down
by
walking
leisurely
the
455
steps
cage
corridor
that
twists
around
the
tower
like
a
snake.
During
the
walk
down
I
heard
football
crowd
(courtesy
West
Ham
United
F.C.)
matchday
recorded
sounds
emit
from
speakers
planted
along
the
staircase.
Adding
to
a
matchday
atmosphere
from
the
London
Stadium.
Eventually
you
reach
the
same
area
exit
where
both
slide
tube
and
abseil
landing
area
meet
-
this
spacious
area
all
within
a
fenced
perimeter
enclosure.
Alternatively
a
lift
journey
of
34
seconds
is
also
provided
to
reach
the
top.
But
for
me,
the
admiration
of
the
structure
itself
and
a
remarkable
view
from
the
top
makes
this
a
major
tourist
attraction.
I
had
an
informative
and
helpful
talk
with
the
slide
manager/
organiser
in
the
upper
view
gallery.
The
slide
now
operates
and
'as
I
was
told',
on
weekdays
as
well
as
weekends
(
before
it
was
Friday,
Saturday,
Sunday
only!).Fantastic
tourist
landmark
attraction
not
only
in
London
but
world
over...a
unique
structure
that
in
appearance
different
to
the
rest,
whether
considered
attractive
is
debatable?
I
leave
you
to
decide...
At
first
sight
the
appearnce
of
this
structure
reminded
me
of
a
Martian
machine
described
from
H.G.Wells
S.F.
classic
'The
War
of
the
Worlds'.
Dont
worry,
no
heat
Ray
attached...safe
to
embark!
Rating
from
me
A1,
10/10.
A
must
visit,
if
only
once
in
a
lifetime
experience...Chris.👍🗼
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