thames barrier boat trip

Thames Barrier Experience

Canary Wharf Experience

Tower RIB Blast

Ultimate Tower RIB Blast

• Transfer to Tower
• Transfer to Embankment
• Spy Experience

Tower Beast Ride

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Thames barrier experience, full guided commentary followed by our longest high speed boat ride, adult ticket (14+), child ticket (13 & under), private boat hire (12 max.), no booking fees charged.

Trips depart to / from Embankment Pier

70min: 20min Guided Commentary + 30min High-Speed + 20min Sightseeing

Trips available 7 days a week, Open All Year

Stereo System Pumping out James Bond Music & Other Tunes

Ponchos Supplied Free of Charge in need

Souvenirs can be Purchased including photos, keyrings, caps, neck tubes and more

1 Adult must accompany any children under 14 years

Minimum weight restriction: 15kg

The mega Thames Barrier gives you 70 minutes of high speed thrills, guided commentary and a chance to see so much more of London by River on our twin turbo 740hp high powered RIB’s. This is the longest trip that the Thames RIB Experience has to offer and is the Ultimate option for sightseeing addicts & Adrenaline junkies.

Get all that the Canary Wharf Experience has to offer with an added 25 minutes of intense G-force and jaw dropping sights.

SIGHTS YOU WILL SEE

Cleopatra’s Needle

Millennium Bridge

Tate Modern

Shakespeare’s Globe

HMS Belfast

Tower Of London

Tower bridge

Canary Wharf

Thames Barrier

"Fantastic experience"

I have done speed boat trips on the Thames before but this was the first time with this company and will definitely not be the last. Both myself and my companions had an amazing time, the commentary was great and gave us all a laugh at times.

"Great fun speedboat trip"

Did this trip at the weekend and it was great. Excellent commentary following by an exhilarating speed boat trip down to the Thames Barrier. My teenaged sons loved it and we’d all recommend it as a trip out.

SOUVENIRS AVAILABLE

We have limited edition merchandise available at our kiosk, as well as hard-copy and digital photos which capture the moment you & your crew embark on the invigorating, full-throttle speed section of your trip. Have a look what we have on offer!

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EXPERIENCES

RIB Blast at the O2

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Tower to Embankment Transfer

Embankment to Tower Transfer

Ultimate Spy Experience

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The Thames Barrier Information Centre

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The Thames Barrier Information Centre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• IFS Cloud Cable Car and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers Hop On Hop Off Pass (From $46.40)
• Speedboat 'Thames Barrier Experience' to/from Embankment Pier - 70 minutes (From $77.54)
• Speedboat 'Ultimate Tower Blast' from Tower Millennium Pier - 40 minutes (From $61.02)
• Speedboat 'THE THAMES BEAST' from Tower Millennium Pier - 40 mins (From $61.02)
• PRIVATE HIRE SPEEDBOAT 'ULTIMATE TOWER RIB BLAST' FROM TOWER PIER - 40 Minutes (From $641.95)
• (0.24 mi) Harlinger Lodge
• (0.22 mi) Harlinger Lodge Annexe
• (0.26 mi) Woolwich Serviced Apartments
• (0.58 mi) Courtyard by Marriott London City Airport
• (0.61 mi) Travelodge London City Airport Hotel
• (0.10 mi) The Chef House Kitchen
• (0.26 mi) White Horse Bar & Bistro
• (0.27 mi) McDonald's
• (1.86 mi) Kinaara
• (1.07 mi) EaTurkish

• +44 (0) 20 3778 0700
• [email protected]
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• THAMES HISTORY

Sightseeing At Its Best

Explore london with thames river sightseeing.

Make the most of your adventure! Join our local skippers and friendly team for an unforgettable Thames River cruise.

THAMES RIVER CRUISE TICKETS

Tickets & packages.

• Thames River Sightseeing Cruise Ticket

Westminster to Greenwich | Thames River Sightseeing

Travel from Westminster to Greenwich and enjoy beautiful views over London’s famous landmarks with our River Thames Sightseeing cruise.

Circular Cruise: Westminster to Bankside and Tower Bridge

See the best of beautiful London from the waters on this  Thames River Sightseeing cruise, from Westiminster to Bankside and Tower Bridge.

