london boat tours thames

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

River Thames Cruise Prices and Reviews

What is the best london river cruise.

While our free London walking tours are a great way to see and learn a lot about the city, Thames River cruises offer a completely different perspective that you might also enjoy - I certainly do!

In this post I am going to detail all the different options you have for cruising through London, as well as sharing some of my experiences and top tips.

The most popular type of river cruise is a hop-on hop-off tour , allowing you to stop and get off the boat at various docks on the Thames.

Here are the top cruise services in London:

City Cruises

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Thames river service.

There are also special cruise services such as Tate to Tate by Thames Clippers , connecting both historic museums by boat.

Alternatively, you might also want to consider a circular loop without any stops, or perhaps a speedboat ride during the summer.

Like many cities, there are also lunch and dinner cruises available on the Thames River.

If you're in North London (where I live), you might want to consider a canal cruise around Little Venice and Camden Lock instead.

Concerned about the price? Check my list of combo packages that include a Thames River cruise for free!

Although I do my best to provide a balanced look at these services, it's important to get other perspectives, so I've also included a selection of recommendations from members of our London Travel Tips Facebook group.

Disclosure:  While my recommendations are always unbiased, Tours by Foot may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

TIP: When planning your boat tour or cruise, make sure to check out the  weather in London beforehand.

HOP-ON-HOP-OFF THAMES RIVER CRUISES

If you’re looking for a boat tour or cruise that will allow you the freedom to explore at your own pace, consider one of the following companies.

Although there aren’t many London boat services that specialize specifically in hop-on-hop-off Thames cruises, there are a few that provide the opportunity to explore London however you wish.

You can choose to purchase one single ride, a cheaper return ticket, or a 24-hour travel pass with unlimited rides.

TIP: Many of these cruises are included for free or at a lower cost with any of the many London tourist attraction passes available to you.

City Cruises is probably the most well-known company offering a basic Thames River cruise. They are also the best value for the money, in my opinon.

City Cruises also offers speedboat tours and lunch and dinner cruises .

City Cruises offers both single tickets (which are fine) and a hop-on-hop-off service with 4 stops between Westminster and Greenwich (which is better). 

The hop-on-hop-off ticket is called the River Pass and I bought this one just recently, when the spring weather finally hit London!

I used it to get me from Greenwich and back primarily, but I did make an impromptu stop at London Bridge to grab lunch at Borough Market.

I bought the River Pass, which gave me 24-hour unlimited access to the River on City Cruises Boats.

Even though I'm a tour guide, I enjoy going on other people's tours so I really enjoyed the live commentary on the journeys I took.

I was happy for the 24 hour pass, but if you want more time on the boat, you can get a 72-hour River Pass giving you three days to use the service, rather than the 24-hour pass I bought.

Since the weather was good, I sat on the open-aired top of the boat - but there is inside seating downstairs if the London weather gets a bit wet or chilly.

TIP:  City Cruises' hop-on-hop-off service is  included for free for holders of a London Pass , a tourist attraction concession card. It is also  included for free  with the purchase of a 24 or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off open-top bus ticket with Tootbus Tours.

Click on the map for a larger view .

Single Tickets

Single-ride tickets vary depending on your starting and ending point. 

Prices start at £10.80/adult (16+), £7.05/child (5-15), and free for infants 4 and under.

See their full list of single and return ticket prices here .

If you are planning on taking at least two rides, I recommend that you buy a River Pass.

This pass gives you unlimited travel between their piers.

River Pass Tickets

24-Hour Pass

• £24 Adults (16+)
• £16.00 for Children (5-15)
• Free for Infants (4 and under)

More information or to purchase tickets .

Cruises run every 30 minutes. (Frequency changes seasonally).

Exact departure times depend on which pier you wish to depart from.

But, as soon as I got to the piers I was able to check the display board to see exactly how long I would need to wait for the next service.

Highlights along the cruise include the London Eye, OXO Tower, London Bridge, The Shard, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Greenwich.

TIP:  City Cruises hop-on-hop-off service is usually  included for free for holders of a London Sightseeing Pass , a tourist attraction concession card. It is also  included for free  with the purchase of a 24 or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off open-top bus ticket with Tootbus Tours.

Reviews of City Cruises

City Cruises sports a 4 out of 5 stars  rating on TripAdvisor along with mostly positive reviews.

Thousands of reviewers have given them a 5-star rating, which is a good sign.

The negative comments that have been left often mention unforeseen technical issues with the boats or scheduling software.

I haven't personally experienced any of that myself, however.

To avoid any issues, make sure to arrive early for your cruise and call them the day before your excursion to make sure there are no problems.

Thames Clippers is a commuter boat service which, in my opinion, are a vastly underrated way to travel through town.

They offer single-journey tickets, as well as an all-day ticket, that gives you unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel for one day (between 10 am and 11 pm).

This is what I always recommend to my friends and family when they come to visit me in London.

I think it's great value for money and makes travelling through town a little more fun and I take the Uber Boat at least once a month.

One of my favourite things about it is that I can pay using my contactless debit card so there's no need to faff around with tickets!

The Uber Boat is valid in their Central and East Zone lines which include 18 piers including Greenwich, Tower, Westminster, and more. Boats depart every 20 minutes.

Some of the central London landmarks you can get to easily from the Uber Boat piers:

• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Tower of London
• Tower Bridge
• Tate Modern
• Covent Garden
• Trafalgar Square
• Borough Market 
• National Gallery of Art
• British Museum
• Houses of Parliament
• Churchill War Rooms
• HMS Belfast
• Shakespeare's Globe
• Palace of Westminster

You can download their free audio tour (available in English, Spanish, French, and German) if you are taking the boat for sightseeing purposes, but I feel that the journey is enjoyable even without it.

Also, to the delight of myself and my friends, you can buy alcoholic (and non) refreshments on board.

I can personally recommend the rose' wine they sell, although the pre-mixed cans of Jack Daniels and Coke seemed to be the most popular option the last time I was at the bar.

And prepare yourselves...

The boat travels at a moderate speed through the city but once we passed Tower Bridge, it sped up and I was flying past the docklands toward Canary Wharf!

It's a thrill not everybody on board was expecting.

Uber Boat Ticket Prices

• £22.10 Adults (16+)
• £11.05 for Children (5-15)
• This cruise is included with the London Pass .

Thames Clippers has received a 4 out of 5 stars  rating on both TripAdvisor and Viator.

