With out the Thames, there could be no London. It has been referred to as ‘liquid historical past’, the ‘coronary heart of London’ and there was an official settlement on the banks of the river for not less than two thousand years – so it’s not stunning you’ll discover a string of issues to do on the Thames in London.
comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
And whether or not you go to London with youngsters or with out, I don’t assume you’ve really explored the capital except you’ve executed one thing alongside its banks. Luckily, that’s not laborious: the river is residence to a few of London’s largest sights, museums, historic buildings, walks and actions.
Listed below are my prime 23 issues to do on the Thames, London – all these River Thames sights both proper on the banks or inside only a few minutes of the river.
Take a ship journey on the Thames
The easiest way to expertise the river is on the water itself. A number of firms run common boat providers alongside the Thames together with the river bus Uber Boat by Thames Clippers or Thames River Boats which take you additional west in direction of Hampton, in addition to a hop on hop off cruise with Metropolis Cruises.
Or swap cruising for rushing with rib boats, together with Thames Rockets and Thames RIB Expertise . It’s simple to mix the journeys with a few of the sights beneath too.
The Horrible Thames boat tour, from the folks behind Horrible Histories is one other actually enjoyable choice in case you’re visiting London with youngsters.
Stroll the river
The complete Thames path is round 184 miles lengthy in case you fancy the journey from the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier – the part by means of London alone stretches 40 miles, so except you’re a devoted walker, choose a piece and a financial institution.
The Thames Path web site has some useful options damaged down into 8-12 mile sections to see a few of the highlights alongside the best way, together with simple stretches in case you’re exploring with youthful youngsters.
You too can take self-guided Thames river excursions or attempt my quick wander for a few of the greatest Instagram spots on the South Financial institution
For 50+ different free issues to do in London with youngsters, try my prime picks
Discover the South Financial institution
In case you’re unsure the place to start out, the South Financial institution is among the greatest sections to wander as there’s all the time one thing happening, no matter time of 12 months you go to.
The Southbank Centre is on the coronary heart of numerous the occasions and actions which occur on the South Financial institution, proper right down to the road artwork painted on the skin.
However enterprise inside and there are some incredible artwork exhibitions to find in case you’re visiting London with teenagers, together with interactive installations and artwork on the Hayward Gallery.
In case you’re visiting the Southbank Centre with youthful youngsters, yow will discover family-friendly performances happening on the Queen Elizabeth Corridor, in addition to the annual Think about Pageant for households each February.
Preserve a watch out for occasions as effectively, from a Christmas market in winter, an city seashore in summer time, festivals, to not point out performances on the Royal Pageant Corridor, movies on the BFI, performs on the Nationwide Theatre.
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters, try my ideas
Dig by means of historical past
Flip the clock again a century or so and folks made a dwelling from mudlarking (effectively, nearly). Right this moment, it’s an opportunity to discover the town’s historical past – you by no means know what you would possibly flip up. Most likely not gold sadly.
Thames Explorer additionally runs foreshore walks – you possibly can’t merely head down with out a information and begin gathering. Fairly aside from staying secure, you want a license – there are some helpful ideas right here – so an organised expertise is greatest.
Benefit from the view
Don’t miss seeing the Thames from above – it’ll be seen from any of the town’s excessive viewpoints however the London Eye is among the greatest, sitting proper above the river.
Excellent for the realisation that the river’s bends imply the town’s geography is laid out slightly in a different way than you would possibly count on. There’s a reduction in case you purchase on-line prematurely and you may as well discover skip-the-line tickets
Get your coronary heart racing
Or for a view with a distinction, how about climbing onto the roof of the O2 – Up on the O2 takes you 52m above the bottom, and 2m above the floor of the O2 itself, throughout a 90-minute climb.
You need to be not less than 8 years previous and 1.2m tall to participate.
Cross a bridge
33 bridges cross the Thames in London, so that you’re assured just a few good views as you cross. Tower Bridge is definitely probably the most well-known and you’ll head inside to find its historical past and look by means of the well-known glass ground – purchase tickets to the Tower Bridge exhibition right here.
And in case you’d like an opportunity of seeing the spectacular opening as a much bigger boat comes by means of, verify the raise occasions.
