One in all my favorite views of London is from the river – the Thames is on the coronary heart of the town, and with so many decisions of various boat journeys in London with youngsters, it’s simple to suit at the least one into your go to.
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And in addition to the best-known sightseeing boat excursions in London, there are historic London boat journeys, self-drive choices (in addition to self-paddle) and extra adrenaline-fuelled experiences to attraction to older youngsters.
You may make a advantage of necessity and journey to Greenwich with one of many London boat excursions relatively than sitting on the tube, and even hop onto a ship between two artwork galleries for a cruise with tradition. Right here’s my decide of one of the best London boat journeys for households to strive.
Suggestions for London boat excursions with youngsters
Crusing alongside the Thames is a improbable expertise, but it surely’s price being conscious of some issues earlier than you board, particularly for the London sightseeing boat excursions.
There’s typically a cold breeze out on the river, so whereas open-top sightseeing boats give nice views, save that for sunny days – or wrap up heat.
It’s typically not the quickest strategy to journey – particularly in central London, when boats are hopping between Westminster, the London Eye and Embankment. It’s concerning the expertise relatively than the pace although.
Youthful youngsters won’t be fairly so enthralled – whereas I can fortunately watch the surroundings for hours, when my daughter was younger, she appreciated our London boat journeys so much much less, so like several journey, pack one thing to entertain littler ones.
Most of the bigger boats have extra restricted numbers, so should you’re boarding one with no timed ticket, it’s price boarding in the direction of the beginning of the route or getting there a bit early on busy days, in any other case there won’t be area on the primary boat.
For extra concepts on how to save cash on days out in London with youngsters, together with some boat excursions, take a look at my ideas
For concepts of extra issues to do on the Thames with youngsters, take a look at my decide of one of the best of London’s riverside points of interest
Metropolis Cruises hop-on hop-off boats
There’s an entire vary of various sightseeing boat excursions from Metropolis Cruises, together with ones with afternoon tea but additionally a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket, so you will get on and off the sightseeing boats at 4 totally different piers, if you would like a number of cruises.
There’s commentary on board as they sail alongside the Thames, previous landmarks together with the Homes of Parliament and the London Eye, so it’s a enjoyable, hassle-free strategy to spot a number of highlights with youngsters – if the climate’s good, you’ll be able to sit outdoors on the highest deck.
It’s also possible to decide up mixed tickets, together with for riverside points of interest such because the London Eye plus a ship tour, or the Tower of London plus cruise.
The boats run repeatedly between Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich, which every part taking round half-hour (besides the primary two stops that are simply 10 minutes aside throughout the river).
For mixed boat and bus excursions, take a look at my decide of one of the best bus excursions in London with youngsters
Horrible Thames boat tour
What do you get if you cross the creators of Horrible Histories with 2,000 years of drama alongside London’s riverbanks? The Horrible Thames cruise has grow to be a household favorite, with journeys operating on choose dates between early April and the tip of October (principally throughout faculty holidays).
After 5 years, the Horrible Thames cruise is ending for good on September 3, 2025
With tales of revolution, beheadings and pirates (and the stomach-turning motive why Queen Victoria’s pleasure cruise lasted solely minutes), you sail from Tower Bridge to Westminster and again by way of Execution Dock, whereas prizewinning school-child Billy (or Billie) and their instructor carry out and supply the commentary.
The cruise itself solely takes 45 minutes however with songs, simply the correct quantity of viewers participation, plus an important steadiness of enjoyable and info, it feels such as you get twice as a lot packed in – all together with the standard Horrible Histories recipe of gruesomely ridiculous, gory sound results, plus loads of rest room humour.
You’ll uncover some genuinely quirky info, plus it doesn’t shrink back from the tough matters, together with London’s function within the slave commerce. Departs from Tower Bridge Quay close to St Katherine’s Dock.
We had been invited alongside to overview the tour earlier than it launched – my Horrible Histories-loving daughter (and I) gave it a really agency thumbs up – take a look at the total Horrible Thames overview right here
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
For those who’re not in search of an extended cruise, aren’t fussed about commentary on board or desire a extra spontaneous choice, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is unbeatable.
Whilst you can select the identical route as most sightseeing boat excursions in London, this operates nearly the identical approach as a water bus, so it’s a enjoyable strategy to get round London.
The boats go away from 23 totally different piers alongside the Thames with common boats by means of central London, plus much less frequent routes to take you west to Putney and east past Greenwich, so far as Woolwich (Royal Arsenal).