Most reviews are very positive, stating that it is great value for the money. The staff is said to be courteous and helpful, which I definitely would agree with.

Also, guests said that the boat went just fast enough to get from point A to point B efficiently while still being slow enough to enjoy sightseeing with the downloadable app, which I think is an accurate way to describe the journey.

Read reviews here .

Thames River Services (TRS) offers a variety of guided sightseeing tours that cover several different highlights along the river.

Prices and the length of the trip vary depending on what route you select.

There are a total of six different tours offered out of Westminster, Greenwich, and St. Katharine's Docks (my favourite hidden gem and place to get a drink or bite to eat after finishing my All in One Tour ).

I would recommend the Westminster to Greenwich journey to soak up all the sights on the riverfront.

Guests have the option to pay for a one-way ticket or round-trip fare, a 2 days hopper pass, or a hop-on, hop-off ticket (through Circular Cruises).

With a 4 ½ out of 5 stars  rating on both Yelp and TripAdvisor, TRS is one of the highest-rated cruise companies in London. 

A majority of reviews are very positive, but there are a few negative comments. 

Complaints tend to focus on the fact that this is a sightseeing cruise, which means it might not be as speedy as other services.

I find that the leisurely ride with TRS is enjoyable, but it's not the best way to travel through town via the River - that definitely goes to the UberBoats.

Other than these issues, most passengers love Thames River Services!

Find out more about Thames River Service Tours .

Tate to Tate by Thames Clippers

This route on the Thames Clippers service is the "RB2 Tate to Tate".

It takes visitors between the two Tate Museums: the free  Tate Modern  at Bankside Pier and Tate Britain at Millbank Pier.

I recently took this ride to see the latest exhibition at the Tate Britain.

Boats run every 30 minutes and when I arrived at the pier I just tapped with my contactless card to pay for my journey - like with the Uber boats.

I only needed to wait 10 minutes for the boat and the ride took me 20 minutes so I got across town in a half an hour which is great!

The boats have both outdoor seating but the weather was not great on the day I travelled so I sat indoors.

As this is not a sightseeing boat there is no live commentary, but that wasn't the purpose of my journey so I didn't mind.

You can purchase tickets in advance online from the Tate Shop website , or before you board a boat from a self-serve kiosk on the pier.

You can also use your  Oyster card , if you have one, upon boarding the boat.

When you purchase, look for the RB2 service, a central zone ticket price.

Find out more or book tickets here.

Prices (single one-way ticket)

• Adult:  One Way - £10.90
• Child 5 to 15:  One Way - £5.45
• Children under 5 travel for free
• Adult TfL Travelcard: One Way - £7.30
• Child 5-15 TfL Travelcard: One Way - £3.65

For a complete timetable of the RB2 route that stops at both Tates, click  here for schedules.

Look for times for Bankside (the Tate Modern) and Millbank (the Tate Britain).

The Tate Boat service has been given a 4 ½ star rating on TripAdvisor.

Although it is not a full five stars, the reality is that they haven’t received any negative ratings.

There is only one complaint thus far, and it focuses on the length of time it may take to get tickets onto the boat.

I found that this is no longer a problem as I just used my contactless card so there is no need to wait for tickets these days.

But, even that reviewer suggests that you persevere and use this ferry service to get from Tate to Tate as it was worth the hassle.

Most passengers love this form of transportation, and I find it pretty reliable!

CIRCULAR LOOP THAMES RIVER SIGHTSEEING CRUISES

A circular loop cruise is specifically a river tour of the Thames.

From the boat, you will see many amazing sights such as  St. Paul’s Cathedral , the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament , and  Big Ben .

Most circular loop cruises are about an hour long. 

Note that some circular loop cruises are hop-on-hop-off while others allow you to leave the cruise at any pier, but you may not board again.

Thames River Service Circular Cruise

This circular loop cruise allows you to hop on and off whenever you wish so that you can get a better look at the sites located all along the Thames.

The full cruise takes about an hour, but you can embark and disembark at your discretion throughout the day.

This circular cruise will take you past more than a dozen historic locations that are visible from the water.

There is commentary provided along the way to point out significant sights such as Old Scotland Yard or the Houses of Parliament.

Find more information or purchase tickets here.

Ticket Prices 

Click here to purchase tickets .

Single Ticket

• £12.90 for Adults
• £8.90 for Children/Freedom Pass Holders

Return Ticket

• £18.90 for Adults
• £12.90 for Children/Freedom Pass Holders

This cruise service has been in operation for several years, but they don’t have a lot of reviews.

The few negative reviews say that the tour feels short and that you do not see so many sights.

Mostly though the reviews are positive, saying that the live commentary is very informative and humorous.

Reviews say that the boat ride was relaxing and enjoyable, and well-organized. I haven't taken this one yet myself so we will take their word for it for now!

The London Eye River Cruise

Whether you’re planning to visit the London Eye or you just want a tour around the Thames which focuses on the giant Ferris wheel, this river cruise is a great alternative to other services.

Although the London Eye River Cruise is not as long as other boat tours in the area, it can be a lot more affordable.

This circular loop will take you past locations such as Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, and the Houses of Parliament.

You can also purchase this as a bundle with your London Eye Tickets which is great for visitors wanting to take a journey on the ferris wheel.

I've done this in the past and booked online which saved me over £11.00!

TIP: This cruise is also part of the London Explorer Pass , which could save you between 20-50% off of the retail price.

Find out more or purchase tickets here.

Ticket Prices :

• £19.50 for Adults
• £16.50 for Children
• Children under 2 ride for free
• Cruise and London Eye Adult Price £60.00 for Adults and £54.00 for Children

Before purchasing tickets, note that this cruise is included in the  London Explorer Pass , which could save you between 20-50% off of the retail price.

When I went, I timed my visit to coincide with the tour departure times.

A single rotation on the London Eye takes around 30 minutes, and I went off peak so didn't have to wait in a queue.

It is possible to get the timings right if you do a bit of planning!

• Daily Cruises from 10:45 to 19:45
• Cruise departs *10.45, 11.45, 12.45, 13.45, 14.45, 15.45, 16.45, *17.45, *18.45, *19.45

Note: *Opening times may vary depending on seasonality. Be sure to check their schedule .

This river cruise company has earned a 4 ½ out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor.

Although there is a small contingent of passengers who had negative experiences, most reviews are very positive.