2 Day River Pass | Hop On Hop Off

Our 2-day hop-on and hop-off Thames River Sightseeing ticket is the best way to explore London from the water – with unlimited river travel over two consecutive days to enjoy at your own pace.

Bankside to Westminster via Tower Bridge | Sightseeing River Cruise

Climb aboard our sightseeing tour at Bankside and head to Tower Bridge and Westminster.

THAMES RIVER SIGHTSEEING

Featured Attractions

There’s so much to see when you’re on your Thames River Sightseeing cruise that you’re bound to find at least one place you’ll want to visit. Explore iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Shard, & more!

• Closest Pier: Bankside Pier

TOWER OF LONDON

• Closest Pier: Greenwich Pier

ROYAL OBSERVATORY

Shakespeare's globe, st. paul's cathedral.

• BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
• EXPERT CREW

Are you a group of 15 or more? Book now and get 15% off your tickets. Please select a cruise below and the discount will automatically be applied for group bookings of at least 15 people.

Select a cruise for your group and get 15% off your tickets when check out.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our common answer to your common questions. Didn’t see what you are looking for? Click the button below to read all our FAQs.

The Thames is a chock-a-block full of London landmarks, including the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Cutty Sark, as well as modern attractions like the London Eye and the Shard. Rest assured your skipper will point out all the points of interest in an entertaining and informative commentary.

• Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JH
• Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6NU
• Festival Pier, Riverside Walk, London, SE1 9PX
• Bankside Pier, Bankside, London, SE1 9PD
• Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine Docks, 50 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LA
• Greenwich Pier, King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT

• +44 (0) 20 3778 700
• [email protected]

"Boats for every occasion."

Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)

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Daytime Cruises from Greenwich Pier

Thames river sightseeing.

A visit to London isn’t complete without a cruise on the River Thames. Thames River Sightseeing operate regular services from five piers on the River Thames including Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier   & Greenwich Pier. Thames River Sightseeing cruise 361 days a year & operate a fleet of all-weather vessels with spacious open decks perfect for the summer months & heated saloons with panoramic windows for the colder months. The vessels range from more traditional River Thames passenger boats (London Rose) to more modern vessels purposefully built for the River Thames (Thomas Doggett) .

Passengers can embark at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier or Greenwich & take advantage of a range of ticketing options. Single tickets are suited for day trippers or passengers travelling in or out of London & return tickets allow passengers to disembark & explore before joining a return sailing later the same day. A 2 Day River Pass is the perfect option for anyone visiting London over multiple days. A River Pass allows unlimited travel on our services for just £21.00 per adult, a family River Pass is just £42.00 (for 2 Adults + 3 Children) .

Thames River Sightseeing also offer excellent group rates & discounts which are perfect for families, tour companies or travel trade. Toilet facilities & a Multilingual Audio Guide are available on all sailings. The Multilingual Audio Guide is an informative commentary available through our onboard Wi-Fi in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Mandarin (Smart device & headphones are not provided, Read More) .

Why Choose Thames River Sightseeing

• Modern & traditional sightseeing boats with open decks, heated saloons & toilet facilities.
• Regular departures: Currently every 40 minutes.
• Onboard Café Bars are open on Saturdays & Sundays serving hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks & light snacks. Some sailings between Monday & Friday may also have refreshments available. (Read More)
• Scenic cruises between Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier passing more than 44 London landmarks.
• Wi-Fi Audio Guide available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German & Mandarin. (Smart device & headphones are not provided, Read More)

Thames River Sightseeing Routes

We are currently operating 7-days a week calling at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier.

Piers on our Routes Westminster Pier (Houses of Parliament) Embankment Pier (Charing Cross, Villiers Street & Strand) Festival Pier (Royal Festival Hall & South Bank Centre) Bankside Pier (Globe Theatre & Tate Modern) Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)

Cruises Calling at Greenwich Pier

Greenwich pier to westminster pier.