You need to use contactless to pay (in addition to your Oyster card), or guide by way of their app, so there’s no must plan your tickets approach prematurely. It’s price realizing that it’s not included within the tfl every day fare cap although.
Or you’ll be able to decide up a one-day limitless River Roamer journey go: if there are two adults in your group, the household go implies that as much as three youngsters go free.
Thames River Sightseeing Cruise
One other traditional sightseeing London boat tour, Thames River Sightseeing additionally operates by means of central London – though stopping at a pair extra piers than Metropolis Cruises – with dwell commentary.
There are additionally audio guides in a number of different languages, and an open deck to observe the sights on sunny days, as you cruise from Westminster Pier and Tower Bridge Quay, close to St Katharine Docks, to Greenwich.
Take a look at among the greatest issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters right here
It’s also possible to decide up a two-day household go to cowl all of your boat journeys in London with youngsters, at present £49, should you’re hoping to do quite a lot of cruising alongside the river.
Turks River Cruises
The London boat excursions from Turks Launches have been cruising alongside the Thames for over 300 years, giving households an opportunity to find a unique stretch of river.
The eye-catching boats (most famously a Mississippi-style stern wheeler) run most days between Richmond, Kingston and Hampton Court docket, passing lovely Hampton Court docket Palace, Teddington Lock and the quirkily fascinating Eel Pie Island.
Children get discounted tickets whereas these aged two and below journey free, with journeys lasting between 35 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes, relying how far you select to cruise.
E book tickets to Hampton Court docket Palace, right here, to mix each for an important household time out.
Thames Rockets RIB Voyage
If you’d like one thing extra thrilling than a mild pootle alongside the river, take a look at an adrenaline-fuelled RIB speedboat expertise as an alternative.
You’ll find a collection of high-speed RIB experiences from Thames Rockets – the Final London Journey is household pleasant, with a 50-minute journey previous HMS Belfast and the Oxo Tower, from the London Eye pier, whereas Captain Kidd’s Canary Wharf Voyage is aimed particularly at households.
The brand new Rocket Insurgent boats are larger, and simply as a lot enjoyable – take a look at our overview of a Thames Rockets Rocket Insurgent boat tour.
E book right here for tickets which could be cancelled as much as 24 hours beforehand
For an extended journey, you’ll be able to select the 80-minute 30-knot thrill journey to the Thames Barrier, or a shorter 40-minute Break the Barrier choice, ranging from London Bridge Metropolis Pier and winding across the Greenwich peninsula, all accompanied by tunes from the final six a long time.
You need to be 10 years previous or above to hitch the Break the Barrier journey, due to the speeds concerned, however in any other case the boat journeys are appropriate for youths of all ages (though none are appropriate should you’re pregnant and should not swimsuit nervous little ones), particularly the Captain Kidd journey.
It’s effective to deliver luggage on board (though not bigger instances) and whereas there’s all the time the prospect of spray off the water, there are waterproofs offered so it is best to emerge good and dry, though along with your coronary heart racing!
Beforehand you additionally had another choice of ThamesJet speedboat rides, however these are not working.
Take a Canal Waterbus
For those who’re in search of extra laid-back boat journeys in London with youngsters, the Thames isn’t the town’s solely waterway, with a number of totally different canal waterbus choices cruising alongside Regent’s Canal.
The Jenny Wren canal boat tour lasts 90 minutes, cruising from Camden Lock to Little Venice and again once more, with a information stating among the highlights alongside the way in which.
Or Jason’s Journey Canal Waterbus has been working since 1951. The classic narrowboat takes you on a 45-minute journey from Camden Lock to Primrose Hill, previous Regent’s Park, London Zoo (look out for among the animals!) then on to fairly Little Venice, with its cafe-lined canals, the place you’ll be able to hop off to seek out Paddington or stroll the streets.
For those who’d desire to sail in silence, go for Jason’s Journey and putter to Little Venice with out the guided chat (solely commonplace on Jason’s Journey cruises beginning on the Little Venice finish).
Youngsters are welcome and you may take buggies or strollers on board Jason’s Journey, so long as you’ll be able to fold them, whereas under-fours go free on Jenny Wren.
For extra issues to do in Camden with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Canal Museum Tunnel boat
Uncover extra about London’s canals earlier than taking a ship journey alongside the Regent’s Canal and thru the Islington tunnel, with a particular tour from the London Canal Museum, not removed from King’s Cross station.
