Zip Wire — ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower

The ArcelorMittal Orbit zip wire descends 178m from the observation deck of Anish Kapoor's 114.5m sculpture in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford — the tallest public artwork in the United Kingdom. Riders are fitted with a full-body harness and helmet before being clipped onto the cable and launched from the top of the structure, with the descent itself lasting only around 40 seconds, though the full visit including check-in, harness fitting, and lift access to the top takes roughly 45 minutes. The ride has a weight limit of 40kg to 130kg, which effectively sets it as unsuitable for young children, and participants need no climbing or harness experience since staff attach and release the harness at each end. The attraction is operated by the team behind the ArcelorMittal Orbit itself, working with Anish Kapoor Studio, and staff run a brief safety briefing covering harness checks, body position during the descent, and landing procedure before each group departs. Because the ride is entirely mechanised and staff-controlled, there is no rescue or self-rescue element for riders to learn — the cable and braking system are fixed and monitored throughout. Sessions run year-round but can be suspended in high winds or icy conditions, since the structure is fully exposed at height, so the best conditions fall between April and October when weather is calmer. Tickets can be combined with general admission to the Orbit's observation deck and Europe's longest tunnel slide, which also descends from the same structure.