• Single: 40-60 Minutes Return: 2 Hours
• From £14.00 per Adult

Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier

2 Day River Pass (Hop On / Hop Off at Five Piers)

• Duration: 2 Days
• From £21.00 per Adult

Embankment Pier to Greenwich Pier

• Single: 40-60 Minutes Return: 60-80 Minutes
• From £13.25 per Adult

Festival Pier to Greenwich Pier

Bankside Pier to Greenwich Pier

• Single: 35-45 Minutes Return: 60-80 Minutes
• From £10.75 per Adult

About Greenwich Pier

Greenwich Pier is located on the South shore of the River Thames in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pier sits between the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark & Sir Christopher Wren’s Riverside Masterpiece, the Old Royal Naval College. Today the Royal Borough of Greenwich is an eclectic mix of historical & modern buildings. Greenwich town centre is home to a collection of museums, pubs, restaurants, markets & shops.

A few of Greenwich’s historic buildings include the Queens House (designed by Inigo Jones & the first classical building in England) to the Royal Observatory (Sir Christopher Wren) or St. Alfege Church (Nicolas Hawksmoor).

Transportation Links*

Bus services.

• Greenwich Town Centre
•    108   
•    129   
•    177   
•    180   
•    188   
•    386   
•    286   

Docklands Light Railway

• Cutty Sark (For Maritime Greenwich)

National Rail

• Greenwich Station
•    Southeastern Railway   

 Greenwich Foot Tunnel

Private charters from greenwich pier.

Our versatile party boats are a popular choice for corporate & private events on the River Thames. Large open decks, heated saloons & fully licensed bars are just a few of the facilities to be found on-board.

We can provide a wide range of catering & dining options, perfectly paired with our extensive wine menu. Our entertainment options & decorations can also make your event truly unique.

Near Greenwich Pier

About Cutty Sark

Visit the last remaining tea clipper, Cutty Sark. Originally built at Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869 she spent her working life transporting cargo including tea from China and wool from Australia. She has now been fully restored and is an award winning visitor attraction.

• Self-guided tours with an audio guide available through Smartify.
• View the largest collection of Merchant Navy Figureheads in the world.
• Enjoy views from Cutty Sark’s deck overlooking Greenwich, the River Thames & the London skyline.
• Refreshments available in the Cutty Sark café.

Old Royal Naval College

About the Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College is Sir Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece, built in the 17th Century as the Royal Hospital for Seamen on the site of the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Old Royal Naval College boasts beautiful surroundings & some of the most magnificent interiors in London. The Painted Hall in King William Court is home to the largest painted ceiling in Europe, a Baroque masterpiece by Sir James Thornhill depicting over 300 years of English aristocracy & British Naval Power. The Chapel of St Peter & St Paul in Queen Mary Court has a beautiful interior designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stewart. Visitors to the Old Royal Naval College can enjoy tours of the Painted Hall & the grounds & visit the cafe & gift shop located in King William Court.

• Take a self guided tour of the Old Royal Naval College Grounds.
• Visit the Painted Hall & marvel at the largest painted ceiling in Europe.
• Take a guided tour of the grounds & the Painted Hall.
• Visit the Old Royal Naval College Chapel designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart.
• Explore the Ripley Tunnel & visit the Victorian Skittle Alley & bowl using practice cannon balls.
• Buy souvenirs & gifts at the Painted Hall Shop or the Greenwich Visitor Centre shop.
• Refreshments available in the Painted Hall Café in the beautifully restored undercroft.
• Visit The Old Brewery, a Young’s Gastropub located within the Old Royal Naval College grounds.
• Regular markets, events & exhibitions around the site.

Greenwich Market

About Greenwich Market

• Browse arts & crafts, antiques & souvenirs at the various market stalls.
• Try street food from around the world at the Greenwich Market food area.

National Maritime Museum

About the National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to maritime and naval history. Opened in 1937 by King George VI the museum is home to over 2 million items including art, charts, maps, memorabilia & artefacts.

• Explore the museums galleries & discover stories of the sea & maritime history.
• Refreshments available in Parkside Café & the Great Map Café.
• Purchase gifts & souvenirs in the National Maritime Museum Shop.

Greenwich Park

About Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks & has strong ties to the Tudor & Stuart monarchs. In the 15th century Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (brother to Henry V) was granted 200 acres of land & permission to construct a stone tower which later become known as Duke Humphrey’s Tower.

After the Duke’s death the land passed to the Crown & his riverside manor house was remodelled by Henry VII into what became the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Tudor palace was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I & Elizabeth the I & was a favourite residence of the Tudor monarchs due to its close proximity to the river & ample hunting ground. Henry VIII introduced deer to Greenwich Park & their decedents remain to this day.

