London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour

4.0
(1 reviews)

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6 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Follow the story of London along the river that gave it life, exploring four of its most historic areas and all top landmarks with your own personal local guide.

We travel between areas in the best way possible - relaxing as we glide along the water by boat (Uber Boats by Thames Clippers day ticket included!)

Meet your guide at the iconic Battersea Power Station and set sail into the heart of London. We’ll get off to walk by the top sights of Westminster (inc. Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Horse Guards Parade and London Eye) then ride across the river to the Southbank (Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, London Bridge).

See the Tower of London, then sail under Tower Bridge on the way to Greenwich, where we see the Cutty Sark, Old Royal Naval College, Queen’s House and more. We walk uphill to end the tour at the historic Royal Observatory, home to the Prime Meridian timeline and "London's Best View"!

If you only have time for one London tour, this epic day trip covers the lot!

What's Included

6-hour boat and walking tour (with breaks)
Almost all of London's iconic landmarks (Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge & more!)
Unlimited all-day river travel on Uber Boats by Thames Clippers, worth over £25
Friendly, knowledgeable local tour guide (Private)
Food and drink (available for purchase on the boat)
Tips or gratuities for your guide (optional, but appreciated if you've enjoyed their service)
Entry to landmarks (the tour shows you the key sights from the outside and does not include tickets)

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We meet directly outside the entrance/exit of Battersea Power Station Underground Station. There is a large London Underground sign on the front wall of the station - your guide will meet you next to the sign. Please plan your journey and aim to arrive 15 minutes early.

End point
Royal Observatory Greenwich

We end at the observatory in lovely Greenwich Park. Nearby you'll find great places to eat, drink, relax of visit free royal museums. Your boat pass is valid for the whole day (until approx 11pm), so you can travel back to central London when you're ready.

Itinerary

Duration: 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Battersea Power Station

    After meeting your guide and fellow travellers, take a stroll around and through the huge Battersea Power Station - a true London icon! Once a coal-burning plant providing 20% of all the capital’s power, it has been lovingly preserved with its giant chimneys still in place, but has been converted into one of London’s most impressive shopping and entertainment venues.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Thames River

    Now it’s time for your first journey along the river, taking you right into the heart of London. Sit back in comfort and watch the city pass by, and soon the familiar sights of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye will come into view!

    20 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3
    Big Ben

    Pass under Westminster Bridge before jumping off the boat right next to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, just across the river from the iconic London Eye.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Parliament Square

    We'll visit the statues of Parliament Square, including Churchill, Gandhi, Mandela and Abraham Lincoln.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Westminster Abbey

    We walk over to the incredible Westminster Abbey - religious centre of Britain dating back over 1000 years!

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

    Walk along Whitehall to see 10 Downing Street (home of the Prime Minister) and war memorials, including the Cenotaph and Women of World War Two. We'll see the King's Life Guard at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade before walking through the famous parade ground.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 7
    St. James's Park

    Take a quick stroll through charming St. James's Park to The Mall - the famous road that links Buckingham Palace to the grand Admiralty Arch.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Admiralty Arch

    Stop for a photo at the grand Admiralty Arch, commissioned by King Edward IIV to link The Mall to Trafalgar Square

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 9
    Trafalgar Square

    Next, we'll walk through Trafalgar Square - Britain's most famous public space adorned with fountains, statues including Nelson's Column, and the incredible National Gallery.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 10
    Victoria Embankment Gardens

    We'll walk back to the river via The Strand and Victoria Embankment Gardens, before boarding our next boat across the river to the Southbank.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Thames River

    On this short journey along the river, we pass under Waterloo, Blackfriars and Millennium Bridge (which you might recognise from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!).

    10 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 12
    Bankside

    We get off the boat right next to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the amazing Tate Modern, with great views across to St. Paul's Cathedral! Enjoy a walk along this vibrant stretch of the Thames, passing under Southwark Bridge with The Shard tower as a constant backdrop.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 13
    Borough Market

    Our route passes through London's most famous and lively food market - Borough Market - filled with local traders and delicious treats. We'll also see the Clink Prison, Southwark Cathedral and The Golden Hinde - a full-scale replica of the first English ship to go around the world in 1577 and 1580.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 14
    London Bridge

    We walk over London Bridge, pausing to enjoy the amazing view of Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast, before beginning our route through The City of London. This ancient part of the city has been the UK's financial heart for centuries and its rivalry with Westminster is legendary.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 15
    The Monument to the Great Fire of London

    The historic City of London area was the epicentre for the Great Fire of London in 1666 - we'll visit the impressive monument built to mark the event.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 16
    London Wall

    We'll pass through London's most unique secret park on our way to one of the last remaining sections of original Roman wall.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 17
    Tower of London

    Your guide will tell you some of the Tower of London's most fascinating stories as we walk around its 900-year-old walls.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 18
    Tower Bridge

    Stop for pictures of Tower Bridge from the river bank - and then we'll board our next boat which will sail directly under the bridge!

    10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 19
    Thames River

    Our final boat ride takes us right underneath Tower Bridge - get your camera ready! Afterwards, relax and watch the world go by as we glide along the river to Greenwich. The boat takes around 25mins and there's a bar onboard, so this is a great chance to rest and refresh.

    25 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 20
    Cutty Sark

    Welcome to Greenwich! This charming old London borough is one of our favourite parts of the city - filled with rich history and grand architecture, but with a village-like feel that contrasts with the buzz of central London. Getting off the boat, see the incredible Cutty Sark that was once the world's fastest ship.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 21
    Old Royal Naval College

    Explore the stately buildings of the Old Royal Naval College from where Britain once directed their domination of the seas. Other great sights include the Royal Maritime Museum and bustling Greenwich Market.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 22
    Queen's House

    We'll pass the beautiful Queen's House - completed in the 1630s for Queen Mary II - before walking through stunning Greenwich Park and up to the Royal Observatory.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 23
    Royal Observatory Greenwich

    We'll walk uphill through Greenwich Park to the beautiful old observatory. This is the birthplace of British Astronomy and home to the Prime Meridian line, from where all the world's timelines are measured! This is a fitting place to end, with a view that stretches our over the city's skyline - locals have dubbed it "London's best view". *After your tour, we highly recommend spending a little time in Greenwich. Relax in the park, grab a drink in one of the classic local pubs, and enjoy some great food at Greenwich Market or one of many fine restaurants. National Maritime Museum and Queen's House are also free to visit (open until 5pm most days).

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Supplied by Great London Tours

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Day Cruises
Half-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Water Tours
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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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