There aren’t enough complaints to suggest that these are common problems and I certainly didn't experience any. 

Positive reviews for the service indicate that other guests found their tour guides to be quite helpful and informative.

The majority of people who take this cruise find it enjoyable - my family who I went with enjoyed it as they had limited time in the city so that made it a convenient choice for us.

It’s fair to assume that the few complaints may just be random outliers.

Sail on a 1920s Barge

Hop aboard a historic wooden Thames Sailing Barge, and enjoy a voyage through history along the Thames.

Lady Daphne was the last wooden sailing barge still working on the Thames - and has recently be replaced by the Sailing Barge "Will."

There are regularly run tours and the ship is also available for private hire.

A fellow tour guide, Jess, and I were lucky enough to take a journey on the Lady Daphne and hope to repeat it with Will in the future!

On our journey, we boarded at Tower Millennium Pier and rode all the way to Greenwich (where we got an awesome view of the Thames Barrier) and back.

But the best part was that we also got to sail under Tower Bridge - and they raised the Bridge just for our boat! We felt like real VIPs.

Check their website for prices and more information.

SPEEDBOAT RIDES

Speedboat rides on the Thames are not a budget option, but they are thrilling - and I find them to be very popular with families who take my walking tour.

Throughout the experience, passengers will alternate between enjoying a leisurely ride along the Thames for sightseeing and a fast-paced thrill ride.

Guests are well protected with waterproof jackets, a life jacket, and goggle-style visors to withstand the thrilling wind speeds they will experience.

Thames RIB Experience

This RIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat) is one of the fastest boats on the Thames, jetting visitors along the river at approximately 30 knots.

Each boat (which only holds up to 12 people) is manned by a guide who provides commentary throughout the journey.

In addition to their longer tour of the Thames, this company also manages three shorter tours of Canary Wharf, and the Tower Millennium Pier.

Ticket prices typically depend upon the length of the boat ride.

Find more information or purchase tickets here .

Ticket Prices:

Thames Barrier Experience (75 minutes)

• £69.00 for Guests 14+
• £59.00 for 14 and Under

Canary Wharf Experience (50 minutes)

• £54 for Guests 14+
• £49 for Children 2 - 13 years

Tower RIB Blast (20 minutes) - This is the one I hear the most about on my tours!

• £35.50 for Guests 14+
• £31.50 for Children 2 - 13 years

The Thames RIB Experience has earned a full 5-star rating on TripAdvisor – and that includes over 2,500 positive reviews.

Many comments report that this is an excellent trip for families on holiday.

Other positive comments mention that you will probably get wet while on this excursion, so it’s best experienced during hot days (I know that sounds like a joke but we DO get hot weather - I promise!).

This is intended as more of an entertaining thrill ride. If you’re looking for excitement on the river, consider the Thames RIB Experience.

Thames Jet by City Cruises

This speedboat service is managed by City Cruises and offers a similar excursion to the RIB Experience I listed above.

They don’t offer as many tours as their competitors, but the Thames Jet is an excellent alternative.

Their Thames Rush speedboat tour is over 50 minutes.

Ticket prices are comparable to similar services, but they also offer family tickets at a concession.

• £49 for Adults
• £39 for Children (15 and under)

Tour Hours:

• 9 tours between 11 am and 7 pm (there may be fewer tours in the winter months)

TripAdvisor has given the Thames Jet service 4 ½ out of 5 stars . Most of the reviews are very positive, but there are a few negative comments.

Luckily, the few negative reviews don't appear to be the norm.

Most people enjoy this speedboat tour, with a majority of reviews stating that the tour guides are very entertaining and informative.

CANAL BOAT RIDES

Operating entirely along the canals that flow through the north of London, a canal ride is a charming way to see parts of London that most tourists miss.

As I live in north London, a canal ride is a yearly tradition of mine!

For a true experience off the beaten path, these relaxing and beautiful rides are a definite must.

Jason's Original Canal Boat Trip

From March to November, you can take a canal boat ride with Jason's Original with live commentary from trained guides. 

• One Way: Adult - £18 / Concession £14
• Return: Adult - £23 / Concession £19

Jason’s London Canal Boat Trip is offered as part of the London Pass , which means more savings for you! 

London Waterbus Company

This is the company I usually book with as the price is great, the boats are comfortable, and the staff are fantastic.

The last time I went was a beautiful summer day and I boarded in Little Venice and travelled to Camden Lock (where Camden Market is).

On the ride, we passed through Regent's Park and the grounds of London Zoo for some charming views!

It took us just 45 minutes for the one way journey, and I enjoyed live commentary the entire way.

• Adult (17-59 years) £16.00
• Child (5-16 years) £12
• Student 17+ with photo student ID £12
• Senior 60+ years £12
• Toddler (under 3 years) Free

Check their  website  for more details and to purchase tickets.

LUNCH AND DINNER CRUISES

Sightseeing cruises are nice, but they might not be the best option for business events or dating.

If you’re looking for a more sociable trip along the Thames, consider one of the following Dining Cruises.

In addition to the typical dinner cruise, many companies offer a variety of dining and party cruises, such as tea and showboat cruises, that allow you to enjoy more than just the sights and sounds of London.

To browse a full list of lunch and dinner cruise options by type rather than by company, click here .

Whether you want to go on a cruise with wonderful music and fabulous food, or you just want to have your afternoon tea out on the Thames, City Cruises offers a wide variety of options.

The Jazz Cruise is my favourite! I did this one just a few weeks ago, in fact. I arrived with a friend about 15 minutes before departure.

When I boarded I was given a glass of sparkling wine to kick things off! I was shown to our pre-allocated table and then we were free to wander the boat and enjoy the live music.

After being on the water for a bit, we returned to our table for a fantastic 3-course dinner, followed by dancing as the band continued to play.

The whole experience lasted about 3 hours and was worth every penny!

If you order online during the summer, you can save 20% on each dining cruise offered through this company.

Tickets are already quite affordable, so this is an excellent opportunity to save money while having fun out on the water.

More information or to purchase .

I am lucky because I live in London which means I can take advantage of these tours all year long.

The reason I'm saying this is because their prices fluctuate throughout the year and on different days of the week.

So it's worth taking a look at their fare calendars to see which is cheapest when you are in town.

