A Skipper’s Guide to Exploring London From the Thames

If you’re one of the 20 million visiting London this year, or a local wanting to get to know your city, one of the capital’s gems might just be hiding in plain sight - the River Thames!

Exploring London from the Thames takes you away from the crowds and gives you the chance to see the city’s world-famous landmarks from the waterway that runs through the heart of it all. 

As a team of skippers and guides running London’s fastest boat tours, we know a thing or two about exploring the capital by boat. So all aboard and read on, to learn why taking to the waters is an unmissable way to explore the Big Smoke!

Why do We Love the River Thames?

First up, here’s why no trip to London is complete without taking a speedboat on the River Thames. Before we even get to landmarks, the river itself is steeped in history, a little of which we’ll discover on the way.

Stretching 215 miles long, the River Thames is the longest river entirely in England, second in the UK only to the River Severn, which marks the border between England and Wales.

If you’re a nature lover, you might be curious to hear that, even after being declared nearly “biologically dead” in the 1950s, wildlife has since returned to the Thames. Lucky visitors might even spot seals basking around Canary Wharf, with another 444 porpoises and dolphins sighted in pods close to Kew Gardens and Deptford.

Ready to explore the Thames? Hop on one of our speedboats to see the sights of London, full speed ahead. Take in the sights or speed ahead as far as the mighty Thames Barrier. Book your ticket on our speedboats here.

What London Landmarks Can You See From the River Thames?

Now it’s time to look up. You’re speeding through London on the Thames, but what can you see? Let us take you on a virtual tour past the top five London landmarks we’ll pass on our way…

1. Tower Bridge

Nothing will convince you that a Thames tour is worth it more than cruising underneath London’s majestic Tower Bridge. A jaw-dropping feat of engineering, the bridge took eight years to build in 1894, with famous bascules lifting for ships passing by.

What you might not know is that Tower Bridge was originally the colour of ‘bright chocolate’, said to be Queen Victoria’s favourite colour - who maybe had a sweet tooth! It was only painted the battleship grey it is today as camouflage ahead of the Second World War.

Once under Tower Bridge, our Thames River speedboats really hit the accelerator. You’ll hear and feel our 880 horsepower engines rev up as you shoot along to speeds of up to 30 knots (35mph!)

2. Houses of Parliament

No London trip could be complete without cruising past the famous Gothic Houses of Parliament from the river. From a boat, you’ll get the best views of Big Ben, London’s landmark clock, whose bell sounds every hour on the hour, with smaller bells to chime the quarter hours. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to hear it on your tour!

The Houses of Parliament themselves have a rich history, not least linked to the UK’s national day, Guy Fawkes Night. On November 5th 1605, Guy Fawkes was part of a foiled Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, giving us Brits an excuse to light fireworks ever since.

3. The London Eye

The London Eye is one of London’s newest landmarks, and where our boat tours begin. Opening in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium, The London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered Ferris wheel.

Originally planned as a temporary fixture, the London Eye’s continued popularity means it’s still here today, carrying 800 people at a time in a wheel that never stops. It’s well worth grabbing a ticket yourself once you head to shore.

The London Eye is the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world, and the pier below is the starting point for our Thames speedboat experiences - hop on board!

4. The Tower of London

The next unmissable stop on our virtual journey is the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels and brutal tales of historical drama and a few daring escapes!

A brutal English prison throughout history, the Tower became home to anyone who threatened the Royals of the time, boasting Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Queen Elizabeth I among its prisoners.

From your vantage point on the River Thames, now just consider that, alongside imprisoning his wives in the Tower, Henry VIII also used it to house a real polar bear. This 16th-century pet would be allowed to swim in the Thames near the Tower, attached to a rope for safety!

5. St Paul's Cathedral

Last on our virtual tour, we’ll make a stop at St Paul’s Cathedral. With the second-largest dome in the world, this iconic cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and opened in 1697.

With its whispering gallery and burial chambers for national figures from Winston Churchill to Florence Nightingale, you may not know that St Paul’s Cathedral has shaped the wider London skyline.

London planners have enforced eight protected views of St Paul’s across the city landscape since the 1930s, limiting the skyscrapers you’ll find in cities like New York, with only a few notable exceptions, such as for The Shard.

When is the Best Time to Explore London From the Thames?

You can catch a London boat tour all through the year, but remember to prepare for the English weather and wrap up well outside of summer!

While most London boat tours run throughout the day, you might also decide to go again to experience the Thames at night. For example, we run Thames Lates with a complimentary cocktail or soft drink.

At night, London bridges transform as part of the ‘Illuminated River’, the world’s longest public art project. You’ll get to cruise under the bridges and have the best view of over 4,000 LED fittings casting colourful lights over the river.

Lastly, if you’re on a budget, it’s worth keeping in mind that you can save by visiting the Thames on off-peak days. For example, you can take our Ultimate Savers Adventure for less when you tour with us from Sunday to Wednesday.

Nine London bridges are host to the ‘Illuminated River’, the largest public art project in the world. Admire them up close on our Thames Lates cruises as the sun goes down.

What is the Best Way to Explore the Thames?

While there are lots of options from hop-on-hop-off services to afternoon tea cruises, we’d say you haven’t explored the Thames until you’ve felt the wind in your hair in our jet-propelled, eco-friendly speedboats.

At Thames Rockets, our London speedboats are the UK's No.1 Outdoor Tourist Attraction, World's No.8 according to TripAdvisor.

With a commitment to sustainability, we’ve launched our 26-seat Rocket Rebel, the UK’s first electric sightseeing jetboat on the Thames. Come take it out for a spin with us on your next London adventure!

Ready to Ride?

We hope this guide has got you strapping on your life jacket and ready to join in on London’s river scene. In a whistle-stop tour, we’ve given you the highlights of exploring London from the Thames, but nothing beats the adventure itself.

When you’re ready for an unforgettable speedboat ride, our Ultimate London Adventure is a must-try for visitors and Londoners alike. Expect to blast along the Thames with music and laughs at an amazing 35mph, whether it’s in our classic RIBs or brand-new Rocket Rebel.

Find out more about our Ultimate London Adventure and book your tickets here.