The ArcelorMittal Orbit: a new landmark for the city

Each spring London wakes up, shakes off the memory of a tough winter and becomes alive to a host of exciting possibilities. This year is no exception, with April seeing the reopening of the ArcelorMittal Orbit at the heart of a revitalised Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

Created by Turner Prize-winning artist Sir Anish Kapoor and designer Cecil Balmond, the ArcelorMittal Orbit became an instant emblem of contemporary UK design and engineering in the brilliant summer of 2012. Millions of people across the globe came to know it as a London landmark, whether lit by fireworks during the Olympic opening ceremony or standing resolutely in the background as a unique symbol of the capital during the Games. The 2,000-tonne steel structure was impossible to ignore, and at 114.5 metres in height, that’s not surprising: it’s the largest sculpture in the UK and taller than the Statue of Liberty.

On April 5, the ArcelorMittal Orbit will be open to the public, offering visitors a dazzling array of views in every direction. From the upper viewing platform you can see Wembley Stadium to the west, Alexandra Palace to the north, Crystal Palace to the south, City landmarks including St Paul's Cathedral, Canary Wharf in Docklands and many miles into Essex beyond east London.

After you’ve had your fill of spectacular views and you’ve come back down to earth, in both senses, you’ll be ready for a drink and something to eat. Thankfully, the East Twenty Bar and Kitchen sits at the base of the sculpture in the new Podium building. It’s open daily from breakfast time, and you can pick up everything from coffee and a pastry to lunch made with fresh, seasonal produce, locally sourced where possible. Even better, you can enjoy your food on the roof terrace overlooking the newly landscaped park. If you want to invite a few friends to join you at this cosy hangout spot, the kitchen can also cater for larger groups.

As well as a new sense of the city, visitors to the ArcelorMittal Orbit also get an unrivalled bird’s eye view of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. After you’ve scaled the heights, explore the exciting landscape at ground level. Swim at the Zaha Hadid-designed London Aquatics Centre, get on your bike at Lee Valley VeloPark, or just relax amid 560 acres of lush parkland. There are also four themed walking trails, and if you’re lucky you might even catch the London Lions (the city’s only pro basketball team) shooting some hoops in the Copper Box Arena.

Tickets for the ArcelorMittal Orbit cost £15 for adults, £12 for seniors/concs and £7 for under-16s, and local residents get £2 off the standard ticket prices. For tickets and information on group bookings, including for schools, find out more at arcelormittalorbit.com.

See our top picks for great things to do at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park below.