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LondonNet's
Riverside Guide
The River Thames is London's
venerable spine. This section is dedicated to our capital's watery
thoroughfare with great ideas for enjoying yourself on and by
the river.
LondonNet
Book Review:
Walking London's Docks, Rivers
& Canals
Author
Gilly Cameron-Cooper winds her way around London's docks, incorporating
history alongside some smashing views...(more)
Introduction
Mucking
About on the River
The weather gods have finally
realised it says 'summer' on the calendar, so it's off to the
seaside, yes? No, if you haven't got time to spend ten hours
stuck in the coast-bound traffic. But if you are nevertheless
desperate to be in the company of water, there's always Old Father
Thames, a next best thing that is often better than the first.
Whole happy days can be spent
in the likes of Greenwich, Richmond or the South Bank but if
you really want to immerse yourself in London's aqua-glory, I
would suggest an expedition planned with military precision that
takes in some of the best bits of the Thames.
The first tip is to get up
early, before the morning hunger pangs set in, and make for St
Catherine's Dock (nearest Tube: Tower Hill) where various quayside
café's serve fresh coffee and croissants. The Tower of
London and Tower Bridge are close by for those who fancy some
historical input. You could walk the next bit, but I suggest
saving your energy and taking the Tube from Tower Hill to Blackfriars.
Over to the southern side of
Blackfriars Bridge. A quick diversion eastwards leads to the
hugely popular Tate Modern gallery, while to the west, and back
on our route, there's the approach to the South Bank and a cute
little gardens/craft shops/ café area known as Gabriel's
Wharf. Take lunch in one of its establishments or, for stunning
river views at a price, try the Oxo Tower nearby.
A short walk further west and
you meet the main South Bank attractions such as the arts centre
itself, the London Eye and London Aquarium. It probably won't
be sunset yet, but Waterloo Bridge is still a beautiful sight,
though my advice is not to traverse it, but use instead the pedestrian
Hungerford Bridge which takes you to Embankment Tube station.
From there it's a hop and a skip via two tube lines to Pimlico
station, which is just around the corner from the Tate Britain
gallery.
From Pimlico station, it's
about a 20 minute walk along the north bank, a road called Grosvenor
Road, to Chelsea Bridge, which lies at one end of one of London's
best riverside venues, Battersea Park, featuring a boating lake,
small zoo and Buddhist pagoda plus acres of prime lying-down
space. Close to the south side of the park, after a walk of some
ten minutes, you will find Queenstown Road Battersea overground
station, from which it is only a few stops to Putney Station.
Your final walk is all down
hill, an evening stroll down Putney High Street. Stop off for
pre-dinner drinks at any number of pubs and bars if you've worked
up a thirst. At the bottom of the road, wouldn't you know it,
there's the river again. Better still, there's one of London's
best newer restaurants, called simply Putney Bridge, that has
lovely, relaxing views over the Thames and lovely, exciting food
to boot. As with the Oxo Tower, pre-booking is essential.
Hampton Court Palace
For centuries Hampton Court Palace was home
to some of Britain's most famous kings and queens, many of whom
have left their mark on both the stunning exterior and the opulent
interior. Set in fairytale grounds running alongside the River
Thames, the Palace offers guided tours inside and out. Once visitors
have navigated their way through the Royal chambers, the world
famous maze lies in wait within the stunning Palace grounds.
Tickets,
More Info
The Tower Of London
Standing guard over the River Thames, its 20 mighty towers and
giant stone walls project an image of power that once chilled
the hardest of hearts. Once inside you experience nearly a thousand
years of history and hear the myths and legends that make it
'a day out to die for'. Home to the Crown Jewels and the Yeoman
Warders (better known as 'Beefeaters'), The Tower of London gives
a feel for the horrors and history of medieval life.
Tickets,
More
Info
Bateaux
London Restaurant Cruises
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Bateaux London
Embankment Pier
Victoria Embankment
London WC2N 6NU |
LUNCH CRUISE - Conveniently located at Embankment
Pier, the lunch cruise offers the perfect escape from the hustle
and bustle of London Life. The carefully considered, modestly
priced set menu is ideal for both business lunches or those wishing
to relax with friends and family.
DINNER CRUISE - By night, visitors can enjoy the excitement
of the flood lit River Thames. Specialising in modern European
cuisine, the a la carte menu available on the Dinner Cruise.
Classic dishes include Grilled Goats Cheese & Roast Pepper
Bruschetta, Roast Breast of Barbary Duck with a Cassis sauce
and Bailey's Craquant. To complement this truly magical experience,
guests can enjoy live entertainment and literally dance beneath
the stars.
