World’s biggest tunnel slide to reopen in the UK after being forced to close last year
THE world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide is set to reopen in London – and it’s just in time for the half-term holidays.
The Olympic Park’s iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit closed at the beginning of last year for essential maintenance.
Built to commemorate London‘s 2012 Olympic Games, Zip World, announced the reopening of the huge site after it took over the attraction last year.
Designed by Sir Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for London 2012, the ArcelorMittal Orbit delighted visitors during the games before reopening to the public in 2014.
While the London attraction closed in 2024, it is set to reopen on February 14, just in time for the half-term holidays.
When it opens next month, the ArcelorMittal Orbit will become Zip World’s first site in the South East of England.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit isn’t just a huge sculpture, it’s also home to the world’s biggest tunnel slide, the Helix.
Standing at 76m and stretching for 178m, brave visitors can reach speeds of up to 15mph on the slide.
The huge tunnel slide also features 12 turns, which twist and snake around the Olympic Park sculpture, making for a dizzying journey.
If this sounds too stomach-churning, then visitors can also take in panoramic views over London from the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing deck.
Located at the top of the sculpture, the viewing platform boasts views for as far as 20 miles on a clear day.
Roughly, 1.2million have visited the London-based attraction since it opened to the public.
Visitors have praised the attraction in their reviews on TripAdvisor, with one person writing: “The views across London are spectacular, and you get great views across the park, the stadium, and the city”.
ZipWorld boss, Andrew Hudson, added: “We are excited to announce the re-opening date for the ArcelorMittal Orbit at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ready for half term.
“This is just the start for Zip World in London, and we can’t wait to welcome both locals and thrill-seekers from around the world.
“We’ve got many more epic adventures lined up that will redefine urban excitement in the heart of the city.
“We’ll continue working closely with LLDC as we expand our off world-class experiences to bring something truly unique to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.”
Entry tickets to the ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 viewing deck start from £7, with tickets for Helix starting from £14.
Adventure giant Zip World has a host of other attractions in the UK, including the UK’s first zipline rollercoaster at Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia.
The Aero Explorer ride opened in 2023 and offers thrill-seekers a “high-speed journey across the quarry” like no other.
An overhead track is connected to a harness on the rider, which enables them to glide around as if they’re on a rollercoaster.
The track is found high above the quarry, offering views of the landscape as people fly around connected to the circuit above.
Riders move at speeds of up to 30mph while zipping through the 400m track, which has three loops as well as plenty of other twists and turns.
How to do a kid-friendly trip to London
The Sun’s Head of Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire on why London is a perfect family city break destination
CAPITAL cities don’t usually have a reputation for being the most
child-friendly of places, but having raised a 6 year old in London, I can categorically say that is not the case here.
From parks, pubs and theatre to free museums and attractions, there is enough to fill a month’s worth of family holiday.
One of our crowning glories has to be the parks, with huge amounts of green space wherever you are in the city.
Take a pedalo on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, or sign up for the Go Ape tree tops ropes course in Battersea, followed by a pizza at the
playground restaurant (and then head over to the Power Station for the
Lego shop).
Alternatively, clamber on the pirate ship at the Diana Princess of Wales
Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, or take a break at the
Coram’s Fields playground that is astonishingly huge for its Soho
location.
Of course, given its tendency to rain, there is plenty to do in bad
weather too.
Among my favourite museums are the free-to-enter Science Museum
(although remember to book the hugely popular Wonder Lab), the Postal Museum with its underground mail train and the Transport Museum, with its opportunity to get behind the wheel of a London bus.
Attractions-wise, my son is a huge fan of both the London Eye and the
London Eye river boat cruise, and there are always plenty of extra
activities at locations like the London Wildlife Trust centres, the
Southbank Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Hall during school holidays.
Failing that, why not hop on the London Underground or take a seat in
the front row of a double decker bus – you might see it as stinky old
public transport, but I can guarantee you that your child will be
enthralled.
When it comes to refuelling, plenty of London’s pubs are incredibly
child-friendly. One of my best recommendations would be the Brewdog
Pub In Waterloo, which has a slide inside, its own ice cream van and a
bowling alley – letting you sip your beer in peace.
Alternatively, try Sixes Social Cricket bars, which have cricket
batting simulators in all of their bars, along with excellent food and
drink.
And finally, you can’t hit London without seeing a show. The Unicorn
Theatre in London Bridge is designed especially for kids, with all of
its shows designed for children.
There are loads on at the West End theatres too. If you’re going to be
in the city in August, make use of the Kids Theatre Week offers that
let you get two-for-one seats to hugely popular family friendly shows.
Earlier this year, London was named TripAdvisor’s best destination in the world – and Sun Travel picked their favourite haunts from pubs and bars to museums and theatre shows.
And here’s a crazy London airport that was nearly built next to Big Ben.