Soar 180 feet above Windsor and delight in its majesty at the

Royal Windsor Observation Wheel

 

Saturday 8^th July to Sunday 3^rd September 2006

 

Following the huge success of Royal Windsor Ice Rink’s inaugural season at Alexandra Gardens PWR Eye Ltd and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead are delighted to announce that another unique attraction will be brought to Alexandra Gardens – the Royal Windsor Observation Wheel - which will be open from Saturday 8^th July through Sunday 3^rd September from 11am daily.

 

The Royal Windsor Observation Wheel will be situated at the eastern end of Alexandra Gardens and has a giant diameter of 55 metres (180 feet).  Attached to the wheel are 40 observation pods, which each take a maximum of 6 people.  Each observation pod has a pearlised luminescence and the rim of the wheel is set with a single row of white lights.  Though there are a number of temporary observation wheels around the globe the Royal Windsor Observation Wheel is at the cutting edge of technology and is unique in having a self-stabilising mounting – unlike other temporary wheels around the country.  Each Royal Windsor Wheel Experience will encompass a number of rotations and will last approximately 20 minutes.

 

The Windsor Wheel Experience will give stunning views of the medieval towers battlements of Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and the favourite weekend home of the Queen, Royal Windsor, and the majestic River Thames as it meanders through the natural beauty and famous landmarks of Windsor and Eton and the surrounding countryside.

Royal Windsor is a unique town and the Royal Windsor Wheel will be another jewel fitting within its crown.  Windsor Castle was originally constructed over 900 years ago on the instructions of the victorious William the Conqueror, and built by his armies - high above the river Thames on the edge of the Saxon hunting grounds the castle was perfectly situated for guarding the western approaches.  The River Thames wends its way through Windsor on its 215 miles passage from its source in the Cotswolds through to the estuary at Southend and at Windsor is graced by hundreds of mute swans, all are owned by Her Majesty The Queen and the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery companies.

 

Booking for the Royal Windsor Observation Wheel will open on Tuesday 30 May 2006 online at www.royalwindsorwheel.com and www.lastminute.com.  Tickets, subject to availability, will also be on sale between 11am and 9pm (last tickets 8.30pm) at the Observation Wheel when it is operational.  It is anticipated that at weekends will sell extremely quickly so advance booking is strongly recommended.

 

Royal Windsor Wheel Press Passes are available for the evening of Friday 7^th July 2006.  For more information on Royal Windsor Observation Wheel, Passes, imagery and information on PWR Eye Limited or PWR Events Limited contact PAUL SAVIDENT on 020 8567 2089, or e-mail paul@savident.com.

 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

ROYAL WINDSOR OBSERVATION WHEEL

Saturday 8^th July to Sunday 3^rd September 2006

 

TICKET PRICES per session

 

Adult: £6.00   •  Children (under 16): £4.50  

 

Private Gondola: £30.00   •   Private Gondola with champagne: £60.00

 

Windsor Advantage Card:  A 10% discount off the total price of tickets bought

 

PLEASE NOTE:

§         A Gondola seats a maximum of 6 people.

§         Children must be accompanied by an adult.

§         If a Windsor Advantage Card has been used to purchase tickets it MUST be

            presented with tickets at the Royal Windsor Observation Wheel

§         There is no entrance charge to the Royal Windsor Observation Wheel Café

            which is situated alongside the Observation Wheel.

§         One Gondola has disabled access.

 

TICKETS AND ADVANCE BOOKING

 

On-line:  www.royalwindsorwheel.com (booking fees apply)

 

For School Parties and Corporate bookings call 020 8241 9818 – please note there is no booking fee for group bookings.

 

OPENING TIMES: 11am through 9pm – last tickets 8.30pm.

 

WEB ADDRESS:  www.royalwindsorwheel.com

 

 

DIRECTIONS:

The Royal Windsor Observation Wheel is situated at the eastern end of Alexandra Gardens, Windsor which is 25 miles West of London. The whole of the Royal Borough is easily accessible via the major motorway networks of the M3, M4, M25 and M40, and is well served by public transport.

By CAR: M4 - exit junction 6/ A355/ A332;  M3 - exit junction 3 (Bagshot)/ A322/ A332;  M25 - exit junction 13 (Egham)/ A308;  M40 - exit junction 2 (Beaconsfield)/ A355/ A332

Parking: There are car parks at Romney Lock (offering a free park and ride service to the town centre that stops a few minutes walk from the Royal Windsor Ice Rink), River Street, King Edward VII and Alma Road. The Theatre Ice Rink between approximately 2 and 5 minutes walk from the three mentioned central Windsor car parks - follow the parking signs as you enter the town.

By BUS: First Beeline operates services throughout the Royal Borough and to surrounding districts. Details are available on 01753 524144.  The Greenline Bus Company has a regular service from London Victoria to Windsor.  Times and fares information can be obtained on 0208 668 7261.

By TRAIN: Windsor is served by two railway stations which are just a short walk from the Royal Windsor Ice Rink.  Trains services operate from London Paddington and Reading to Windsor and Eton Central with a change at Slough and South West Trains operates direct services from London Waterloo via Richmond to Windsor and Eton Riverside. For train times and fares information call National Rail Enquiries on 0345 484950.