Deluxe Hotel Barging In England
- Travel through the historic Viking trading route of the English waters.
- Cruise the Thames River Royal past royal landmarks such as Windsor Castle and Hampton Court, once occupied by Henry VIII.
- Experience the incredible natural beauty of the English Countryside.
Hotel Barge Magna Carta truly is one of the finest vessels that cruise through the water of the British Isles today. The barge was originally built back in the 1930s and has since undergone numerous restorations to make it the luxurious vessel that never fails to blow away its guests.
Magna Carta features fine mahogany, teak, and oak woods throughout to give a cosy and traditional feel to help its guests to feel more at home. The large saloon and dining areas feature stunning picture windows on either side and contemporary furnishings so that you never miss a view in style.
The refined space of the riverboat continues into the four twin/double suites that accommodate Magna Cartas 8 guests. The suites feature gorgeous period furniture, air-conditioning, and beautiful en-suite shower rooms. The boat also has 4 incredible crew members who will do what they can to accommodate your every need. Within the crew, you will also have your own private chef who will freshly prepare and cook your delicious food throughout the whole trip until your departure date.
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What Time Do They Run
The first boats of the day leave Westminster and Tower piers at 10am. The first boat from London Eye Pier leaves at 10.10am, while the first from Greenwich leaves at 10.30am. The last boat leaving Greenwich departs at 6.30pm. The last one going all the way from Westminster to Greenwich departs at 16.40. Later services from Westminster only go as far as Tower, with the last service departing Westminster at 7.20pm.
London Eye River Cruise
Whether youre 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 actually be a lot more affordable.
This circular loop will take you past locations such as Big Ben, St. Pauls Cathedral, The Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament. If you purchase your tickets online, you can save 10% on your fare.
TIP: This cruise is also part of the London Explorer Pass, which could save you between 20-50% off of the retail price.
Ticket Prices:
- £13 for Adults / £12 when you book online
- £10 for Children / £9 when you book online
- Children under 3 ride for free
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.
Tour Hours
- Daily Cruises from 10:45 to 19:45 pm
- 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.
Reviews
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.
The majority of people who take this cruise find it enjoyable. Its fair to assume that the few complaints may just be random outliers.
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Set Sail On The River Thames With The London Eye River Cruise
This 40 minute river boat cruise will take you through the heart of London along the famous River Thames, where you’ll see some of the city’s most famous landmarks including Houses of Parliament, Big Ben , St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, Tower of London, Shakespeares Globe, Tower Bridge and much more!
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Thames River Services’ 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.
Ticket Prices
- £7.25 for Children/Freedom Pass Holders
Return Ticket
- £11.15 for Children/Freedom Pass Holders
Reviews
This cruise service has been in operation for several years, but they dont 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 humourous.
Reviews say that the boat ride was relaxing and enjoyable, and well-organized.
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Tips For Experiencing The London River Cruise
- The London river cruise offers an excellent photography opportunity, so make sure you have a camera ready
- Avoid leaning over the ship railings or standing at the edge of the decks while on Thames river cruise.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the cruise begins to ensure a hassle free boarding process
- Try to avoid the rainier months while planning your trip to London.
- If you just want to witness the attractions from a distance, opt for the Thames hop on hop off sightseeing tour.
- If youre planning to visit the London Eye, you could go for the London Eye river cruise and combine two activities in one visit.
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.
Boats run every 30 minutes. It is a 20-minute ride and is within the Central Zone so this is a one-zone ticket.
The boats have both outdoor and indoor seating. As this is not a sightseeing boat there is not live commentary.
It is, however, a great way to get out onto the water and move quickly between museums and their surrounding neighborhoods.
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.
