London, England
London has one of the most iconic skylines in the world. From the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, to newer sites like the Shard and the Gherkin, London’s ever-changing yet eternal skyline is one of the best in the world. The best place to see that skyline is along the River Thames, on one of the many cruises offered to passengers.
Twice, we have taken a cruise on the River Thames, first back in 2003 and then again in 2015. The views from the river are a great way to see the city, as London has worked hard to clear up the pollution that made the Thames a horrible place to be during a portion of London’s history.
How do you know which cruise to take? Depending on your options, you could take a general cruise, a dinner cruise, an afternoon tea cruise, or one of many themed cruises, including those that focus on jazz, murder mysteries, or surprisingly Elvis-themed. The cruises also depart and land in different locations. Both times that we have cruised, we have gone between Westminster Pier and Tower Pier. Still, several other places in the city are linked via commercial boat companies, including Chiswick Pier, Embankment Pier, Greenwich Pier, Hampton Court Landing Stage, Kew Pier, Richmond Landing Stage, and Waterloo Pier (beside the London Eye). The best bet is to either use the River Thames, as it has been used for centuries by Londoners to travel from one part of the city to the other, or to incorporate your cruise with the sightseeing that is nearby. For example, on our 2015 cruise, we boarded right after visiting the Tower of London, so we took a cruise upstream. Because there are so many options and lots to see from the river wherever you may be, a River Thames cruise is easily a repeatable and enjoyable experience in London.
The River Thames itself is fascinating, as it is the second-largest river in the United Kingdom. About half of the River Thames is a tidal estuary, meaning it experiences high and low tides twice daily. The tides generate a consistent mixture of water and sediment, giving the river its distinctive brown color that supports a wide variety of fish and wildlife. London has worked extensively to clean up the river since the days when its citizens pumped raw sewage and industrial waste directly into the Thames.
Many cities are best explored from the water, and London is no different. Once you have walked a few miles exploring the city, you will be appreciative of the chance to sit down and set sail to see the sights. Cruising the Thames is also a great way to get from Point A to Point B in the city.