The Stuart period saw great changes to the park with the demolition of the Palace of Placentia, the construction of the Queens House, Royal Hospital for Seamen (Now the Old Royal Naval College) & the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Tudor hunting grounds & pleasure gardens made way for a more formal landscape designed by André Le Notre, gardener to Louis XIV of France.

Today Greenwich Park spans 183 acres & forms one of London’s most magnificent landscapes. Greenwich Hill offers views of the Queens House, Old Royal Naval College, the River Thames & Docklands.

• Climb Greenwich Hill & stand across the Historic Prime Meridian.
• Climb Greenwich Hill & marvel at the view across Greenwich, Docklands & London.
• The Greenwich Park Playground is the perfect place for families to enjoy the park.
• Refreshments available in the Pavilion Café & the White House Café.

The Queens House

About the Queens House

The fan museum.

About the Fan Museum

Royal observatory greenwich.

About the Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Royal Observatory Greenwich was founded in 1675 by King Charles II. The Observatory sits on the hill in Greenwich Park and is the location of the Historic Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meantime). The Royal Observatory is also home to the Greenwich Time Ball which has marked 13:00 Greenwich Meantime everyday since 1833.

Rangers House

About Rangers House & the Werhner Collection

Rangers House was built c. 1700 by Vice-Admiral Francis Hosier. The house has been home to a number of residents over the years including the Rangers of Greenwich Park between 1816 & 1896. Rangers house is now home to the Werhner Collection, over 700 items assembled by the diamond magnate Julius Werhner.

 Greenwich Pier Location

**Transportation links are based on data from Transport for London , always check their website (tfl.gov.uk) when planning your journey.

Walking times & distances are average times based on data from Google Maps .

Book Tickets

Thames River Sightseeing operate daily cruises from Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier

Quick Select

View all piers.

We operate daytime cruises from 6 piers on the River Thames & private charters from over 20 piers. Click the link below to view all piers.

Viscount Cruises

Sightseeing.

• All Trips & Tours
• Daytime Cruises
• Evening Cruises
• Sunday Evening Cruise (Greenwich Pier)

Events & Cruises

• Winter & Christmas
• New Year's Eve

Private Charters

• Charter Rates
• Corporate Charters
• Celebrations
• Christmas Charters
• New Year's Eve Charters

Hospitality

• Bar Services
• Entertainment
• Décor & Styling
• Email - Private Charter Enquiries | [email protected]
• Email - Tickets & Support | [email protected]
• Operations Address | Viscount Cruises, Westminster Millennium Pier, Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2JH (By Appointment Only)
• Company Registration ID | 04290345
• VAT Number | 782685188
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Thames Cruises

For River Thames cruises in London to and from Westminster,Tower Of London,Tower Bridge,Greenwich, Richmond,Kew and Hampton Court.Book a sightseeing cruise to Oxford, Windsor, Marlow, Henley on the Upper Thames. Canal boat trips to London Zoo,Little Venice and Broxbourne. If you want your own private party you will need this section Party Boats .

Book public River Thames boat trips for the best Thames views of London (including Big Ben, Tower of London, the Thames Barrier) or enjoy a beautiful Royal River Thames cruise from Oxford, Reading, Windsor. All bookings will be subject to the operators Covid19 restrictions and safe conditions of use from hopefully 12th April onwards.

Travel Tips. The Tidal Thames extends from Teddington down river to Dartford and Southend (40+ miles) The Upper Thames starts at Teddington up river 170+ miles ( Windsor, Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley - Oxford and beyond to its source) With so many locks on the River Thames, many journeys from on the Upper Thames can't be done in any normal day. For all other boats and boating information click here.

What is the Thames Barrier & what exactly does it do?

If you’ve heard of the Thames Barrier but you’re not exactly sure what it is, or if you know what it is but you’d like to know more about it, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, discover everything you need to know about the Thames Barrier, how it works, and how to sail through with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers .

The Backstory

Having been built on a floodplain, large parts of London suffered significant flooding a fair few times during the 20th century. In 1928, 14 people drowned when the Thames overflowed and flooded much of central London. During the North Sea flood of 1953, hundreds of people lost their lives in the UK, and thousands were forced to evacuate their flood-damaged homes, including in East London.