Prices
- Adult: One Way – £9.10 | Return – £15.50
- Child 5 to 15: One Way – £4.55 | Return – £9.10
- Children under 5 travel for free
- Adult TfL Travelcard: One Way – £6.10 | Return – £12.20
- Child 5-15 TfL Travelcard: One Way – £3.05 | Return – £6.10
- London Freedom Pass: One Way – £4.55 | Return – £9.10
Schedule
For a complete timetable the RB2 route that stops at both Tates, click here for schedules. Look for times for Bankside and Millbank .
Reviews
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 havent actually received any negative ratings.
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Why Go For A Thames Cruise
London is a city that is home to many delights. From the majestic London Eye to the historic Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, theres a lot to see and do in this beautiful city. Thames river cruises offer one of the best ways to discover London. The river flows through the heart of central London, which happens to be home to some of the memorable landmarks in the city. You not only get to see most of the citys primary attractions, but you do so at a comfortable pace which allows you to fully immerse yourself into the London experience.
More than just being a convenient way to explore the city, the experience of taking a leisurely cruise through London has a certain charm thats hard to find in other means of transport. This is a fact many London tourists agree with if the demand for London cruises were to go by. If youre planning to take the plunge , we have put together just the guide for you. Our Thames cruise guide will answer all your questions and help you pick a cruise that suits your preferences! Lets begin.
Be Informed And In Control Using London’s River Services
City Cruises will accept Oyster cards for discounts on fares
Ask most Londoners about the scheduled river boat services on the River Thames and they will probably know little of what you’re talking about.
The service is there though and should be hugely attractive to visitors to London. You can even use your Oyster card or Travelcards to enjoy discounts on fares.
For visitors the key stretch of river is between the London Eye and Tower Pier in the shadow of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
The popular London hop-on, hop-off open top sightseeing tours also include a river cruise in their tickets on this stretch of water.
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England Barge Cruise Highlights
Hotel Barge Magna Carta cruises the royal river Thames between Hampton Court Palace and Henley on the Thames. Along the way, you will pass through the quaint English waterways surrounded by the natural beauty of the green countryside.
As you cruise the historic Royal River Thames you will get the chance to see stunning riverside towns and villages. In addition to this, these stunning waterways take you past iconic Royal landmarks such as Windsor Castle and Hampton Court, which was once the residence of King Henry VIII.
The English countryside boasts some of the most beautiful scenery that the world has to offer. You can pass through the picturesque landscape before stopping for drinks at a traditional local pub where you can take in the tremendous culture of the stunning island.
Lunch And Dinner Cruises
Sightseeing cruises are nice, but they might not be the best option for business events or dating.
If youre 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 over a variety of dining and party cruises, such as tea and showboat cruises, that allow you to enjoy more than just the sights and the sounds of London.
To browse a full list of lunch and dinner cruises options by type rather than by company, .
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Uber Boat By Thames Clippers
Thames Clippers is a commuter boat service that sells single ride tickets but also offers a day ticket, called Uber Boat, that gives you unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel for one day .
The Uber Boat is valid in their Central and East Zone lines which includes 18 piers including Greenwich, Tower, Westminster, and more. Boats depart every 20 minutes.
Some of the attractions you can get to easily from the Uber Boat piers:
Reviews
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 a great value for the money. Staff is said to be courteous and helpful.
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. Read reviews here.
Thames River Services 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 ten different tours offered out of Westminster, Greenwich, and St. Katharine’s.
Additionally, this boat tour company provides transportation to popular sightseeing locations such as the Thames Barrier and the Tower of London.
Guests have the option to pay for a one-way ticket or round-trip fare as well as a hop-on, hop-off ticket .
Reviews
Top River Cruises In London
The London river cruise offers an excellent means of sightseeing. Cruising across the River Thames, one catches a glimpse of some of Londons best attractions. Certain tours are of a more traditional bent and offer a mere 30 minute ride, while some also offer meals on-board, along with a number of other entertainment shows.
