With out the Thames, there can be no London. It has been referred to as โliquid historical pastโ, the โcoronary heart of Londonโ and there was an official settlement on the banks of the river for not less than two thousand years โ so itโs not stunning youโll discover a string of issues to do on the Thames in London.
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And whether or not you go to London with children or with out, I donโt suppose youโve really explored the capital except youโve completed one thing alongside its banks. Fortuitously, thatโs not onerous: the river is residence to a few of Londonโs greatest points of interest, museums, historic buildings, walks and actions.
Listed here are my prime 23 issues to do on the Thames, London โ all these River Thames points of interest both proper on the banks or inside just some minutes of the river.ย
Take a ship journey on the Thames
One of the best ways to expertise the river is on the water itself. A number of corporations run common boat providers alongside the Thames together with the river bus Uber Boat by Thames Clippersย orย Thames River Boats which take you additional west in the direction of Hampton, in addition to a hop on hop off cruise with Metropolis Cruises.
Orย swap cruising for rushing with rib boats, together with Thames Rockets and Thames RIB Expertise . Itโs simple to mix the journeys with among the sights beneath too.
The Horrible Thames boat tour, from the folks behind Horrible Histories is one other actually enjoyable choice in the event youโre visiting London with children.
Stroll the river
Your complete Thames path is round 184 miles lengthy in the event you fancy the journey from the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier โ the part by way of London alone stretches 40 miles, so except youโre a devoted walker, choose a piece and a financial institution.
The Thames Path web site has some useful ideas damaged down into 8-12 mile sections to see among the highlights alongside the best way, together with simple stretches in the event youโre exploring with youthful children.
You can even take self-guided Thames river excursions or strive my brief wander for among the greatest Instagram spots on the South Financial institution
For 50+ different free issues to do in London with children, take a look at my prime picks
Discover the South Financial institution
In the event youโre undecided the place to start out, the South Financial institution is likely one of the greatest sections to wander as thereโs all the time one thing happening, no matter time of yr you go to.
The Southbank Centre is on the coronary heart of lots of the occasions and actions which occur on the South Financial institution, proper all the way down to the road artwork painted on the surface.
However enterprise inside and there are some unbelievable artwork exhibitions to find in the event youโre visiting London with teenagers, together with interactive installations and artwork on the Hayward Gallery.
In the event youโre visiting the Southbank Centre with youthful children, you could find 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 nicely, 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 children, take a look at my suggestions
Dig by way of historical past
Flip the clock again a century or so and folks made a dwelling from mudlarking (nicely, nearly). In the present day, itโs an opportunity to discover the townโs historical past โ you by no means know what you would possibly flip up. In all probability not gold sadly.
Thames Explorer additionally runs foreshore walks โ you mayโt merely head down with out a information and begin amassing. Fairly aside from staying secure, you want a license โ there are some helpful suggestions right here โ so an organised expertise is greatest.
Benefit from the view
Donโt miss seeing the Thames from above โ itโll be seen from any of the townโs excessive viewpoints however the London Eye is likely one of the greatest, sitting proper above the river.
Good for the realisation that the riverโs bends imply the townโs geography is laid out just a little in another way than you would possibly anticipate. Thereโs a reduction in the event you purchase on-line prematurely and you can too 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 โ Up on the O2ย takes you 52m above the bottom, and 2m above the floor of the O2 itself, throughout a 90-minute climb.
It’s important 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 youโre assured a number of good views as you cross. Tower Bridge is well essentially the most well-known and you’ll head inside to find its historical past and look by way of the well-known glass ground โ purchase tickets to the Tower Bridge exhibition right here.
And in the event youโd like an opportunity of seeing the spectacular opening as a much bigger boat comes by way of, examine the raise instances.
However there are many different good spots: Blackfriars Bridge is one among my favourites,ย 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 Paulโs.
Or head west to take a look at Albert Bridge after darkish when itโs lit up by 4,000 bulbs โ look down the river from Chelsea Bridge.
Planning to go to London Bridge? Right hereโs why you shouldnโtโฆ plus a number of causes you must hold it in your itinerary
Or fly over the river
Leap within the cable automotive and fly over the river, taking you between the royal docks and Greenwich peninsula in round 10 minutes โ 5 minutes throughout morning rush hour, and 12-13 minutes for the night time flights after 7pm.
You possibly can pay utilizing an Oyster card or contactless, though this isnโt included within the each day fare cap, or just purchase tickets on the day. Youngsters aged 5-15 do additionally have to pay, with 50% off adults fares.
Uncover Greenwich
One among my favorite elements of London, itโs simple to spend a day (or longer) exploring Greenwich with children, together with the Royal Observatory, Previous Royal Naval School 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 would hop on the tube nevertheless itโs onerous to beat a ship journey alongside the Thames to get there โ 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 โ appropriated by Henry VIII from Cardinal Wolsey โ 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 instances since โ one among my favorite household days out. Try one among our newest visits to Hampton Courtroom with children.
