Greenwich Wheel
Looking back through the last few posts I've realised I'm in danger of turning into the Phantom Grouch, so today, I'm only going to post things I like.
So - for starters, if you haven't been down to the Greenwich Wheel yet, and you happen to hold a GreenwichCard (if you don't, why not? These things cost a couple of quid and pay for themselves very quickly indeed) you can get two-for-the-price-of-one on Mondays - so try to get down there today. The rest of the time you get 10% off with a Greenwichcard.
So - for starters, if you haven't been down to the Greenwich Wheel yet, and you happen to hold a GreenwichCard (if you don't, why not? These things cost a couple of quid and pay for themselves very quickly indeed) you can get two-for-the-price-of-one on Mondays - so try to get down there today. The rest of the time you get 10% off with a Greenwichcard.
I have no real idea why the Wheel doesn't seem to have been very popular (I may be wrong, but whenever I pass it there seems to be virtually no one on board.) It's a great ride, with fantastic views. Perhaps it's the combination of the bog-awful weather we've had this year and the fact that its big brother is just down the road. I guess if you're a tourist and you're only going to take one Big Wheel ride, you're going to choose the Eye. Other places that have had a Ferris wheel - like Manchester and York - don't have the choice.
If you ask me, after the fight they had to put this on, and after what can only be so-so returns, I doubt the wheel will be back, much as I would welcome it with open arms (and as for it being an eyesore - I think it's beautiful, especially when it's lit up at night.) So if you want to see Greenwich from above, with the wonky ORNC building, the views of Vanbrugh Castle, the Observatory etc, then don't count on the viewing room at Borough Hall being open in the near future while that nasty management company's in charge. Get down to Cutty Sark Gardens fast. It's only on until September 28th.
With a bit of luck the sky will be a bit less threatening than when I snapped this...
With a bit of luck the sky will be a bit less threatening than when I snapped this...
Labels: Greenwich Wheel, Things to do
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:27
12 Comments:
I think a major contributing factor to the wheel's apparent emptiness is the fact that it was woefully under-publicised; I saw no adverts for it anywhere in London minimal media coverage. Only on Friday a colleague looked out of our office window and seemed surprised it was there - I pointed out it had been up for months and he knew nothing of it.
Perhaps if they had provided secondary entertainments around it (a chi-chi retro fairground maybe?) it would have pulled a greater crowd.
Absolutely Mr Lemons, zilch publicity.
Love the Photo Phantom.
The Wheel is too expensive, I think so and a lot of other people that I have talked to do. If it was 4 pounds, I'd give it a try, but not for 7. Besides London Eye was quite disappointing.
The London eye was disappointing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????
I'd imagine most people from Greenwich *have* been on the wheel but as this isn't the most densely populated area of London it's bound to look underused.
Now, if they *really* want to attract the punters they should open a log flume that whizzes down Greenwich park into the Thames.
I loved the wheel, and would go again. But the day I went they were doing surveys afterwards on our opinion and I said everything was great, but I asked them to put an extra comment on the form saying 'terrible marketing'!
The lack of customers does seem a shame as i rather enjoyed the wheel and though it would be great if it came back for the olympic year. Given the apparently low use this looks unlikely.
I guess the problems with the DLR didn't exactly encourage people into Greenwich this summer.
If I was being cheeky I might suggest that I'm not the only local who has a better view of the area from the window of their office in the Wharf!
It's been blimmin' hard getting to Greenwich at week-ends over the summer, thanks to closures on the Jubilee line coupled with works on the DLR. I work week-end shifts and getting home afterwards was a real head-ache - and I live here! Gawd knows what it was like for someone who didn't understand all the various ways of avoiding the closures and delays. Really terrible planning by TfL...
We went on the wheel yesterday,used our Greenwich cards and got the buy one get one free!!
Which works out at 3.50 each, more than good value, the staff were pleasent and helpful, and even allowed us to have an extra cycle of the wheel as my 21/2 year old who did noteven pay had loved it so much.
I think this is a great addition to the ORNC, and it is a shame that its going.
odd socks
I must agree with most on here.....
Very poor publicity and at £7 each can be a little expensive for a family......
But I will miss seeing it when it finishes in a couple weeks.
Poor publicity = poor presence
Personally I loved the wheel :-)
I just got back from Manchester and can report that their Wheel was as dead and deserted as the Greenwich one, but also very beautiful to watch.
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