Bateaux
London Restaurant Cruises - Click here for tickets
Jazz Cruise
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Bateaux London
Embankment Pier
Victoria Embankment
London WC2N 6NU |
Sunday's provide the perfect opportunity to relax and indulge.
Cruising with Bateaux London not only satisfies these desires,
but enables visitors to soak up the buzzing atmosphere of the
River Thames. The two hour Sunday Lunch Jazz Cruise offers an
a la carte menu, live Jazz and spectacular views. Encompassing
the timelessly majestic Houses of Parliament, the elegant dome
of St Paul's Cathedral, the delicate London Eye and perhaps London's
most precious antique The Tower of London, visitors can re-discover
the fascination and excitement of the Thames.
Bateaux
London Restaurant Cruises - Click here for tickets
Catamaran Circular Cruises
on the Thames
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Bateaux London
Embankment Pier
Victoria Embankment
London WC2N 6NU |
The daily cruises offer a professional multi-lingual commentary
in 8 different languages (English, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Portuguese, and Spanish) via the latest in headset technology.
Describing the key London sights, the tour encompasses the London
Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral
and the Tower of London.
This 50-minute round trip departs from Embankment Pier every
hour with the first departing at 1015 with the final tour at
2230 (depending on demand). Alternatively, the first boat departs
from Waterloo Pier at 1045 with trips departing each hour with
the last at 1545.
National Maritime Museum
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National Maritime Museum
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NF
Tel: 020 8312 6565 |
The modern National Maritime Museum features exhibits about the
future of the sea, exploration, passenger liners and trade. Special
exhibitions: ‘South – race to the Pole’; ‘Views
from the Edge’ and ‘Nelson’. See the Royal Observatory’s
Meridian Line, Time Ball and Harrison clocks from this beautiful
Wren building that gives fine views over London and Docklands.
Inside the Queen’s House art gallery is the impressive ‘Sea
of Faces’
portrait exhibition.
Open daily 1000-1800 (summer), 1000-1700 (winter). Children &
Seniors free.
Information 020 8312 6565.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk
The London Dungeon
Dare you run the ‘Gauntlet of Flames?’ Journey back
to 1666 as you relive the ‘Great Fire of London in this
heart stopping challenge! The most
thrilling visit in London also includes a Torture Chamber, Jack
The Ripper Experience, including a 15minute tour through Victorian
Whitechapel and Judgement Day…featuring a boat ride to Traitors
Gate to face your doom…! But watch out for the Dungeon’s
gruesome actors! Don’t miss out on Deadly Dungeon events
running throughout 2001!
For more information call 020 7403 7221
Opening from 10.00am. Late night opening from 15th July –
3rd September 2001, last admission 8pm.
Tickets,
More
Info
Cutty Sark
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Cutty Sark
King William Walk
Greenwich
London
SE10 9HT
Tel: 020 8781 9500 |
Cutty Sark was built in 1869 to be the fastest tea clipper in
the annual race to bring the first of the season’s crop
of tea home to Britain. On the Main Deck you can see the crew
and officers’ accommodation; the ‘Tween Deck houses
displays about her history, trade and life on board and the Lower
Hold has a colourful collection of figureheads. Group discounts
and free guided tours available subject to availability.
http://www.cuttysark.org.uk
HMS Belfast
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HMS Belfast
Morgan's Lane
Tooley Street
London SE1 2JH
Tel: 020 7940 6300 |
HMS Belfast is a cruiser first launched in March 1938. She served
throughout the Second World War before supporting United Nations
forces in Korea, and remained in service with the Royal Navy
until 1965. A tour round this huge and historic reminder of Britain’s
naval heritage will take you from her Quarterdeck up to the top
of her Bridge and all the way down through nine decks to her
massive Boiler and Engine rooms.
Open daily 10:00-18:00 (Summer) 10:00-17:00 (Winter)
Adults 5.40 UKP
Students 4.00UKP
Children & Seniors free
Information 020 7940 6300
http://www.iwm.org.uk/belfast/index.htm
The Tower Bridge Experience
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Tower Bridge
London Bridge
Fenchurch Street
Tel: 020 7403 3761 |
Inside the towers and engine rooms of the bridge, characters
from Tower Bridge’s history lead visitors through an animated
audio-visual presentation the spans over a hundred years. Let
bridge designer Sir Horace Jones and his trusty builder Harry
Stoner be your guide as computers, steam engines and working
models of the bridge bring the past to life. The views of London
from the towers are spectacular.
Open daily 10:00-18:30 (Summer)
9:30-18:00 (Winter)
Adults 6.25 UKP
Students 4.25UKP
Children under 5 go free
Information 020 7403 3761
http://www.towerbridge.org.uk
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