Lunch Cruise on The Thames

• £51 for Adults
• £41 for Children (ages 3-12)

Afternoon Tea on The Thames

• £55 for Adults
• £45 for Children (ages 3-12)

Jazz Cruise on The Thames

• £107+ (depending on date/time) per Adult (18+ only)

London Dinner Cruise on The Thames

• £89+ (depending on date/time) per Adult (18+ only)

When it comes to its dining cruises, this company has received fairly high ratings on TripAdvisor.

Although this isn’t their primary service, City Cruises regularly receives positive remarks for their dining boat trips.

Most reviewers have given them a 5-star rating, reporting that the food is quite excellent and the cruise itself is very relaxing.

Some have said that their Sundowner cruise is a great way to unwind after a long day, while others have reported that the Afternoon Tea cruise is a good value for the money.

And, as I stated above, the Jazz Cruise gets 5 stars from me, too.

BUS & BOAT COMBOS

There are a lot of boat tours and cruises offered on the Thames, but none of them can show you EVERYTHING worth seeing in London.

To experience more than just the river that runs through this beautiful city, you’ll want to consider combining a cruise with either walking tours or bus tours.

Thankfully, there are a lot of companies in the area that provide combo packages that include many different types of excursions.

These combination packages can be a great way to save money on all kinds of activities!

Big Bus Tours

Big Bus is one of the most popular tour companies in the world.

They offer services internationally and are well known for providing quality service.

Their combo package for London includes a cruise with City Cruises, their hop-on, hop-off bus tour, a selection of guided walking tours, and a promo codes booklet.

Tickets for this combo package can be purchased either for 24 or 48 hours, allowing you to take as much time as you wish to enjoy everything included.

If you’re looking for a combination package that will allow you to discover as much of the city as possible without paying a lot of money, this is a great choice.

Click here for more information or to book .

• £44.00 for Adults
• £35.00 for Children (ages 5-15)
• £140.50 for Families (2 Adults + 2 Children)
• £64.00 for Adults
• £54.00 for Children  (ages 5-15)
• £209.00 for Family (2 Adults + 2 Children)
• Tickets can be used on any date within 6 months of purchase.
• Enjoy each tour or cruise at your own leisure.
• Follow the tour hours of City Cruises to schedule your boat trip.

Big Bus Tours of London has a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor. Most reviews are very positive, and comments about this specific combo package tend to be favorable.

Even customers who did not enjoy their experience reported that the cruise was excellent. Many passengers have said that this is a great value for the money.

Others report that the buses run frequently, allowing you to get off and experience various sites such as the Tower of London.

Tootbus Tour

This tour service is almost the same as Big Bus Tours.

Much like their competitor, they also offer a Thames River cruise pass through City Cruises.

In recent times, I have found that the Tootbus has become more popular with my visitors than Big Bus Tours and they seem to be getting ever more popular.

You’ll also have access to 80+ stops at attractions all over London on their hop-on, hop-off bus tour.

Ticket prices are very similar, so this might be a great alternative if other combo packages are all sold out.

Ticket Prices  (online purchase)

• 24 Hour Tickets: £46/Adults | £26/Children
• 48 Hour Tickets: £53/Adults | £31/Children

Purchase tickets or learn more .

• Tickets can be used on any date within 6 months of purchase
• Enjoy each tour or cruise at your own leisure
• Follow the tour hours of City Cruises to schedule your boat trip

Tootbus, once known as the Original London Sightseeing Tour, has received a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor.

A majority of the reviews are positive, but experiences with this tour company are a bit more mixed than other services in the same range.

Most of the complaints focus on a lack of buses, but, in my opinion, this has changed as the brand has become more popular.

Most customers have not reported a problem with their offerings, and there are thousands of reviews suggesting that this company provides excellent service.

Many passengers noted that their tour guides are very good (and I know a couple of them personally so I van vouch for that, too!), so this should be a great choice if you want to learn a lot about the London area.

Things to Know When Going on a River Thames Cruise

Do you need to book Thames River Cruises in advance?

You don't necessarily need to, but if you do not book your tickets in advance, then you can get ticket from ticket counters on piers.

Due to limited availability, you may not always get tickets for a particular date or time slot. As such, it is always advisable to book your cruise tickets in advance.

Note that it depends which boat journey you are going to take as to whether this is needed or not.

I found it worth it to book in advance for the London Eye and Boat bundle as that saved a bunch of money but for my trips on the Uber Boat, I wouldn't - and don't need to.

Where can I catch a Thames River Cruise?

Piers of some popular cruises are listed below:

• City Cruises - Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier, and Greenwich Pier
• Uber Boat by Thames Clippers - Embankment Pier, Westminster Pier, Tower Millennium Pier, London Bridge City Pier, Canary Wharf, Greenwich Pier, North Greenwich Pier
• Thames River Service - Westminster Pier
• Tate to Tate by Thames Clippers - Bankside Pier, Millbank Pier
• Thames River Services' Circular Cruise - Westminster Pier
• London Eye River Cruise - The London Eye pier
• Lady Daphne - Tower Millennium Pier
• Thames RIB Experience - Embankment Pier
• Thames Jet by City Cruises - Westminster Pier

Our Westminster Walking Tour ends within walking distance of the Westminster Pier and our City of London and All in One Tours finish right next to Tower Millennium Pier!

How far do cruise boats go up the Thames?

It all depends upon which river cruise you are taking.

Most of the cruises start from Westminster Pier and goes up to Tower Millennium Pier.

Some long run cruises also start from Millbank Pier and reach Greenwich Pier.

To see it all, I would strongly recommend riding from Battersea to Greenwich, where possible!

There are also some special river cruises during the warmer months which run from Westminster to Hampton Court Palace .

Are River Cruises safe?

The cruise river boats are inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and they carry modern safety equipment onboard.

Also, trained skippers and crews run the safety briefing as they leave their respective boarding points.

In other words, there is no reason to worry about safety while enjoying a cruise ride.

Tips From Locals and Travelers

Assuming you've read all or even just some of this post, you've had the chance to see my personal recommendations when it comes to Thames River cruises.

However, it's important to get a variety of opinions when it comes to these types of services.

Thankfully, many members of our London Travel Tips group on Facebook will offer their own thoughts on these cruise companies, and I've included some of their most helpful suggestions here.

It can get pretty cold in London during the winter, so travelers might be surprised to learn that they actually do keep most of the Thames River cruises open all year.

While it can get cold, pretty much every company uses boats with an indoor area where you can stay warm as you enjoy the ride.

Even so, it is recommended to bundle up during the winter anyways, so you shouldn't be too cold on a river cruise boat as long as you wear warm clothing.

A lot of locals recommend using the Uber Boat, because it's a very easy and consistent service and it offers stops all along the Thames, even in Greenwich. As you already know, this is my favourite!

The reason this river cruise boat is so popular is because it's often used as transportation by people who live in London, and in fact they rely upon these boats to get to and from work.

Locals also note that you can pay for the Uber Boat by using an Oyster Card, and they offer price cuts for card holders.

Even better, once you get past the Tower Bridge, the boat will speed up and allow you to get around the city much quicker!

If you're wondering whether to take a hop-on hop-off tour on the river or a dinner cruise, it's worth noting that the dinner cruise does not include any commentary.

Travelers who want to learn more about the city while cruising down the Thames might not enjoy the dinner cruise as much, but it's still a great service for anyone who wants to enjoy the view of London as the sun is setting!

Other travelers suggest skipping the dinner cruise and hopping on the speed boat. As Trish notes, these boats will wait until they are in clear waters and take off at thrilling speeds!

For even more helpful advice, you can always visit our London Travel Tips group on Facebook and ask whatever questions you might have.

RELATED POSTS

• London to Hampton Court Palace by Boat
• Windsor Castle Tours from London
• Hop on Hop Off London Buses

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

North America

United kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

• Destinations
• Fares & Sailings
• Private Hire
• Information
• Online Booking

About Thames River Boats

Thames River Boats operate cruises from Westminster Pier, Kew Pier, Richmond Landing Stage & Hampton Court Landing Stage with a fleet of traditional River Thames passenger boats. Our services make the perfect day out whether you are visiting the City of Westminster, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the bustling town of Richmond or Hampton Court Palace. Our boats are perfect in any weather & have indoor & outdoor seating, fully licensed bars, toilet facilities & heating for colder days. Our boats are also available for private hire & are ideal for corporate events, birthdays, celebrations, wedding receptions, sightseeing cruises & river transfers.

Our Services

We are currently cruising on a regular basis from Westminster Pier, Kew Pier, Richmond Landing Stage & Hampton Court Landing Stage. Our sailing times can vary from day to day due to the tides. Click the link below to view our upcoming sailings. Tickets can be booked online through our booking system or at our ticket offices.

View Upcoming Sailings     Book Tickets  

Westminster Pier

Richmond Landing Stage

Hampton Court Landing Stage

Testimonials.

My daughter has gone twice now and it is so worth it. For the price to I would definitely recommend. Peaceful atmosphere lovely staff also beverages are served downstairs.

Special Offers

• Cockney Sparrow

The Cockney Sparrow was built in 1976 at Eel Pie Island. She is a two level boat with a deceptively large enclosed saloon and an open top deck. 

M.V Connaught was built by Salter Brothers of Oxford in 1911 & has been cruising between Westminster, Kew, Richmond & Hampton Court for over 100 years. Connaught regularly operates on our services & is also available for private charters.

• Princess Freda

Princess Freda was built in 1926 by T.C. Letcher on the Isle of Wight, and has been restored to a particularly high standard.

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Disabled Access
• Points of Interest
• The Bridges

Cookie Notice : This website does not store personal data in cookies. More info ...

I'm fine with this

Illuminated River Official Boat Tours

See London at night from the river. 

See London in a new light from the comfort of our boats. Our Illuminated River Official Boat Tours will run every Saturday this winter from Tower Pier.

Illuminated River is a long-term art installation transforming the capital at night, bathing nine of the bridges that cross the Thames in environmentally-friendly LED light: London, Cannon Street, Southwark, Millennium bridges were the initial bridges to undergo vivid night-time transformations in 2019; followed by Blackfriars, Waterloo, Golden Jubilee, Westminster and Lambeth bridges in 2021.

The best way to enjoy the world’s longest piece of public art is to join an Illuminated River Official Boat Tour; showcasing the spectacle from the river itself!

You'll hear from City of London and Westminster Guides as you glide beneath the newly-reborn architectural, social and historical landmarks that have shaped the capital's history.

Join us at Tower Pier on Saturdays at 21:30.

Our Illuminated River Boat Tours are not running during the summer but we'll return in September.

In the meantime you can enjoy a journey underneath all nine Illuminated River bridges - from London Bridge to Lambeth Bridge by taking our regular services -as a bonus you can also sail under Tower Bridge! 

• For the best experience travel after sundown
• For the full journey travel between Canary Wharf and Battersea Power Station

Check our timetable 

On board commentary

Official City of London Guides  and City of Westminster Guides will provide information about each bridge's history

Refreshments available on board

The onboard café bar sells a selection of refreshments to make your journey even more pleasant

Tours depart at 21:30

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. The tour lasts around 40 minutes, returning to Tower Pier at 22:10.

Tours start and end at Tower Pier

Departure from Boarding Point D Tower Pier is step-free and wheelchair accessible.

Find out more about Tower Pier

Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster © James Newton

Lambeth Bridge © Paul Crawley

Blackfriars Bridge and the City of London © James Newton

Golden Jubilee Bridges © Jason Hawkes

Millennium Bridge, Southwark Bridge and The Shard

Millennium, Southwark, Cannon Street and London bridges from One Blackfriars

Southwark Bridge and The Shard

London Bridge and the City of London

Child fare is applicable to children aged 5-15. Children aged 4 and under travel free but you will still need to book them a ticket. 

Concession fare is applicable to Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster card and UK regional senior bus pass holders. If a complimentary carer’s ticket is required, please add a ticket selecting the carer fare.

See London in a new light

About the project.

Internationally-acclaimed artist Leo Villareal and British architectural practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands have used the latest LED technology to ‘paint the bridges with light’. Patterns subtly unfold across the bridge structures, delicately drawing attention to their unique features whilst paying attention to each bridge's heritage, wildlife and surroundings. The project is sustainable and energy efficient, creating a lasting transformation that celebrates the bridges' roles in the enduring global identity of London, and encourages people to enjoy the river and riverside at night.

About our tours

Illuminated River Official Boat Tours are circular trips, starting and ending at Tower Pier, and sailing beneath all the bridges which have been lit as part of the project featuring commentary by Official City of London or City of Westminster Guides.