However there are many different good spots: Blackfriars Bridge is certainly one of my favourites, particularly at sundown or after darkish as you look alongside to the lit-up Oxo Tower, whereas the Millennium Bridge (which I shall without end consider because the wobbly bridge) has nice views to St Paul’s.
Or head west to take a look at Albert Bridge after darkish when it’s lit up by 4,000 bulbs – look down the river from Chelsea Bridge.
Planning to go to London Bridge? Right here’s why you shouldn’t… plus just a few causes it’s best to preserve it in your itinerary
Or fly over the river
Soar within the cable automobile and fly over the river, taking you between the royal docks and Greenwich peninsula in round 10 minutes – 5 minutes throughout morning rush hour, and 12-13 minutes for the evening flights after 7pm.
You may pay utilizing an Oyster card or contactless, though this isn’t included within the each day fare cap, or just purchase tickets on the day. Kids aged 5-15 do additionally have to pay, with 50% off adults fares.
Uncover Greenwich
One among my favorite components of London, it’s simple to spend a day (or longer) exploring Greenwich with youngsters, together with the Royal Observatory, Outdated Royal Naval Faculty with its fabulous Painted Corridor, Planetarium, market and the great Cutty Sark.
There’s additionally the Royal Museums Greenwich day cross which incorporates entry to the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory
You could possibly hop on the tube but it surely’s laborious to beat a ship journey alongside the Thames to get there – simply as I did with my daughter for our time out on the Cutty Sark.
Hampton Courtroom
As soon as the royal inhabitants of Hampton Courtroom – appropriated by Henry VIII from Cardinal Wolsey – would have arrived by barge, and you’ll nonetheless get a ship to Hampton to find the Tudor palace, full with maze and Magic Backyard.
I visited Hampton Courtroom with a child and have been again my daughter a number of occasions since – certainly one of my favorite household days out. Take a look at certainly one of our newest visits to Hampton Courtroom with youngsters.
You too can get a mixed Historic Royal Palaces cross together with entry to Hampton Courtroom and the Tower of London.
Go to the Tower of London
One other royal palace which was accessed by water, the very gate you entered by was important – kings and queens would arrive in state to be carried out to the royal residences… aside from just a few who entered by Traitor’s Gate, numbered among the many prisoners who usually by no means set foot outdoors once more.
From the Norman White Tower to the medieval additions, crown jewels, beefeaters and ravens, plus centuries of historical past, the Tower of London is certainly one of my favorite London sights. Click on right here to purchase tickets.
You too can see the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys – try my expertise of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with youngsters.
Stroll round St Katherine’s Dock
Wander slightly additional alongside the Thames and close by St Katherine’s Dock has been turned from a business dock right into a marina, with retailers and eating places.
On a sunny day, it’s a reasonably place to wander previous yachts, away from a few of the bustle across the tower.
Board a battleship
HMS Belfast was as soon as a Royal Navy mild cruiser, now a museum ship completely moored on the Thames – an incredible choice for teenagers to find its historical past, with particular actions throughout college holidays.
Operated by the Imperial Battle Museum, you possibly can uncover what life would have been like on board for the crew in the course of the Second World Battle till 1963.
Spot fish
Whales, seals, dolphins and porpoises have all been noticed within the river because it has been cleaned up lately, however if you wish to make certain of recognizing marine life, head to the Sea Life London Aquarium close to the London Eye.
One of many largest collections in Europe, it homes over 500 species, 14 themed zones and greater than 2 million litres of water, with some uncommon creatures to find, in addition to some favourites together with penguins and clownfish.
There are additionally frequently particular occasions throughout college holidays, and you’ll be a part of behind-the-scenes excursions. It may get busy at peak occasions and on wet days, so it’s effectively price pre-booking and there are reductions in case you purchase on-line prematurely.
Right here’s what we considered a go to to Sea Life London aquarium with youngsters
Meet Shrek
Shrek followers will love the prospect to stroll by means of the world of Far Far Away, assembly a few of the well-known characters together with Princess Fiona and Donkey, in addition to Shrek himself.
