Viscount Cruises Logo

"Boats for every occasion."

Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)

Transport for London River Services Logo Daytime Cruises from Greenwich Pier

Thames River Sightseeing

A visit to London isn’t complete without a cruise on the River Thames. Thames River Sightseeing operate regular services from six piers on the River Thames including Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Tower Bridge Quay (St. Katharine Pier) & Greenwich Pier. Thames River Sightseeing cruise 361 days a year & operate a fleet of all-weather vessels with spacious open decks perfect for the summer months & heated saloons with panoramic windows for the colder months. The vessels range from more traditional River Thames passenger boats (London Rose) to more modern vessels purposefully built for the River Thames (Thomas Doggett). A cruise between Westminster & Tower Bridge Quay takes just 30-40 minutes & passes numerous London landmarks including the New Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard, London Bridge & Tower Bridge.

Passengers can embark at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, Tower Bridge Quay or Greenwich & take advantage of a range of ticketing options. Single tickets are suited for day trippers or passengers travelling in or out of London & return tickets allow passengers to disembark & explore before joining a return sailing later the same day. A 2 Day River Pass is the perfect option for anyone visiting London over multiple days. A River Pass allows unlimited travel on our services for just £21.00 per adult, a family River Pass is just £42.00 (for 2 Adults + 3 Children).

Thames River Sightseeing also offer excellent group rates & discounts which are perfect for families, tour companies or travel trade. Toilet facilities & a Multilingual Audio Guide are available on all sailings. The Multilingual Audio Guide is an informative commentary available through our onboard Wi-Fi in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Mandarin (Smart device & headphones are not provided, Read More).

Why Choose Thames River Sightseeing

  • Modern & traditional sightseeing boats with open decks, heated saloons & toilet facilities.
  • Regular departures: Currently every 40 minutes.
  • Onboard Café Bars are open on Saturdays & Sundays serving hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks & light snacks. Some sailings between Monday & Friday may also have refreshments available. (Read More)
  • Scenic cruises between Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, Tower Bridge Quay (St. Katharine Pier) & Greenwich Pier passing more than 44 London landmarks.
  • Wi-Fi Audio Guide available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German & Mandarin. (Smart device & headphones are not provided, Read More)

 

Thames River Sightseeing Routes

We are currently operating 7-days a week calling at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier, Tower Bridge Quay & Greenwich Pier.

Piers on our Routes
Westminster Pier (Houses of Parliament)
Embankment Pier (Charing Cross, Villiers Street & Strand)
Festival Pier (Royal Festival Hall & South Bank Centre)
Bankside Pier (Globe Theatre & Tate Modern)
Tower Bridge Quay (St. Katharine Pier)
Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)

About Greenwich Pier

Greenwich Pier is located on the South shore of the River Thames in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pier sits between the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark & Sir Christopher Wren’s Riverside Masterpiece, the Old Royal Naval College. Today the Royal Borough of Greenwich is an eclectic mix of historical & modern buildings. Greenwich town centre is home to a collection of museums, pubs, restaurants, markets & shops.

A few of Greenwich’s historic buildings include the Queens House (designed by Inigo Jones & the first classical building in England) to the Royal Observatory (Sir Christopher Wren) or St. Alfege Church (Nicolas Hawksmoor).

Private Charters from Greenwich Pier

Our versatile party boats are a popular choice for corporate & private events on the River Thames. Large open decks, heated saloons & fully licensed bars are just a few of the facilities to be found on-board.

We can provide a wide range of catering & dining options, perfectly paired with our extensive wine menu. Our entertainment options & decorations can also make your event truly unique.

Near Greenwich Pier

Cutty Sark, Royal Borough of GreenwichCutty Sark, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About Cutty Sark

Visit the last remaining tea clipper, Cutty Sark. Originally built at Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869 she spent her working life transporting cargo including tea from China and wool from Australia. She has now been fully restored and is an award winning visitor attraction.

