Forget The Tube … See London Using the Thames!

If you want to get around and see all that London has to offer, but don’t fancy the hustle and bustle of the capital’s public transport, then why not book a Thames river cruise instead? We sent blogger Donna Pilling on our hop-on hop-off Thames river cruise to report back on how much easier it is than the Tube!

After a morning spent on foot, my partner and I were excited to board the cruise at Westminster. We couldn’t wait to see London up close (and rest our tired feet!). Expecting to see crowds of half-term tourists at the Westminster boarding point, we were pleased to find that we could step right into the warmth of the awaiting boat.

The tour stops at Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier, with boats departing every half-an-hour. If you like, you can choose to experience the full 3-hour tour, or can hop on and off at any pier along the route. As we had the 48-hour ticket, we were free to see as much (or as little) as we wished. We chose to tour from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier.

Once on board, we were welcomed by Captain Gavin who was on hand throughout the tour to give us some insight in to the history of London’s iconic landmarks. Did you know that the London Eye alone can generate over £300,000 per day in the summer? We were surprised too!

The cruiser offers room for 300 passengers, and has toilet and café facilities on board. With ample room to sit down, indoors or outdoors, we chose to soak up the spectacular views from the outside. Under shelter from the rain, we were able to see the sights in comfort.

The Thames River Cruise offered us the perfect vantage point for viewing all the most famous London attractions from a larger-than-life perspective. For photography enthusiasts, touring the Thames can give you the unique chance to capture the perfect shot. With unrestricted views during the cruise, we photographed so many of London’s sights that we couldn’t have captured elsewhere.

There really is something for everyone on the Thames River Cruise, whether you’re looking for a relaxing, stress-free way to watch the sights roll by or just a scenic way to commute. With a free child place with every adult ticket purchased, it’s the perfect half-term treat.