Listen to music inspired by the bridges

• Tickets must be pre-purchased on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers website, they will not be available at piers.
• Children 4 and under travel for free but a ticket still needs to be booked.
• Passengers with a disability and Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster card and UK regional senior bus pass holders benefit from the concession rate. If a complimentary carer’s ticket is required, please add a ticket selecting the carer fare.
• Passengers with hidden disabilities or Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster card and UK regional senior bus pass holders must present their pass when boarding if the concession rate was selected.
• It is the passenger’s responsibility to be at the departure pier 15 minutes before departure as there will be no refund or exchange if the boat is missed.
• Tickets are valid for the Illuminated River Official Boat Tour for the date selected when booking.
• Tickets cannot be used to board a different Illuminated River Official Boat Tour on a different date.
• Tickets are not valid on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers regular services.
• All travel is subject to our Conditions of Carriage

• Search Experiences
• Manage Booking
• Phone # SMS #
• My Offers 5

Evening Cruise on the River Thames | City Cruises™

Do you need to book in advance for a thames evening cruise, how long is a thames evening cruise, what do you wear on a dinner cruise on the thames, is there a toilet on board a thames evening cruise, is there a bar on board a thames evening cruise, be the first to get offers and news, shopping cart, find your experience.

• Thames River Disco Cruise
• Bottomless Brunch Cruise
• 24 Hour Hop-On-Hop-Off Cruise
• Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise
• Afternoon Tea From The Tower
• Thames Jet Speedboat ride
• New Years Eve Cruise 2024/25
• Christmas Disco 2024
• Summer Party Disco Cruise
• Elvis Cruise
• Sundowner/ Riverlights Evening Cruise
• Two Course Lunch Cruise
• Evening Dinner Cruise
• Private Hire
• Premiere Hot Buffets
• Finger Food
• Cold Buffets
• Barbeque Buffet
• Plated Dinner Menu
• Hot Buffet Suppers
• Plated Lunch Menu
• Morning and afternoon Tea Menu
• Testimonials

from a 30 people trip to a 340 people Thames boat party.

Cruises Private Hire

4hr Evening Disco Cruise

Another unique London Tea Venue offering breath-taking view of the River Thames.

 Afternoon Tea

Experience the glimmering sights of the capital city as you ride along the River Thames with a glass of fizz in hand

Enjoy the last day of 2024 with a 4 hours cruise on the River Thames

New Years Eve Cruise

River Thames Cruise and Private Boat Hire, London

Our River Thames luxury cruise vessels can cater for every type of river based function from a 10 people trip to a 240 people Thames boat party. Whether you are organising an intimate family celebration, a corporate function or a party night out with the office, we can help.

More Testimonials

See The Sights

Experience London Attractions From Our Guided Cruise Boats

With the hustle and bustle in the busy streets of London, sightseeing can become just seeing the same site. So why not experience London in another way, by the Thames! With no traffic, you can really awe at the local attractions dotted across our guided tour.

Party Boats

Birthday, Anniversary, Re-union, Office party or just an excuse to have some fun with friends? Our Thames Party Boats in London are the perfect choice; we can provide for your every boat party requirement. Thames party Boat Extras as caterers, DJ’s casino tables or jazz band.

Featured Cruises

• New Year's Eve Cruise 2024/25

View All Cruises

Thames River Tours

Register your email address to receive up to date information and details of our latest special offers.

• Thames Cruises

River Thames Cruises Unit 4a, Tower Workshops 58 Riley Road London SE1 3DG 020 7237 9111

• Covid-19 Announcement
• Terms and Conditions

• +44 (0) 20 3778 0700
• [email protected]
• Manage My Booking

• TICKET INFORMATION
• ACCESSIBILITY
• LONDON JOURNEY PLANNER
• PRIVATE HIRE
• TRAVEL TRADE
• THAMES HISTORY

Thames River Sightseeing Timetable

Temporary timetable on Thursday 30 May 2024

DAILY TIMETABLE from Monday 13 May to Friday 24 May 2024

Westminster to Tower Bridge (Butler’s Wharf Pier) and Greenwich

*(No Greenwich service) These departures are only from Westminster to Butler´s Wharf returning to Westminster

**These departures are one-way only.

*(No Greenwich service) These departures are only from Westminster to Tower Bridge (Butler´s Wharf Pier) returning to Westminster

***18:10 Departure from Greenwich to Westminster will not stop at Tower Bridge

DAILY TIMETABLE FROM 19 APRIL 2024

Westminster to Greenwich via Bankside

Circular Cruise: Westminster to Bankside and Tower Bridge** – 1 hour round-trip

Daily from 3RD January to 29th February 2024

* These last departures are only weekends and from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge Quay returning to Westminster (No Greenwich service)

**(One-Way) – These departures are one-way only without return service

Daily from 1st of March to 22ND of March 2024

* These last departures are only from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge Quay returning to Westminster (No Greenwich service)

Daily from 23RD of March to 31st of May 2024

Service Update for Tower Bridge Quay Operations

Due to upcoming developments at Tower Bridge Quay, our services at this location will be suspended from 19 April 2024. We’re pleased to offer Bankside Pier as a convenient alternative.

Located near London’s key cultural attractions such as The Shard, the Shakespeare´s Globe Theatre, Borough Market, Tate Modern, and St Paul’s Cathedral, Bankside Pier is perfect for those looking to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.

Our Westminster to Greenwich route will now include a stop at Bankside Pier.

For passengers on the Westminster to Tower Bridge Quay route, please note that our cruises will pass under Tower Bridge without stopping, eliminating the need to change boats for the return trip. You may also choose to disembark at Bankside Pier on your way from Westminster.

For more information about our new routes, please click here

We look forward to welcoming you aboard and creating memorable experiences at our new location!

Departure times are subject to change

Daily from 1st June to 1st September 2024

Daily from 2nd september to 27th october 2024, daily from 28th october to 31st december 2024, book your next adventure today.

• +44 (0) 20 3778 700
• [email protected]

This Historic Boat On The River Thames Is Also One Of London’s Best Pubs

Home to some of London's finest comedy nights , knock-back some pints aboard this fascinating pub nestled inside one of the legendary ships that's docked on the River Thames.

Whether you have friends and family visiting or the sun is shining bright, there’s nothing better than a stroll down the River Thames. It’s undeniably one of the best ways to see the capital , and what’s a tour of London without a concluding pint (or two) at one of the city’s many beloved pubs ?

