Itching for a quick thrill? Get along to London’s Orbit Slide for a dizzying descent.
The Orbit Slide, designed by artist Carsten Höller, is, in a word, BIG.
A 178-metre drop from the top of east London’s Orbit tower, it’s the longest and tallest tunnel slide in the entire world – and frankly, we’d expect nothing less for a city like London. 12 twists and turns add some additional drama to your descent.
You’ll get a bum-protecting mat for your plunge, so you don’t burn off your pants. But let’s talk about the actual plunge, because it really is quite alarming! Much of the 40-second drop is in pitch darkness, and closely resembles being thrown to your doom down a garbage chute, like all terrible trash-people deserve. It’s quite genuinely hair-raising and I screamed like a firework the whole way down.
Sure, occasional windowed sections will flash by as gravity does its worst, but if you’re hoping to enjoy the view, we’d recommend getting an eyeful from the viewing platform before your fateful plummet. So relaxing! (Apart from the gnawing dread of what’s to follow.)
If you’d prefer to really luxuriate in your own vertigo, you can eschew the slide in favour of abseiling off the tower. These sessions are booked in advance and only available in the summer months.
In short, it’s a very long slide. Put some ‘wheeeee!’ in your weekend and pop along.
Location: 5 Thornton Street, Olympic Park, E20 2AD. Nearest station: Stratford Pudding Mill Lane DLR. Find it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 11am – 5pm weekdays, 10am – 6pm weekends.
Entry: A single ride of the slide is £16.50 for adults, with discounts for children, students, senior citizens, families and groups. It’s best to book in advance. Height and weight restrictions apply.
More information: head to their website.
Check out some other hotspots:
? A London Park Dedicated To Heroic Self-Sacrifice
? The Camden Restaurant For All Things Cheese
? East London’s Heated Outdoor Lido
? The Stunning Palace Of Art Hidden Inside A London Townhouse
Also published on Medium.