Yorkshire Wheel

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The Yorkshire Wheel

The Yorkshire Wheel, previously known as The Manchester Wheel before its relocation, is a Ferris wheel in York, England, which opened to the public on April 12, 2006, following setbacks due to bad weather. It is located at the National Railway Museum where it was built by World Tourist Attractions who also ran the Wheel of Birmingham.

After its first six months of opening, it was reported that the wheel had had 200,000 visitors taking in the views of the city.^[1].

It is the first observation wheel of its kind in Yorkshire and was inspired by the London Eye, which opened a few years earlier. It is 54 metres high, which is about the height of York Minster, York's skyline height limit, but somewhat smaller than the 135 metres of the London Eye. Visitors on the Wheel are allowed several rotations, unlike the London Eye, but the wheel must stop to load and unload passengers, again unlike the London Eye. The Wheel has 42 pods, including a VIP pod with glass floor, screen, radio, and leather interior. Like the rest of the Railway Museum, it is licensed as a venue for weddings, and weddings have taken place. 'Speed dating' on St Valentine's Day in 2007 also took place.

The wheel was originally planned to be in the Museum Gardens, on the other side of the River Ouse, however the current site was preferred by the City of York Council due to residents' protests. Current planning permission is for three years.

Norwich Union, which has its headquarters in York, were the sponsors of the Wheel, but that ended in late July 2007, after which the White Rose of Yorkshire was added to the Wheel's centre.

On the Wheel's first anniversary, it was reported to have had 32,500 revolutions. ^[2]

In March 2008, tourist chiefs for the city called for the wheel to become a permanent fixture beyond its three years.^[3].

[edit] Image Gallery

Yorkshire Wheel.	The Yorkshire Wheel on opening day	View across York from Wheel.	The York Wheel with York Minster in the background.
The Wheel from below.	The Wheel without pods, six days before it's opening.	One of the pods on the Yorkshire Wheel.	The Wheel during Valentine's week in 2008.
2 pods on the Yorkshire Wheel at the Boarding Bays