Eventually, people began calling for a long-term solution to protect the capital city from future floods, as building higher and stronger walls and embankments would eventually hide the Thames. In 1974, construction of the Thames Barrier began as research had shown that a barrier with movable gates across the Thames would be the best option.

What is the Thames Barrier?

Spanning 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich, the Thames Barrier is the second-largest retractable flood defence barrier in the world (the largest is the Oosterscheldekering Barrier in the Netherlands).

The Thames Barrier took 8 years to build, and it became fully operational in 1984 – with the late Queen Elizabeth II presiding over its official opening.

The barrier has 10 steel gates that, when raised, are about as high as a 5-storey building. These 10 gates essentially divide the river into 10 individual flood gates, with each gate weighing approximately 3000 tonnes – a truly remarkable feat of engineering!

What does the Thames Barrier do?

Essentially, the Thames Barrier protects 125 square kilometres of central London from floods caused by high tides and storm surges.

When tides are forecast to be high enough to pose a potential threat (often during springtime), all 10 of the barrier’s steel gates are raised (closed) so that they can hold back the excess tidal flow and reduce the risk of flooding.

The barrier is usually closed about 8 or 9 hours before high tide, while traffic signals and online updates are used to notify river traffic of the closure.

How does the Thames Barrier work?

Each of the 10 gates that make up the Thames Barrier is designed to withstand an overall load of about 9,000 tonnes of water.

When the barrier is fully raised, it creates a solid steel wall that stops water from flowing upstream toward the city.

Each individual gate can be closed within about 10 minutes, but it takes about an hour and a half to completely close the entire barrier.

Once the water level upstream of the barrier matches the water level downstream, the barrier can then be reopened, allowing river traffic to pass through once again.

A test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled every month.

Visit the Thames Barrier with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Want to know how to get to the Thames Barrier so you can see it up close and personal? Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pass through the Thames Barrier on services to/from Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) and Barking Riverside piers. However, when the barrier is closed to prevent flooding or for tests, our services are unable to go through but you can take the boat to Royal Wharf Pier, from there or from the Thames Barrier Park you will get a great view of the Thames Barrier.

As well as being able to see the Thames Barrier when travelling with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, the barrier itself has an information centre , where you can find out more about the past, present and future of this iconic blockade.

Be sure to check out the Thames Barrier’s scheduled closures before planning your trip.

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City Cruises Westminster Pier

Westminster millenium pier.

Boat trips from Westminster pier allow you to experience the full City Cruises  sightseeing  tour along the River Thames as well as our  London Dinner Cruise  and  Thamesjet  speedboat boat ride.

Postcode: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH

Nearest Tube Stations:

Westminster Tube Station – Direct connection to the pier and is on the District, Circle and Jubilee lines.

Nearest Bus Stops:

• Westminster Stn / Westminster (H) – 148, 211
• Westminster Stn / Parliament Square (G) – 12, 159, 453, N53, N109, N155, N381
• Westminster Stn/ Parliament Square  (C)– 24, N53
• Westminster Stn / Parliament Square (A) –  3, 11, 12 , 87, 159,453, N3, N11, N44, N87, N109, N136,
• N155, N381.

Westminster Pier Santander Cycle Station is located on Victoria Embankment at road level.

Disabled Access:

The Pier is accessible

Ticket Booth Open Times:

Ticket office opening times: 10:00 – 18:00* *subject to change.

Things to do at Westminster Pier

Why not check out our Sightseeing and Dining Cruises or Thamesjet ! Where you can come on board at Westminster Millenium Pier and see London from a different view.

Closest Attractions near Westminster Pier

• Official Central London Experience

Other pier locations

How to get to westminster pier, where is westminster pier, can you take boat rides from westminster pier, how long is the boat trip from westminster to greenwich, who owns westminster pier, how much are westminster pier cruises.

• Sightseeing Tour – from £12
• London Dinner Cruise – from £79
• Thamesjet speedboat ride from £42

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Thames Barrier Park & Royal Docks – London Day Trip

I spotted Thames Barrier Park while reading a guidebook of parks in London. The guide book sold me, thus I had to visit. I chose a sunny blue sky day to make my move and head from home in Westminster in central London to Thames Barrier Park. I packed my bag for the day, camera fully charged, and the adventure was on. First, an introduction to the barrier and associated parkland.

What is Thames Barrier Park?

