ArcelorMittal Orbit
114.5m sculpture and observation tower in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with panoramic views and the world's longest tunnel slide
114.5m sculpture and observation tower in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with panoramic views and the world's longest tunnel slide
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is the tallest sculpture in the United Kingdom — a 114.5-metre tower of looping red steel dominating Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, designed by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for the 2012 Olympics.
Two observation platforms offer views up to 20 miles on a clear day, taking in the City, Canary Wharf and the Stadium below. Since 2016 visitors can also ride The Slide — a 178-metre tunnel slide spiralling around the structure, making it the world's longest and tallest tunnel slide.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit was commissioned in 2009 after then-Mayor Boris Johnson decided the 2012 Olympic Park needed a bold landmark to rival the Eiffel Tower. Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond won the design competition with a concept described as a continuous looping lattice — part sculpture, part observation tower, entirely unlike anything else in London.
Construction used around 2,000 tonnes of steel, 60 per cent of it recycled, funded largely by a £19.6 million contribution from Lakshmi Mittal's company ArcelorMittal. The structure was completed for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Games and has remained a permanent fixture of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ever since.
In 2016, The Slide was added — a 178-metre tunnel slide designed by German artist Carsten Höller. Riders enter at the top platform and spiral through 12 twists, including a corkscrew section in near-darkness, before emerging at ground level roughly 40 seconds later. The minimum age is 8 and the minimum height is 130 centimetres.
For a bigger thrill, the abseil experience runs seasonally from spring through early autumn. Participants descend 80 metres from a platform near the top in a controlled drop, making it the highest abseil of its kind in the United Kingdom. The abseil is operated by Wire & Sky and must be booked separately.
The Orbit sits at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the 560-acre site transformed for the 2012 Games that has since become one of East London's most popular public spaces. The surrounding parkland includes the London Stadium, the London Aquatics Centre designed by Zaha Hadid, extensive gardens and waterways, and a growing residential and cultural quarter.
A visit pairs well with a walk through the park's landscaped gardens, a swim at the Aquatics Centre, or a meal at one of the cafes near the waterfront. The park is also home to the V&A East museum, which opened in 2025, adding another reason to make the journey to Stratford.
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Tickets bought at the door cost £1–2 more than online prices — book in advance on the official website for the best rates. The abseil is run separately by Wire & Sky and costs from £75.
The Slide often sells out on weekends and school holidays. Book your time slot online before you visit to guarantee a place and save a couple of pounds on the door price.
The observation deck views stretch up to 20 miles on a clear day. Check the forecast before booking — on overcast days the panorama can be significantly reduced.
Allow extra time to explore Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after your visit. The Aquatics Centre, parkland gardens and waterways are all free to walk through and well worth seeing.
You cannot take bags, cameras or loose items on the Slide. Free lockers are available at the base — store your belongings before heading up.
The walk from Stratford station goes through the Westfield shopping centre, which has plenty of food and drink options if you want to eat before or after your visit.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 6, 2026