You can even 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 vital โ kings and queens would arrive in state to be performed to the royal flatsโฆ aside from a number of who entered by Traitorโs Gate, numbered among the many prisoners who usually by no means set foot exterior once more.
From theย Norman White Tower to the medieval additions, crown jewels, beefeaters and ravens, plus centuries of historical past, the Tower of London is one among my favorite London sights. Click on right here to purchase tickets.
You can even see the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys โ take a look at my expertise of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with children.
Stroll round St Katherineโs Dock
Wander just a little additional alongside the Thames and close by St Katherineโs Dock has been turned from a industrial dock right into a marina, with retailers and eating places.
On a sunny day, itโs a reasonably place to wander previous yachts, away from among the bustle across the tower.
Board a battleship
HMS Belfastย was as soon as a Royal Navy gentle cruiser, now a museum ship completely moored on the Thames โ an important choice for teenagers to find its historical past, with particular actions throughout faculty holidays.
Operated by the Imperial Struggle Museum, you may uncover what life would have been like on board for the crew in the course of the Second World Struggle 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 be sure of recognizing marine life, head to the Sea Life London Aquarium close to the London Eye.
One of many greatest 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 recurrently particular occasions throughout faculty holidays, and you’ll be part of behind-the-scenes excursions. It will probably get busy at peak instances and on wet days, so itโs nicely price pre-booking and there are reductions in the event you purchase on-line prematurely.
Right hereโs what we considered a go to to Sea Life London aquarium with children
Meet Shrek
Shrek followers will love the possibility to stroll by way of the world of Far Far Away, assembly among the well-known characters together with Princess Fiona and Donkey, in addition to Shrek himself.
Thereโs a problem to gather substances to be able to discover Shrek and make it residence safely, with 10 themed dwell exhibits and a 4D flying bus to finish Shrekโs Journey. Higher for main faculty aged children whoโll recognize the enjoyable than for toddlers and preschoolers.
Preserve a watch out too for particular occasions yr spherical, together with particular company like Puss in Boots and a Shrek Santa at Christmas.
You can even get mixed tickets to different Merlin points of interest, 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 children, 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 quicker.
One among a string of areas across the UK, like the oppositeย Dungeons, every location has areas themed to go well with its personal historical past too. Theย London Dungeon, for instance, brings you head to head with the Nice Hearth and Sweeney Todd.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with on-line reductions in the event you purchase your tickets prematurely: greatest for teenagers and braver tweens.ย You can even purchaseย mixture ticketsย to different Merlin points of interest.
Go to a museum
Even in the event you restrict your self to river-front museums, thereโs fairly a alternative for artwork lovers particularly among the many issues to do on the Thames,
Tate Trendyย has recurrently altering exhibitions together with the immense Turbine corridor, whereas Tate Britain has a group of British artwork from 1500 onwards โ 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,ย 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 Kewย are just a little means from the river, the Thames truly wraps itself across the large web site so itโs simple to get from the water to the vegetation.
Donโt miss the great Youngstersโs Backyard, because the play space is known as, however thereโs all the time one thing new to find โ Iโve been visiting for over a decade and by no means get bored.
Try my suggestions for exploring Kew Gardens with children
There are always altering exhibitions and themed shows so thereโs all the time one thing new to seek out โ weโve discovered every part fromย Shaun the Sheep at Kewย and the Beano to shows on poisonsย and spicesย on our visits. E-book tickets prematurely, together with entry to the Youngstersโs Backyard.
See a Buddhist stupa
The 200 acres of Battersea Park have every part from a kidsโs zooย to a Go Ape courseย in addition to the Peace Pagoda proper on the riverfront, one among many world wide constructed as shrines to world peace.
Expertise a Tudor theatre
The well-known thatched reproduction of an authentic Elizabethan theatre, The Globeย is likely one of the greatest locations to look at Shakespeare, standing underneath the open skies as theatregoers would as soon as have completed.
You possibly can see the theatre from the surface whereas standing tickets price as little as ยฃ5 to see a efficiency. You can even take excursions of the Globe, together with an choice to improve with afternoon tea.
See a bishopโs palace
Fulham Palace has been the historic residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and itโs free to enter and discover, plus info on the locationโs very earliest inhabitants relationship againย round 5,000 years.
Subsequent door Bishopโs Park runs proper all the way down to the riverfront with an city seashore, decorative lake and sculpture backyard.
Hear Londonโs well-known bell
One of many iconic symbols of London, the Elizabeth Tower โ containing Large Ben, because the Nice Bell is understood โ 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 undertaking with tower excursions operating too โ prebooking important and tickets get snapped up very quick. Appropriate for age 8+. You possibly can nonetheless guide excursions of Parliament as nicely.
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 โ thereโs 10% off utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS in the event you guide by way of my hyperlink.
And the Treasure Path assortment has a string of choices all through London, with fairly a number of heading alongside the riverside for one of many extra uncommon issues to do on the Thames with children.
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 fairly fairly part referred to as Strand on the Inexperienced at Chiswick.
*First revealed 2016, up to date 2025*
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Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Westminster/Blackfriars Bridge pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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