Our Route
Greenwich Observatory
A centre of world time and space, the observatory stands right at the top of Greenwich park, next to Flamstead House, beyong the beautiful Naval College which looks out onto the river.
Greenwich University
The most famous university in the southeast of England where education is about breadth as well as depth. It’s roots chase back as far as 1890.
London Eye
440 foot to top, with 32 capsules travelling at 2.5 miles per hour. This is an Anglo German Dutch, Czeck Italian engineering triumph!
Somerset House
Somerset House takes its name from the London home of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who commissioned a riverside mansion on the site in 1547.
When he fell from grace in 1551 (being executed for treason the following year), the building passed to the Crown and was used by Princess Elizabeth for some years before she was crowned Queen Elizabeth I in 1558.
Oxo Tower
At the turn of the century a power station was built on this site to supply electricity to the Post Office. In the late 1920s the site was purchased by the Liebig Extract of Meat Company.
Its architect, Albert W Moore, proposed to spell out the name in electric lights on a tower but was refused permission. He came back with OXO incorporated as windows in 'an elemental geometric form' on all four sides of the tower.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is housed in the former Bankside Power Station, which was built between 1947 and 1963. The building was converted by architects Herzog & de Meuron, opening as the Tate Modern on 12 May 2000.
The collection includes major works by Matisse, Picasso and Rothko as well as contemporary work by artists such as Richard Deacon, Emma Kay, Mariko Mori and Gerhard Richter.
St Paul's Cathedral
365 feet to top, and completed in 35 years, the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren who along with Wellington and Nelson are buried in the Crypt.
Millennium Bridge
On 9 May, the Millennium Bridge, was inaugurated with a special ceremony of dedication by HM The Queen. The Bridge was designed jointly by Arup, Foster and Partners and leading British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro.
It was the first pedestrian river crossing over the Thames in central London for more than a century. It links the City of London at St. Paul's with the Tate Modern Gallery at Bankside.
Golden Hind
The Golden Hind is best known for its global circumnavigation between 1577 and 1580, under Captain Francis Drake.
The Golden Hind was originally known as the Pelican and was renamed in mid-voyage (1577) by Drake as he prepared to enter the Straits of Magellan.
London Bridge
The current version of London Bridge was designed by engineer John Rennie and completed by his son (of the same name) over a seven-year period from 1824 to 1831.
The Bridge was constructed from Dartmoor granite, with a length of 928 feet and a width of 49 feet. It was widened in 1902-1904 in an attempt to combat London's chronic traffic congestion.
Monument
The Monument was constructed between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London.
At the time it was the tallest freestanding stone column in the world. If it is laid out lengthways then the flame would reach Pudding Lane where the great fire started.
The Customs House
The first stone of the new Customs House was laid on the 25th of Oct 18l3, however the building was not opened for public business until the 12th of May, 1817.
The south face of the building (towards the Thames), together with those towards the east and west, are faced with Portland stone; while the north face of the building built chiefly of brick.
HMS Belfast
Floating Museum since 1971. Guns can fire up to 14 miles. Saw action in North Atlantic Campaign in 1942. 11,500 tons in weight.
Top speed of about 33 knots; compare this to the speed of the RIB.
GLA Building
Where our Mayor, Ken Livingston conducts business with 26 elected members of the Greater London Assembly.
Tower of London
1000 years of history, with the Crown Jewels kept there. There are 8 Ravens named after mythological Welsh and Norwegian Gods.
Yeoman Warders date back to the time when they were the personal bodyguard to King Henry 8th.
Tower Bridge
Opened 1894 by Prince of Wales, the future Edward 7th. Opens on average 4 times week.
Wapping Police Station
Oldest part of the Metropolitan Police dating from 1797.
Thames Barrier
The Thames Barrier has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. It is certainly a very impressive work of engineering.
High water level at London Bridge has risen about two and a half feet per century, due to the melting of the polar ice caps and the activities of Man.
O2 Arena
The money pit that was the Millennium Dome now made both successful and profitable as a music performance venue. It also forced the Eastenders' map to be updated...
Shakespeares Globe
Opened in 1997 as a result of American actor Sam Wannamaker's passion for British theatre. The only thatched building in London (asking for trouble, as the original thatch caught fire and the whole building burned to the ground!)
Old Billingsgate Fish Market
New Billingsgate is near Canary Wharf and not nearly so beautiful as the old building. Fish tell us the wind direction from this building as they dive from the roof!
HMS President
Originally named after a plant, the name was changed to cope with Presidents' changing uses. Some people work hard - the offices with are home to a few companies, some people play hard - party party party on the top deck!
MI6
Only officially recognised as the home of the Foreign Security Services in the year 2000, Bond's office is quite a sight along the river (careful not to get spotted by all the security cameras)
The Gherkin
The nickname for the second tallest building in the City of London, situated at 30 St Mary Axe
Big Ben
The 13.5 ton bell which, on a clear day, can be heard throughout the City. One of the most famous landmarks in London, if not the world!
Cleopatras Needle
180 Tons of solid granite which was nearly destroyed by a flying bomb during the First World War. Luckily, it's still here and we can talk until the cows come home about it!
Houses of Parliament
Houses up to 658 MPs. Parts of building are over 900 years old. There are 2 Chambers. Big Ben has a 13.5 ton bell within.
Come sightseeing around London with us on our Thames rib experience and enjoy a unique perspective on all of the popular London landmarks.
This really is the only way to do your sightseeing on the Thames; voted one of the top five things to do in London, a unique & exciting capital city tour. More exhilarating, fast & fun than traditional river cruises with friendly, knowledgeable and experienced crew.
Click on the famous landmarks to read more about them.
Our famous Canary Wharf Thames River Cruise lasts approximately 50 minutes, taking in sites from House of Parliament down past St Paul's & through Tower bridge. No other boat experience allows you to cover so much of the Thames in such a short period of time. We also offer a breathtaking Thames Barrier Tour Explorers Voyage, we were the first to take you through the world’s largest movable flood barrier.
