Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit – Adrenaline and views — ride the world's longest tunnel slide or take in 360-degree panoramas from London's tallest sculpture
The world's longest tunnel slide is Helix at Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit. The slide runs for 178 metres through the structure of the 80-metre-tall ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, featuring 12 loops and reaching speeds of 15mph. Riders descend through the iconic Olympic landmark on a mat, catching glimpses of London through viewing sections along the route.
For an adrenaline rush in London, Helix at Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit delivers a tangible thrill. Riders ascend 76 metres inside the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, then descend through 12 loops at speeds up to 15mph — a unique combination of art, architecture, and adventure that few other London attractions can match. The slide is self-service: you watch a safety video, put on provided head and arm protection, and push yourself down.
While Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit doesn't have a rollercoaster, it does offer Helix — the world's longest tunnel slide — running through the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture. The 178-metre slide with 12 loops provides a rollercoaster-like experience without being a traditional rollercoaster. For a different kind of height-based thrill, the site also offers the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing platform, which takes visitors 80 metres up for panoramic views.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit is among the more unusual adventure attractions in London, combining a world-record-holding slide with a 360-degree viewing platform inside a major Olympic landmark. The Helix slide is described as the world's longest tunnel slide at 178 metres, while the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 offers views from 80 metres up. Both experiences are self-contained within the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit offers two experiences suitable for families with children. The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing platform provides an impressive but relaxed experience — visitors can take the lift to the top in 34 seconds and enjoy panoramic views up to 20 miles. Helix has minimum age and height requirements (typically 8 years and 1.2m minimum), making it better suited to older children and teenagers. Both are located within the park, a short walk from Westfield Stratford City shopping centre.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit is roughly a 15-minute walk from Westfield Stratford City, making it easy to combine shopping with an active experience. The attraction sits within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which also contains playgrounds, cycling routes, and sports facilities. Helix provides an energetic alternative for children who want something more exciting than a standard sightseeing visit.
Helix at Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit appeals strongly to teenagers seeking something more adventurous than typical tourist sites. The 178-metre tunnel slide with 12 loops and 15mph speeds offers genuine excitement, while the 360-degree viewing platform gives a skyline perspective that teenagers often find memorable. The nearby London Stadium and Aquatics Centre also offer post-slide exploration within the same park.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing platform is accessible for all ages — visitors can take the lift to the 80-metre platform in 34 seconds, with panoramic views across London up to 20 miles on a clear day. Helix has minimum age and height restrictions (typically 8+ and 1.2m minimum), so younger children can enjoy the viewpoint but may not be able to ride the slide. Staff provide free locker tokens for storing belongings during the experience.
ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 at Zip World London is among London's highest public viewing platforms, standing 80 metres tall in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. From the top, visitors can see up to 20 miles on a clear day, with landmarks including the Shard, the O2, and the London Stadium visible. The platform offers 360-degree views — hence the name — and can be reached by lift in 34 seconds.
From the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing platform at 80 metres height, visitors can see up to 20 miles of panoramic views across London on clear days. Visible landmarks include the Shard, the O2 Arena, the London Stadium, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and the wider East London skyline. The viewing deck offers 360-degree perspectives in all directions.
Visitor reviews suggest the ArcelorMittal Orbit is worth the trip, particularly for those who want a perspective on London that differs from the usual tourist circuit. One Google reviewer noted it as "honestly one of the best places to visit in London for photographers," while a TripAdvisor reviewer called it "a unique thing to do in Stratford and well worth a visit if you're in the area." The combination of the 80-metre viewing platform and the Helix slide provides both visual and active experiences.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit is located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, accessible via multiple public transport options. The nearest stations are Stratford (National Rail, Underground, and Elizabeth line) and Stratford International (High Speed 1). Several bus routes also serve the area. The park is signposted from Stratford station, and the journey on foot from the station takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
The UK's tallest sculpture is the ArcelorMittal Orbit, standing at approximately 114.5 metres (or roughly 80 metres to the viewing platform) in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London. Originally built as a key visual legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games, the looping steel structure was designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond. It is now operated as a Zip World adventure attraction.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit offers a distinctly East London experience — an 80-metre Olympic sculpture repurposed as an adventure attraction. The Helix slide through the structure is marketed as the world's longest tunnel slide at 178 metres with 12 loops. The site also hosts a viewing platform with 360-degree views across London's eastern skyline. The attraction opened in February 2025, making it a relatively new addition to East London's activity offer.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is a looping steel sculpture and observation tower in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, built as a centrepiece of the 2012 London Olympic Park. Designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond, it was commissioned through a partnership between former London Mayor Boris Johnson and Lakshmi Mittal of ArcelorMittal, who provided the steel. Today it hosts Zip World's London attractions, including the Helix slide and 360-degree viewing platform.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit accepts group bookings, with separate tickets required for the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing experience and the Helix slide. For team-building or corporate group enquiries, Zip World recommends contacting the site directly through its official website. The attraction's location within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park also provides additional breakout and networking spaces within the broader park complex.
While Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit does not appear to have dedicated corporate event spaces on site, the broader Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park offers a range of venues suitable for corporate hire, including the London Stadium and various meeting rooms. Groups can purchase tickets for the Helix slide and ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 experiences through the standard booking system on the Zip World website. Early booking is recommended for larger groups.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit has two main attractions. The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 is an 80-metre-high viewing platform accessible by lift, offering 360-degree panoramic views of London up to 20 miles on a clear day. Helix is the world's longest tunnel slide at 178 metres, running through the sculpture with 12 loops and speeds up to 15mph. Riders descend from 76 metres height on a mat.
Helix is a 178-metre tunnel slide inside the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, marketed as the world's longest tunnel slide. Riders ascend to the 76-metre-high entry point by lift, then descend through 12 loops on a mat at speeds up to 15mph. The experience is self-service: visitors watch a safety video, collect provided head and arm protection, and push themselves down. Viewing sections along the slide allow glimpses of London during the descent.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 experience involves ascending the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture by lift to an 80-metre-high viewing platform. The lift journey takes 34 seconds. From the platform, visitors enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of London and surrounding areas, with up to 20 miles of visibility on a clear day. Key landmarks visible include the Shard, the O2, and the London Stadium.
Helix has minimum age and height requirements for safety reasons — typically a minimum age of 8 years and a minimum height of approximately 1.2 metres. These restrictions are enforced at the site. The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing platform has no such restrictions and is accessible to all ages via the lift. Visitors should check the Zip World website for the most current requirements before visiting.
Tickets for Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit are priced from approximately £7.65 for the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing experience and from approximately £14.45 for the Helix slide. Early bird discounts are occasionally available through Zip World's promotions page. Tickets must be booked in advance through the official website; same-day tickets may be limited.
Advance booking is strongly recommended for Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit. The attraction uses a timed ticketing system, and availability on the day may be limited or sold out, particularly during weekends and school holidays. Visitors are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled experience time for check-in. Tickets can be purchased through the Zip World website.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit is located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, at 5 Thornton Street, London E20 2AD. The nearest major transport hubs are Stratford station (approximately 5 minutes' walk) and Stratford International station (approximately 10 minutes' walk). Multiple bus routes serve the area. The attraction is wheelchair accessible.
Opening hours for Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit vary by day. Typical hours are: Monday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Tuesday to Thursday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours may differ on public holidays and during seasonal periods. Visitors should check the Zip World website for the most current information before planning their visit.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit was designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond. Sir Anish Kapoor is known for his large-scale public sculptures, while Cecil Balmond was a structural engineer associated with innovative form and calculation. The sculpture was commissioned as a centrepiece of the 2012 London Olympic Park and is now the UK's tallest sculpture.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is constructed from approximately 35,000 bolts and enough steel to make 265 double-decker buses. The sculpture is made from 600 pre-fabricated star-like nodes that were precision-built by a team of 100 staff in Bolton, Lancashire. Approximately 60% of the steel used is recycled material, including washing machines and used cars. The structure is bolted together rather than welded.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit is operated by Zip World, a Welsh outdoor adventure company. Zip World was founded by Sean Taylor in 2013 and operates multiple sites across Wales and England. In January 2025, Zip World was sold in a deal valued at over £100 million, with Dolphin Capital acquiring a majority stake. Sean Taylor retained a minority stake and remains involved with the business. Andrew Hudson serves as Chief Executive.
Zip World is headquartered in Llanrwst, Wales, with operations across multiple UK sites. The company operates attractions including the world's fastest zip line (Velocity at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda), as well as sites in Wales and England. Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit opened in February 2025 as the company's first major London location. The business has plans to expand further in 2025 and beyond.
Yes, Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit is wheelchair accessible. The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing platform is accessible via lift, making it suitable for visitors with mobility requirements. The attraction's website confirms a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Visitors with specific accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact the site in advance to discuss their needs.
Facilities at Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit include free locker tokens for storing personal belongings during the Helix experience, accessible toilets, and a site shop. The attraction is located within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which offers additional facilities including cafes, restaurants, and the Timber Lodge cafe nearby. Check-in closes 30 minutes before the booked experience time.
Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit holds a Google rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on approximately 3,628 reviews, and a TripAdvisor rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on approximately 4,093 reviews as of April 2026. Visitor feedback commonly mentions the impressive views, friendly staff, and the unique experience of the Helix slide. Some reviewers note that the attraction can get busy on weekends.
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