The world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide is set to thrill Londoners. The mega slippery-dip has been incorporated into the design of Anish Kapoor’s mammoth steel sculpture the Arcelormittal Orbit, aka Orbit Tower.
[View a video of the slide’s manufacture and construction, above]
The tower which stands by London’s Olympic stadium in Stratford was originally commissioned and constructed for the 2012 Olympics and is Britain’s largest piece of public art. It has stood sentry over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park ever since, it’s only function being as an abseiling platform.
But now the Arcelormittal Orbit is being re-born as a fun ride… and what a ride!
A whirl down the incredible 178 metre slide will take about 40 heart-pounding seconds, as you circle the structure 12 times in a drop of around 100 metres. If you can keep your eyes open you will be able to take in an amazing vista of the London skyline across the Thames as you whiz through the transparent sections of tubing.
The awesome slide opens on 24 June. Tickets are on sale now.
IMAGES: Courtesy Arcelormittal Orbit