The PS Tattershall Castle  is a floating pub and restaurant docked on the River Thames at Victoria Embankment. Boasting breathtaking views of the London Eye, Westminster, and more , the iconic pub used to be a warship before becoming a passenger ferry across the Humber estuary from 1934 to 1973.

All aboard the Tattershall Castle !

After a long service as a goods and passenger ferry, the boat has been permanently docked at London’s iconic river since 1976, with the Tattershall Castle instantaneously becoming one of the city’s most unique pubs .

From top-notch pub grub on their fantastic deck to drinks in their nautical-themed lounge, the boat has a distinctive character, making it a beloved addition to London’s pub and nightlife scenes. You can expect a stellar selection of ales and beers , classic pub dishes, crafty cocktails, and more . There’s even a fabulous roast dinner on Sundays and delicious pub favourites are available all week.

What’s on at the Tattershall Castle

Beyond those prototypical pub vibes , the Tattershall Castle is known for hosting some fantastic events, including hilarious comedy nights , jazz club , and beyond . They even have a late licence and transform the boat into a nightclub on the regular.

However, we definitely recommend going to their famed comedy shows , with previous performers kick-starting their careers on board, including comedy legends like Micky Flanagan and Michael McIntyre . For tickets and more information, click here or the appropriate link below.

Comedy Night on The River Thames

Comedy on the Thames

You can find The Tattershall Castle at Victoria Embankment, Westminster, Greater London, SW1A 2HR. Nearest stations are Embankment, Charing Cross, and Westminster. Click here to visit their website.

TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH AND PRESS ENTER

UMO Student Shares Insights about Travel Abroad Experience to London and Scotland

June 3, 2024

Contact:  Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Affairs

By Lucy Hammock

MOUNT OLIVE – As a sophomore English language and literature major, I have a natural interest in the United Kingdom, which is the provenance of the English language.  I was therefore excited to travel with UMO to London and Scotland.  From Myrtle Beach, SC I am no stranger to the aggravations of tourism. A large concern of mine was frankly sticking out like a sore thumb. However, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Dan Sullivan provided great insights and guidance for our group.

Our first stop was Westminster Abbey, an extraordinary historical church in the heart of London. The detailing and magnificence of the structure was indescribable. Afterwards, we freely explored the city at our own pace.  My friends, Kate, Maddie, and I hit the ground running. We walked past Big Ben and London Tower Bridge to experience a boat tour down the Thames River.

The next three days in London included a tour through Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio, a walk to Camden and Primrose Hill, The Tower of London, The British Museum, Notting Hill, and Windsor Castle. Each place was unique, offering various aspects of historical and modern London. One of my favorite aspects of the trip was dressing up every day. Locals appeared to wear jeans with intricate coats and high-quality shoes, definitely a culture shock coming from a society of leggings and sweatshirts for every occasion. I confidently wore a red leather jacket without appearing like an eccentric.

The journey from London to Edinburgh, Scotland was by a four-hour train ride. I particularly enjoyed watching our journey from the big city to the secluded Scottish countryside. Upon arrival, we all checked into the hotel and immediately rushed to a local pizza restaurant called Pizza Geek. The interior was filled with comic books and Star Wars memorabilia. Aside from the atmosphere, the pizza was unbelievable. We each ate a large pizza of our own.

Throughout our three-day visit to Edinburgh, we visited St. Andrews Golf Course, Edinburgh Castle, and my overall favorite spot, Arthurs Seat. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. We hiked 2.6 miles to reach the top of the hill to see an extraordinary panoramic view of Edinburgh. The hill was blanketed in bright, beautiful, yellow flowers.

Leaving was more difficult than I had anticipated. I found myself growing accustomed to the way time worked, walking everywhere we went, and dressing up each day. The lifestyle difference between the U.K. and the U.S. was dramatic. I find myself now wishing I could walk down a scenic cobblestone path to shop.  My outlook on the world has vastly expanded following my return from this trip. As an average American, I have traveled to many states, seeing minute cultural differences in each while still falling under the classification of American culture. London and Edinburgh gave me an entirely new perspective of what life can look like. After this amazing journey, I have developed an interest in world-travel. UMO did an exceptional job creating this structured experience that helped many students, including myself, take their first step out of the United States. This trip with fellow classmates and friends will forever hold a dear place in my heart and I could not be more grateful.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu .

Kaylynd Garner Fulfills Educational Goals through Online Format

• Vision, Mission, Values, & Covenant
• President’s Welcome
• Recognitions
• Board of Trustees
• Accreditation
• State Authorizations and Consumer Disclosures
• UMO Student Complaint Process
• Higher Education Act Information
• QEP Steering Committee
• New Traditional Undergraduate Requirements
• Meet Your Admissions Counselor
• Attend An Open House
• Schedule a Personal Visit
• Student Activities
• Residence Life
• Clubs & Organizations
• Intramurals
• Pope Wellness Center
• Health Services
• Counseling Services
• Campus Safety
• How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
• Federal and State Grants & Loans
• Academic Scholarships
• Athletic Scholarships
• Ministerial and Community Grants
• Monthly Payment Plan
• Tuition & Fees
• Cost Calculator
• International Students
• High School Course Credit Requirements
• Request Information
• Adult Undergraduate Requirements
• Adult Undergraduate Financial Aid
• Adult Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
• Graduate Requirements
• Graduate Financial Aid
• Graduate Student Tuition & Fees
• Military Student
• Re-admit Student
• Admissions Information
• Financial Aid and Billing
• Tuition Scholarship Program
• Academic Advising
• Academic Resource Center
• Career Development
• Student Accessibility
• Writing Center
• Learning Commons Team
• Academic Catalog
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty & Staff Directory
• Certifications
• Internships
• Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center
• School of Arts and Sciences
• Meet Robert L. Tillman
• Meet the Dean
• Accreditation and Student Achievement
• Student Organizations
• TSB Internships
• TSB Certification
• Unique Student Practicum Experience
• Farms to Fridges
• IRS VITA Program
• Articulation Agreements
• ROTC Crosstown Agreement
• $6.17 Young Alumni Society
• Alumni Board
• Submit Alumni Board Nominations
• Request a Transcript
• Alumni Awards
• Submit Alumni Award Nomination
• Past Alumni Award Winners
• Alumni Award Descriptions
• Update Your Information
• AgFest Sponsorship

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

London Gallery Weekend flies the flag for art in the capital

• London Gallery Weekend flies the flag for art in the capital on x (opens in a new window)
• London Gallery Weekend flies the flag for art in the capital on facebook (opens in a new window)
• London Gallery Weekend flies the flag for art in the capital on linkedin (opens in a new window)
• London Gallery Weekend flies the flag for art in the capital on whatsapp (opens in a new window)

Melanie Gerlis

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Mayfair’s Cork Street is bedecked with banners covered in clocks, butterflies and question marks, all the work of Britain’s Venice Biennale artist John Akomfrah. His floating project heralds the fourth edition of London Gallery Weekend (May 31-June 2) for which 134 commercial and contemporary art galleries across the city extend their opening hours and lay on special events. 

