An Evening Cruise on the River Thames
Apart from taking a Uber Boat to Greenwich last summer I’d never set foot (set sail?) on the iconic London river. So I thought an evening cruise on the River Thames would be a lovely thing to do as part of Ma and Pa Lee’s golden anniversary celebrations in London. After a bit of research, I settled on City Experiences, and their 2 hour Thames Evening River Cruise.
What happens on an evening cruise on the River Thames?
We board at 18:15 from Tower Pier, just a 10 minute stroll from the Tower of London where we had been admiring the wildflower display of the Superbloom. Departure is at 18:30; we return to Tower Pier just before 20:30. Our ticket includes a glass of bubbly, but there’s also a fully stocked bar available. If you’re happy to queue. Hot and cold canapés are served throughout the cruise.
We cruise up the river towards the Palace of Westminster, passing under some of London’s famous bridges. On the return journey, we pass beneath the beautiful Tower Bridge. The bascules are raised, just for us. Okay, not just for us, for a much taller boat, but our skipper took advantage and we sailed underneath for a perfect photo opportunity. Our journey then takes us east, past Limehouse Basin and the old riverside pubs of Wapping before making a 360 turn at Canary Wharf.
For the first hour, we sit on the top deck before the light summer breeze turns decidedly chilly. Guitarist and vocalist Will Tierney treats us to a playlist of crowd pleasing tunes.
What will I see?
The river cruise is an opportunity to see some of London’s glittering riverside landmarks from the water. A Thames greatest hits, if you will. We pass a plethora of famous landmarks. We leave the Tower of London behind, cruising past buildings such as The Shard, piercing the sky on the South Bank, and the imposing dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s a montage of postcard views: Cleopatra’s Needle, The London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben. The Palace of Westminster marks the mid-point of the cruise as we return for a second sweep down the Thames, pointing out things we missed the first time round.
There are plenty of opportunities to take photographs, and you’re free to roam around the boat to get a unique perspective of London. Keep an eye out for Sir Ian McKellan’s riverside pub The Grapes, and the partially submerged Anthony Gormley statue – a sibling to those we spotted in Edinburgh.
Useful Information about an evening cruise on the River Thames
The cruise operates in all weathers, but on a warm evening it’s lovely to catch the breeze on the deck. Definitely take something to cover your arms. We did find found plentiful seating below deck when the breeze got a little too much. There’s no particular dress code – just the much-maligned “smart-casual”. Guests were wearing all sorts of garb.
This particular cruise departs from Tower Pier. Other cruises depart from different points along the riverside so make sure you check beforehand! They follow a strict schedule so make sure that you arrive at the pier at the recommended time (at least 15 minutes before departure). I printed copies of the tickets (old-school) just in case of technological hiccups. Tickets are scanned when you board.
Tickets are £33 per adult, for a two hour cruise with a glass of bubbly and canapés. Children under 13 aren’t permitted on this particular cruise, but there are plenty of other family-friendly daytime cruises available.
Whether you’re a returning London visitor, or exploring the capital for the first time, an evening cruise on the River Thames is the perfect way to spend a couple of hours.
You can book tickets for City Experiences River Thames Cruises here.
