Best for
Thrill-seekers, families with older kids, contemporary art and architecture fans
Time needed
45 minutes–1.5 hours
Worth it?
Yes for the slide experience specifically — the views alone are a lower priority
Skip if
You're not travelling to Stratford/east London on this trip
About ArcelorMittal Orbit
Commissioned as a permanent legacy structure for the 2012 London Olympics, the ArcelorMittal Orbit was designed by artist Anish Kapoor with structural engineer Cecil Balmond, its tangled red steel form referencing both an infinite loop and the Tower of Babel, funded largely by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal in exchange for naming rights. At 114.5 metres, it's Britain's tallest sculpture, positioned between the former Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre in Stratford's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Two observation decks, reached by lift, offer panoramic views over the park, the Stratford skyline and, on clear days, out toward central London roughly 20 miles distant. Since 2016, the tower's other main draw has been Helix, the world's longest and tallest tunnel slide, spiralling 178 metres around the outside of the structure in a ride lasting around 40 seconds.
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The surrounding Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park itself, built from the regenerated 2012 Olympic site, includes waterways, playgrounds and the former Olympic venues, making the Orbit a natural anchor for a wider half-day visit to east London's most significant recent urban regeneration project.
It's a niche, single-purpose attraction rather than an essential London sight, but for those already in Stratford or seeking out the slide specifically, it delivers a genuinely unusual experience.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Anish Kapoor's 114.5-metre sculpture, Britain's tallest
- 2Helix, the world's longest and tallest tunnel slide
- 3Panoramic views over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Stratford skyline
- 4The former London 2012 Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre alongside
- 5A striking piece of large-scale public art in its own right
- 6Part of a wider east London Olympic legacy regeneration project
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Insider Tips
The slide has a minimum age of 8 and minimum height of 130cm
Combine the visit with a walk around the wider Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Book the combo ticket if you want both the viewing platform and the slide
Weekday visits (particularly mornings) are noticeably quieter
Stratford Westfield shopping centre is a short walk away for food and shopping
Book a Guided Tour
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Getting There
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 2ST
Open in Google Maps →- 1Stratford (Central, Jubilee lines, plus DLR and mainline rail) — a 10-minute walk through the park.
Where to stay
Hotels in London
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want to ride the world's longest and tallest tunnel slide
- You're already visiting Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park or Stratford Westfield
- You're interested in large-scale contemporary public art
- You have older children (8+) looking for a thrill activity
Skip if...
- You're not planning to visit Stratford or east London on this trip
- You're travelling with children under the slide's minimum age/height requirements
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
British Museum
The world's oldest national public museum — eight million objects spanning two million years of human history, free to enter, from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon Marbles.
National Gallery
Over 2,300 Western European paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century, free to view, filling the north side of Trafalgar Square.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London — The Making of Harry Potter
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Natural History Museum
A cathedral-like Victorian building housing dinosaur skeletons, a blue whale suspended from the ceiling, and 80 million specimens — free to enter and one of London's most family-friendly museums.