Conceived during the Covid lockdowns, which put art fairs and their concentrated crowds on hold, London Gallery Weekend is on its way to becoming a fixture in the art calendar. While London already boasts a slew of fairs and exhibitions, by making an event of gallerists’ day-to-day business, the weekend sparks the imaginations of the city’s most creative traders — and brings in the crowds. 

“London Gallery Weekend is distinctly different from our peer events [such as the Frieze fairs] in that it’s about driving people into the gallery’s own spaces,” says co-director Sarah Rustin, also a senior director at Thaddaeus Ropac gallery.

This year’s participating galleries stretch from Harlesden High Street in north-west London to Xxijra Hii and Studio/Chapple in south-east Deptford. Emerging spaces such as Palmer Gallery and Hot Wheels, among the participants that opened in the past year, mix with the likes of London long-timers Sadie Coles and Maureen Paley as well as global outfits Gagosian and David Zwirner. The map can look daunting — London Gallery Weekend is by far the biggest such event worldwide — so organisers have also pulled together route suggestions from art world experts, including the artists Lubaina Himid and Flora Yukhnovich. 

“You can see how the gallery geography has changed since we started,” says the event’s founder Jeremy Epstein, also co-founder of Edel Assanti, which shows a striking installation by Jodie Carey of 150 jesmonite sculptures, moulded around flowers and soil. Epstein notes a marked consolidation into central London, extending beyond the thriving Cork Street — which has 10 participating spaces — to Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia (where Epstein’s gallery is located). In the post-pandemic, work-from-home environment, “there have definitely been deals on commercial property and business rate relief,” he says. This has resulted in some invitingly non-traditional gallery buildings: Union Pacific’s latest space is in a former production agency office in Bloomsbury where it will show paintings by the Seoul-based Jin Han Lee.

London Gallery Weekend’s website lists 128 events at time of writing, some starting earlier in the week. These range from the usual 6pm-8pm openings to full-blown parties. Borough gallery Copperfield marks its 10th anniversary with a “10pm till late” party on June 1 while Harlesden High Street offers a day-long “Caribbean food & music event” on June 2. Possibly less fun, but still engaging, is Hauser & Wirth’s 90-minute “informal gathering” on June 1, for which visitors are encouraged to “express your own opinions” on its concurrent shows of Harmony Korine and Isa Genzken.

This year fields more performances, two organised by London Gallery Weekend and UP Projects, by the Italian artist Adelaide Cioni (two performances on May 31) and Turkey’s Nil Yalter (June 2). Each also has a coinciding show at their respective galleries, The Approach and Ab-Anbar. Other performances come through the participants themselves, including one by Berlin artist Anna-Lena Krause, whose work questions “the bonds connecting people in the modern world” (Guts Gallery, June 2). 

Other galleries are using the opportunity to get collaborative. In south London, Matt’s Gallery and The Sunday Painter have joined forces for the first time for a two-venue showing of new work by London artist Harminder Judge, based on a Native American ceremony. The 10-minute walk between the galleries “is part of the experience of seeing the show,” says Tim Dixon, deputy director at Matt’s. A purpose-built tunnel that leads into his gallery’s exhibition is echoed through a railway tunnel on the walk between the spaces, he notes.

Sadie Coles takes collaboration to a new level on Kingly Street with an ambitious Matthew Barney show, Secondary , a project that runs across three other galleries in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. Coles also hosts Margate’s 243Luz in her residency space.

Historic highlights include a standout show of the collection of the critic and curator Guy Brett, who died in 2021, mostly cutting-edge, 20th-century Latin American works, at Alison Jacques. At Thaddaeus Ropac is Robert Rauschenberg’s ROCI project, an exploration of international artistic exchange that gets its first gallery showing since a major 1991 exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

It certainly isn’t all oil paintings, a reflection of taste moving beyond this most traditional of media. There’s a prevalence of photography, including Gagosian Gallery’s showing of Nan Goldin’s early black-and-white works in its Burlington Arcade space, an extension of its takeover of the former Welsh Chapel on Charing Cross Road. Elsewhere, Maureen Paley shows Hannah Starkey, TJ Boulting has Adam Rouhana and Soft Opening shows Dean Sameshima. Ceramics feature at Kate MacGarry (Renee So) and tapestries at Lisson Gallery (Otobong Nkanga).

Galleries are pushing the boat out, Sadie Coles says, because the event now brings in collectors and curators. “It started out as a nice collegial idea through a WhatsApp group during Covid and has become very professional and very ambitious. People come out and see the shows that weekend,” she says. Visitors include those from outside London, she notes, with travel and accommodation support for curators from museums across the UK, in partnership with the Art Fund, as well as bursaries for approximately five curators from Europe. 

Organisers emphasise that the event is not just for art world cognoscenti. “There’s potentially a much larger public for art,” Epstein says. And while the shows are commercial endeavours, visiting is free, unlike at art fairs and most institutional exhibitions. There’s even a charitable aspect this year: as well as his own exhibition of work by Michaël Borremans, David Zwirner hosts a show of editions sold to raise funds for London’s Gasworks, which provides studio spaces for London-based artists.

The event’s range is a reminder of the city’s creative clout, despite Brexit’s negative impact on the arts and a downbeat economic environment. “We talk so much about the market but look at the offering that London has in terms of being a hub for the next generation of artists,” Rustin says. Coles summarises: “There is a feeling of collaboration, which builds on itself and shows that when we work together we will thrive. London Gallery Weekend has proved its worth.”

londongalleryweekend.art

Promoted Content

Follow the topics in this article.

• Visual Arts Add to myFT
• Collecting Add to myFT
• London Add to myFT
• Melanie Gerlis Add to myFT

International Edition