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Picture the scene. It’s 1999, and the government has just spent £789 million building a giant dome-shaped building in southeast London. But what promised to be a turn-of-the-millennium world-class exhibition venue, ended up a bit of a dud.
We’re of course talking about the infamous Millennium Dome – now the O2 Arena – which turns 25 this year. The Dome was one of four major attractions that opened in London to mark the year 2000. Twenty-five years on, we look back at the iconic landmarks that arrived in the capital to herald in a new millennium.
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Millennium Dome
Ah, 2000. It was a simpler time. There were no Lime bikes, or street vox-poppers, and barely any small plates restaurants. Perhaps one of the biggest scandals of the era was the misfortunate Millennium Dome, which opened on New Year’s Eve 1999. After its bizarre opening exhibition, which offered an immersive human body experience, circus performers and a cinema, the dome eventually became the O2 as we know it today.
Millennium Bridge
The once wobbly bridge had to close immediately after opening when it was revealed it couldn’t hold the weight of all the people crossing it. It’s all fixed now, and is currently in the midst of a (delayed) £3.5 million makeover.
London Eye
Back in 2000 the London Eye was actually called the Millennium Wheel, and was the world’s biggest ferris wheel. It was only meant to be temporary, but in May 2024 it officially became a permanent attraction. Phew!
Tate Modern
We’re not sure where Londoners went to see modern art in London before the arrival of this behemoth in an old power station. The Tate Modern opened its doors to the public on May, 12, 2000. Second gallery the Switch House came later, arriving in 2016.
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