ArcelorMittal Orbit Abseil

The event is located at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton Street, London E20 2AD.

The nearest tube station is Stratford. From there you’ll need to walk through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (approximately 15 minute walk) to the base of the ArcelorMittal Orbit (you can’t miss it!). The abseil area is signposted from the waterfront. 

Start time slots will be every half an hour from 10am to 5.30pm (apart from 1.30pm and 2pm where there will be a short break). You should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your allocated start time to register, grab some refreshments and meet the St Mungo’s team.

Your start time will be confirmed with you via email two weeks before the event date. Until we let you know your start time, please keep the whole day free.

You will take on the abseil in groups of five at a time and a new group will be taken up to the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit every half an hour from 10am to 5.30pm (apart from 1.30pm and 2pm where there will be a short break).

Your abseil experience will last around two hours from when you arrive, but this can vary depending on the number of supporters taking part and the weather conditions on the day.

Of course! You’re more than welcome to take part in the event as a team.

Only five people can take on the challenge at once – so if your team is larger than this, you will have to split up into two separate groups.

Please let us know the full names of the team members who you would like to take on the challenge with when you register. We will do our best to accommodate your requests, but unfortunately due to scheduling restrictions in place on event day this may not always be possible.

The event organisers constantly monitor the weather situation and we will keep you updated in advance if they feel that the weather may affect your event. The event organisers reserve the right to postpone your event due to bad weather (strong winds, heavy rain, electric storms) for safety reasons.

If your abseil is postponed due to bad weather, you will have the option to transfer your place onto the new rescheduled event date or re-book your abseil at a later date that suits you instead.

The event organisers advise that your shoulders, midriff and upper legs should be covered. No loose clothing should be worn e.g. long skirts or flowing cardigans. You should wear closed toe shoes, trainers or boots that won’t fall off. Open toe shoes, flipflops, sandals or high heels are not permitted. Long hair must be tied back. Jewellery and scarves must be removed. Weather at the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit is often magnified, so please bring a waterproof jacket and warm layer to wear on the abseil platform.

There are lockers available to put your personal belongings in but these are left at your own risk. They are not particularly large so please only bring what you need on the day.

Yes! Spectators are welcome at the World Homelessness Day Abseil. The ArcelorMittal Orbit is open to the public on the day of the event, so friends and family can purchase tickets via their website to watch the abseil from the top of the structure. This also allows spectators to watch from beside the landing site, although there is limited space. Please note that there is an exclusion zone around the actual landing site and entry by public is strictly forbidden for safety reasons.

It is also possible to watch from the roof terrace cafe, or from just outside the boundary of the ArcelorMittal Orbit next to the abseil landing area – both provide a great view of the abseil and do not require paid entry to the attraction.

You can find more information about the abseil by visiting the event organiser’s website or by emailing the Events Team on events@mungos.org.