Usually opted for along with a visit to the London Eye, the London Eye river cruise is one of the most popular options. The thirty minute cruise is circular, with pick up and drop off at the Tower Pier port. Wandering along the Thames, the short cruise offers glorious views of some of the most prominent landmarks in London, including the Big Ben, the Westminster Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The cruise is accompanied by a traditional British afternoon tea a fresh selection of scones, cakes and freshly brewed hot coffee and tea await all cruisers on board.
The River Thames Evening Cruise is one of the most romantic of river cruises in London. Unlike most daytime tours, the Evening Cruise sets off after sunset, offering one a splendid glimpse of how the London skyline appears when lit up at night. Cruisers will catch sight of Londons best and brightest in all its lit up glory- from the London Eye to the Tower Bridge. The Thames Evening Cruise also includes a dinner, comprising a host of non vegetarian and vegetarian delicacies, along with drinks. Accompanying the meal will be an array of live performances, including cabaret shows and live music.
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How Much Does It Cost
The hop-on hop-off boat tour normally sets you back £19.50 for an adult, £12.75 for a kid , but its included with your London Pass. This entitles you to embark and disembark as many times as you wish over a 24 hour period, at any of the four stops along the river. For other tickets, the full cruise – Westminster to Greenwich or vice versa – is £13.25 for an adult single, £8.50 for a child single. If youre just going one stop, upstream or downstream, its £10.75 for an adult, £7.00 for a child. Return tickets for the full tour – Westminster to Greenwich or vice versa – are £17.50 for an adult, £11.25 for a child. If youre going one stop down the river, upstream or down, its £16 for an adult and £10.75 for a child.
What Is The London Eye River Cruise
The London Eye River Cruise is a 40 minute circular sightseeing tour, along the River Thames. Departing from The London Eye pier you will be taken on route to see the House of Parliament, though to The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, where you will return back to The London Eye Pier.
This is a circular tour, and doesn’t stop at other piers throughout the duration of your cruise. Why not combine your visit with The London Eye with the River Cruise?
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Sail On A 1920s Barge
Hop aboard a historic wooden Thames Sailing Barge, Lady Daphne, and enjoy a voyage through history along the Thames.
Spend a day or an evening on a wooden sailing vessel built in 1923 and have Tower Bridge raised especially for you during the trip!
Lady Daphne is the last wooden sailing barge still working on the Thames regularly and in addition to their private tours, you can take a public tour when offered.
Most trips begin at Tower Millennium Pier, and you pass through Tower Bridge en-route downstream towards Greenwich.
Depending on the time and length of your trip, you can get to see the O2, Canary Wharf, and maybe a glimpse of the Thames Barrier!
Check their website for prices and more information.
Uber Boat By Thames Clippers To Greenwich
You can also venture outside of the city centre by boat. Travel to via one of the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and arrive in appropriately nautical style at the historic maritime area. Download its app to make use of an audio guide during the 30-minute journey from central London.
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Booking London River Cruise Tickets
Pre-booking tickets is the best way to guarantee a place on board your river Thames cruise, and some operators now require you to do so as part of new procedures in place following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
You can pick up tickets at pier ticket offices for some services, while other operators require pre-booking via an app or contactless payment when boarding if you have a Travelcard, you can get a third off some fares. Touch in and out with your pay as you go Oyster card for a discounted fare on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services.
Browse through the London river cruises in the “All River Tours” link below, or find out how to use river bus services.
London River Leisure Service
Specifically aimed at leisure visitors is a service that links Westminster Pier , London Eye, Tower Pier and Greenwich.
The service operates year round with winter and summer schedules.
It is these river services that the popular London hop-on, hop-off open top sightseeing tours use as part of their day tickets. You get a voucher that allows one cruise between Westminster Pier or the London Eye to Tower Pier in front of the Tower of London.
The whole cruise on this sector non-stop takes about 30-40 minutes. It is certainly worthwhile taking advantage of as it gives a totally different perspective of London and many of the top attractions that the boats pass.
You can buy individual tickets or there are day tickets where you can use the boats as a hop-on, hop-off service.
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