On the museum itself, you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the individuals who lived and labored on the waterways, the cargoes the boats carried (together with ice from Norway!), and get a peek inside a narrowboat cabin – plus some bonus historical past of the ice commerce and ice cream.
However you can too guide the Canal Museum’s Tunnel Boat tour, a 50-minute journey alongside the water, together with some extra background on the three-quarter mile tunnel… together with the truth that initially males needed to lie on the boats and push in opposition to the partitions with their legs to get by means of.
Fortunately it’s so much simpler lately! Not one for the youngest youngsters, who could be spooked by the lengthy, darkish tunnel although.
There are restricted seats on board, and it solely runs on Thursdays and Sundays, so do guide prematurely.
If all of the ice cream historical past has whetted your urge for food, take a look at Ruby Violet within the Kings Cross canal quarter, close to Granary Sq. and its fountains, with flavours starting from conventional favourites to peanut butter, ardour fruit and liquorice.
Tate Boat
London has not one however two branches of the Tate gallery, with Tate Fashionable and Tate Britain each on the riverside – and should you fancy a time out which mixes each, you’ll be able to hop between the 2 utilizing the Tate Boat.
Operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (scroll up for extra), it’s truly a part of the RB1 or RB2 route so you’ll be able to guide as regular utilizing their app, in addition to shopping for tickets from the Tate – the galleries themselves are each free to enter.
It’s undoubtedly a enjoyable promoting level for youths who love artwork, and this explicit boat journey in London with youngsters makes way more of an occasion of a go to to the 2.
Or should you’re in search of an much more memorable expertise, you’ll be able to guide a Tate To Tate tour, which features a guided tour of the Tate Britain within the morning, a visit on the Tate Boat, and a guided tour of Tate Fashionable within the afternoon, in addition to different family-friendly non-public excursions of the artwork galleries.
Bus and boat tour of London
For those who can’t resolve whether or not you fancy a ship tour of London or a bus tour, why not do each? There are a number of choices obtainable together with the Large Bus open-top hop-on hop-off bus mixed with a River Thames cruise, and a selection of tickets lasting as much as three days, to find the assorted routes.
Or take a look at this classic bus and boat journey as one other strategy to journey by means of the town on two iconic modes of transport. The traditional doubledecker bus leaves from Victoria Coach Station previous sights akin to Westminster Abbey and the Homes of Parliament, earlier than hopping on a ship alongside the Thames.
Some departures embrace the prospect to see the Altering of the Guard at Buckingham Palace too, relying which period you decide.
Uncover extra royal locations in London with youngsters right here
Go Boat self-drive cruise
For those who desire the thought of getting behind the wheel of a ship your self, take a look at the totally different choices from GoBoat London, with area for as much as eight in every electrical boat (and it’s dog-friendly as properly).
You don’t must have expertise earlier than you set off – there’s coaching given on arrival, together with a route map, plus you’ll get life jackets for infants and buoyancy aids for youngsters too. The captain have to be over 18.
You’ll be able to depart from Paddington and Canary Wharf, providing you with the prospect to discover round Paddington Basin and the Regent’s Canal or by means of the Docklands, in addition to Kingston, cruising alongside the river in West London between Teddington Lock and Molesley Lock, passing Hampton Court docket Palace.
Carry a picnic – you’ll be able to rent the boats for as much as three hours and there’s a desk to sit down round – though it’s essential to know that Paddington is an alcohol-free location.
Take a look at our overview of GoBoat with youngsters from Paddington
Kayak London’s waterways
Wish to be the captain however fancy being in charge of a barely smaller craft? It’s also possible to discover a few of London’s 100 miles of waterways with a spot of canoeing or kayaking.
Moo Canoes has a base at Hackney Wick should you’re trying to take out a canoe (good for households who all need to be in the identical boat) or Limehouse for kayaks (nice should you’re a solo guardian, or desire to separate youngsters and adults between the boats).
For those who’re decided to get out onto the Thames, the London Kayak Firm additionally does reserving for households with youngsters aged 9 and over (the group journeys are for adults solely).
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Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. A number of experiences had been provided to me freed from cost for overview, however all opinions are my very own
Principal picture, Little Venice, Tate Fashionable, kayak courtesy of Depositphotos, Metropolis Cruises courtesy Metropolis Experiences, all others copyright MummyTravels
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