The Thames Barrier Park is a 7 acre park on the north bank of the River Thames . It is in the London Borough of Newham, near to Pontoon Dock DLR station. They name it after the Thames Flood Barrier, which is visible from the public open space.

What is the Thames Flood Barrier?

Since Roman times, London has been a problem for the city, thus a solution was required to protect the city from high tides. The solution to the problem was to create what we now know as the Thames Barrier.

It is a retractable system that they designed to prevent the floodplain of the city from being flooded. Mainly by abnormally high tides and storm surges. The Barrier has been fully operational since 1982. When the authorities feel the need, they close it during the predicted high tides, thus protecting the city.

Day-Trip to Thames Barrier Park & Royal Docks

The day started with a tube ride from Lancaster Gate station and navigated the underground to Embankment station. I had a quick mooch here, then google maps suggested the water taxi from Westminster Bridge to get near where I planned to be.

River Bus From Westminster Bridge

This trip was my first time on the TFL River Bus. Getting on the river bus was pretty simple. A case of find the right boat on Westminster Pier, then it’s just like the tube. You tap on with a payment card and tap off at the destination. I ended up heading the wrong way on the river, but hey ho, I got to pass Big Ben and houses or Parliament twice.

I finally got on the correct River Bus and back past Parliament, Big Ben and The London Eye. It was. It was a glorious day in London and passing all the sights on the river was fantastic. Next up was passing under Milenium Bridge, which opened up views to the iconic St Pauls Cathedral. This was a superb view of the cathedral and surrounding architecture.

Onwards, the boat chugged and passed under the even more iconic Tower Bridge. The views from the open water were fantastic and a glorious sport to take photographs of Tower Bridge.

Heading downstream, the boat passed Canary Wharf and the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline. Then onwards to North Greenwich Pier. The Pier was where I had alighted the boat and continue onwards.

Cable Car across the River Thames

From the pier, it was a quick walk to Emirates Greenwich Peninsula for a cable car ride across the River Thames. This was, again, pretty simple to use, tapping in and off using the payment card. Once paid, visitors have to await the next gondola, climb aboard, then enjoy the ride.

The ride takes you high above the river and opens up some fantastic views of the London skyline. The views were spectacular, although over quickly as the journey across doesn’t take long. At the other end, getting off was easy too, except my legs were like jelly. It triggered my mild vertigo, caused by looking down too much.

Walk Through the Royal Docks London

The next part of the adventure was a delightful walk through The Royal Docks, then past the Excel Arena. There were some nice big boats moored up here and looked great. Google maps took me on to the high footbridge called the Royal Victoria Dock Footbridge. This involved lots of steps, then some more views from the walkway, then back to ground level. A short hike through some housing took me to the intended eventual destination, Barrier park..

Exploring Thames Barrier Park in London

On arrival, the entry to the parkland was pretty easy to find. It is a public space thus free to enter. Climbing a few steps from the little car park at the park brought me out onto a balcony overlooking the park. The views from here were splendid. You could see the Thames barrier and the landscaping from above.

I then descended into the park to have a proper look around and enjoy seeing the centrepiece from many angles. They interestingly landscaped the park to frame the Thames Barrier’ views with greenery. Plants in the gardens included shrubs like lavender, various flower types, and hedgerows. The scent of the park is distinct and nice on the nose, thus a haven for pollinators.

Walking up and then down the designated walkways brought out many glorious views. Towards the river end of the park, there is a grass verge and slopes up to the riverside promenade.

The riverside area had benches, ideal for me to sit and watch the world go by with a unique view. There were Egyptian geese below on a shale beach on the Thames and a nobody else for company.

On the top level is a walkway overlooking the park and is a brilliant spot for photographers to capture the scenery. This is well worth walking around and exploring down in the gardens.

DLR back to Central London.

After enjoying this quiet and beautiful space in the capital, it was time to head back home. This was pretty simple compared to the adventurous options on the way. Catching the DLR from Pontoon Wharfe into Central London, then hopping on the tube home.

Review of London Day Trip to Thames Barrier Park

This adventure was a fantastic day out in London and got to see lots of the key sites and the lesser known Barrier Park. All using public transport and on foot. The views were well worth the journey. As a bonus, the park is dog friendly , so it’s a fantastic area for walkies.

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