There’s a problem to gather elements as a way to discover Shrek and make it residence safely, with 10 themed dwell exhibits and a 4D flying bus to finish Shrek’s Journey. Higher for main college aged youngsters who’ll recognize the enjoyable than for toddlers and preschoolers.
Preserve a watch out too for particular occasions 12 months spherical, together with particular visitors like Puss in Boots and a Shrek Santa at Christmas.
You too can get mixed tickets to different Merlin sights, together with the close by aquarium or London Eye. Tickets with free cancellation are additionally accessible from Get Your Information.
Discover a Dungeon
One for older and braver youngsters, a visit to the London Dungeon is a scarily good time out, with dwell actors whisking you thru 1,000 really alarming years of historical past, plus loads of particular results and rides to get your coronary heart racing even sooner.
One among a string of places across the UK, like the opposite Dungeons, every location has areas themed to go well with its personal historical past too. The London Dungeon, for instance, brings you nose to nose with the Nice Hearth and Sweeney Todd.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with on-line reductions in case you purchase your tickets prematurely: greatest for teenagers and braver tweens. You too can purchase mixture tickets to different Merlin sights.
Go to a museum
Even in case you restrict your self to river-front museums, there’s fairly a selection for artwork lovers specifically among the many issues to do on the Thames,
Tate Fashionable has frequently altering exhibitions together with the immense Turbine corridor, whereas Tate Britain has a set of British artwork from 1500 onwards – each are free to enter.
Much less well-known is the London Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford, close to Kew in west London, with its historic engines and a few nice actions for teenagers.
Discover a botanic backyard
Though the entrances most guests use for the botanical gardens at Kew are slightly manner from the river, the Thames truly wraps itself across the enormous web site so it’s simple to get from the water to the crops.
Don’t miss the great Kids’s Backyard, because the play space is named, however there’s all the time one thing new to find – I’ve been visiting for over a decade and by no means get bored.
Take a look at my ideas for exploring Kew Gardens with youngsters
There are continuously altering exhibitions and themed shows so there’s all the time one thing new to search out – we’ve discovered every part from Shaun the Sheep at Kew and the Beano to shows on poisons and spices on our visits. E-book tickets prematurely, together with entry to the Kids’s Backyard.
See a Buddhist stupa
The 200 acres of Battersea Park have every part from a kids’s zoo to a Go Ape course in addition to the Peace Pagoda proper on the riverfront, certainly one of many world wide constructed as shrines to world peace.
Expertise a Tudor theatre
The well-known thatched reproduction of an authentic Elizabethan theatre, The Globe is among the greatest locations to observe Shakespeare, standing underneath the open skies as theatregoers would as soon as have executed.
You may see the theatre from the skin whereas standing tickets value as little as £5 to see a efficiency. You too can take excursions of the Globe, together with an choice to improve with afternoon tea.
See a bishop’s palace
Fulham Palace has been the historic residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and it’s free to enter and discover, plus data on the positioning’s very earliest inhabitants relationship again round 5,000 years.
Subsequent door Bishop’s Park runs proper right down to the riverfront with an city seashore, decorative lake and sculpture backyard.
Hear London’s well-known bell
One of many iconic symbols of London, the Elizabeth Tower – containing Massive Ben, because the Nice Bell is understood – border the river at Westminster, together with the Palace of Westminster (aka the Homes of Parliament).
The tower has been unveiled as soon as once more after a significant refurbishment mission with tower excursions working too – prebooking important and tickets get snapped up very quick. Appropriate for age 8+. You may nonetheless ebook excursions of Parliament as effectively.
Comply with a treasure hunt
The Treasure Map Trails assortment features a enjoyable treasure hunt round Twickenham, which takes you alongside the banks of the Thames close to Eel Pie Island – there’s 10% off utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS in case you ebook by means of my hyperlink.
And the Treasure Path assortment has a string of choices all through London, with fairly just a few heading alongside the riverside for one of many extra uncommon issues to do on the Thames with youngsters.
Select from a treasure hunt in Greenwich to a homicide thriller in Bankside to a spy mission in Westminster in addition to trails for Battersea and Putney Bridges, and the quite fairly part referred to as Strand on the Inexperienced at Chiswick.
*First revealed 2016, up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO ON THE THAMES
Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Westminster/Blackfriars Bridge pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels