Zip World London at the ArcelorMittal Orbit
World's longest tunnel slide and 80-metre viewing platform — housed inside Anish Kapoor's iconic red steel sculpture in Olympic Park
World's longest tunnel slide and 80-metre viewing platform — housed inside Anish Kapoor's iconic red steel sculpture in Olympic Park
Zip World took over the ArcelorMittal Orbit in February 2025, bringing its adventure brand to the 114.5-metre sculpture that has dominated Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park since the 2012 Olympics. The centrepiece is Helix — a 178-metre tunnel slide that spirals around the tower in 12 twists and turns, making it the longest and tallest tunnel slide in the world.
Above the slide, the Orbit 360 viewing platform stands at 80 metres with unobstructed views across London in every direction. On a clear day the panorama stretches 20 miles, taking in the Shard, Canary Wharf, the London Stadium directly below and the hills of Kent on the horizon.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit was commissioned in 2009 after then-Mayor Boris Johnson decided the 2012 Olympic Park needed a landmark to rival the Eiffel Tower. Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond won the design competition with a continuous looping lattice of tubular steel — part sculpture, part observation tower. 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 since.
In 2016, German artist Carsten Holler added The Slide — a 178-metre tunnel slide spiralling around the outside of the tower. In February 2025, adventure company Zip World took over the operation and rebranded the experience. The slide was renamed Helix and the viewing platform became Orbit 360, bringing the attraction under Zip World's portfolio of adventure sites across the United Kingdom.
Helix begins at the upper platform where riders enter a pod-shaped tunnel and are launched into 12 twists and turns around the sculpture's steel framework. The tightest section is the bettfeder — a corkscrew named after the German word for bedspring — where riders spiral in near-darkness before emerging into a straight 50-metre run to the ground. The entire descent lasts around 40 seconds and reaches speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. The minimum age is 8, with a height requirement of 130 centimetres, and all riders must wear long sleeves, trousers and closed-toe shoes.
Above the slide entrance, the Orbit 360 viewing platform at 80 metres offers 360-degree views across London. On a clear day, the panorama stretches roughly 20 miles and takes in the Shard, the Gherkin, Canary Wharf, the O2 and the green expanses of Epping Forest to the north. Interactive screens mounted around the platform identify landmarks and provide historical context. The lift to the top takes 34 seconds, and most visitors spend 20 to 30 minutes on the platform before heading down — either by lift or, for those with a Helix ticket, by slide.
The Orbit sits at the centre of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the 560-acre site transformed for the 2012 Games that has 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 including the V&A East museum. A visit pairs well with a walk through the landscaped gardens, a swim at the Aquatics Centre, or a meal at one of the cafes near the waterfront. Stratford station, served by the Jubilee, Central and Elizabeth lines plus the DLR, is a 10-minute walk through Westfield Stratford City.
All prices are for advance online booking. Prices increase by up to £5 during school holidays. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked time slot. Riders must be at least 8 years old, at least 130cm tall and under 130kg. Arms and legs must be covered, and trainers or walking boots are required for the slide.
The slide frequently sells out on weekends and school holidays. Book your time slot online to guarantee a place and avoid the holiday price surcharge at the door.
The Orbit 360 platform views stretch up to 20 miles on a clear day. Check the forecast before booking — on overcast days the panorama can be significantly reduced.
Arms and legs must be covered to ride Helix. Wear long sleeves, trousers and trainers or walking boots. You will not be allowed on the slide in sandals or shorts.
Zip World requires you to check in 30 minutes before your booked time slot. Late arrivals may lose their booking, so factor this into your travel plans.
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.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 10, 2026