Highlights

  • Self-guided tours with an audio guide available through Smartify.
  • View the largest collection of Merchant Navy Figureheads in the world.
  • Enjoy views from Cutty Sark’s deck overlooking Greenwich, the River Thames & the London skyline.
  • Refreshments available in the Cutty Sark café.
Walking Distance  1 Min / 358 Feet Visit Website
Old Royal Naval College, Royal Borough of GreenwichOld Royal Naval College, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the Old Royal Naval College

The Old Royal Naval College is Sir Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece, built in the 17th Century as the Royal Hospital for Seamen on the site of the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Old Royal Naval College boasts beautiful surroundings & some of the most magnificent interiors in London. The Painted Hall in King William Court is home to the largest painted ceiling in Europe, a Baroque masterpiece by Sir James Thornhill depicting over 300 years of English aristocracy & British Naval Power. The Chapel of St Peter & St Paul in Queen Mary Court has a beautiful interior designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stewart. Visitors to the Old Royal Naval College can enjoy tours of the Painted Hall & the grounds & visit the cafe & gift shop located in King William Court.

Highlights

  • Take a self guided tour of the Old Royal Naval College Grounds.
  • Visit the Painted Hall & marvel at the largest painted ceiling in Europe.
  • Take a guided tour of the grounds & the Painted Hall.
  • Visit the Old Royal Naval College Chapel designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart.
  • Explore the Ripley Tunnel & visit the Victorian Skittle Alley & bowl using practice cannon balls.
  • Buy souvenirs & gifts at the Painted Hall Shop or the Greenwich Visitor Centre shop.
  • Refreshments available in the Painted Hall Café in the beautifully restored undercroft.
  • Visit The Old Brewery, a Young’s Gastropub located within the Old Royal Naval College grounds.
  • Regular markets, events & exhibitions around the site.
Walking Distance  2 Min / 0.2 Miles Read More about the Old Royal Naval College Visit Website
Greenwich Market, Royal Borough of GreenwichGreenwich Market, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About Greenwich Market

There have been markets in Greenwich since the 14th century. The current market dates from 1700 when the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital were assigned a royal charter. Greenwich market offers a wide range of antiques, arts, crafts, fashion, jewellery & market food.

Highlights

  • Browse arts & crafts, antiques & souvenirs at the various market stalls.
  • Try street food from around the world at the Greenwich Market food area.
Walking Distance  4 Min / 0.2 Miles Visit Website
National Maritime Museum, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to maritime and naval history. Opened in 1937 by King George VI the museum is home to over 2 million items including art, charts, maps, memorabilia & artefacts.

Highlights

  • Explore the museums galleries & discover stories of the sea & maritime history.
  • Refreshments available in Parkside Café & the Great Map Café.
  • Purchase gifts & souvenirs in the National Maritime Museum Shop.
Walking Distance  6 Min / 0.3 Miles Visit Website
Greenwich Park, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks & has strong ties to the Tudor & Stuart monarchs. In the 15th century Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (brother to Henry V) was granted 200 acres of land & permission to construct a stone tower which later become known as Duke Humphrey’s Tower.

After the Duke’s death the land passed to the Crown & his riverside manor house was remodelled by Henry VII into what became the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Tudor palace was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I & Elizabeth the I & was a favourite residence of the Tudor monarchs due to its close proximity to the river & ample hunting ground. Henry VIII introduced deer to Greenwich Park & their decedents remain to this day.

The Stuart period saw great changes to the park with the demolition of the Palace of Placentia, the construction of the Queens House, Royal Hospital for Seamen (Now the Old Royal Naval College) & the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Tudor hunting grounds & pleasure gardens made way for a more formal landscape designed by André Le Notre, gardener to Louis XIV of France.

Today Greenwich Park spans 183 acres & forms one of London’s most magnificent landscapes. Greenwich Hill offers views of the Queens House, Old Royal Naval College, the River Thames & Docklands.

Highlights

  • Climb Greenwich Hill & stand across the Historic Prime Meridian.
  • Climb Greenwich Hill & marvel at the view across Greenwich, Docklands & London.
  • The Greenwich Park Playground is the perfect place for families to enjoy the park.
  • Refreshments available in the Pavilion Café & the White House Café.
Walking Distance  7 Min / 0.3 Miles Visit Website
The Queens House, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the Queens House

The Queens House was the first classical building in England, built by Inigo Jones for Queen Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I. Now over 400 years old the house has been extensively refurbished and is home to an internationally renowned art collection.

Highlights

Walking Distance  8 Min / 0.4 Miles Visit Website
The Fan Museum, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the Fan Museum

The fan museum was the first of its kind and is situated in a pair of restored Grade II listed town houses dating from 1721. It is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the history of fans and is home to numerous exhibits & the orangery which serves afternoon tea in a picturesque setting.

Highlights

Walking Distance  8 Min / 0.4 Miles Visit Website
The Royal Observatory Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the Royal Observatory Greenwich

The Royal Observatory Greenwich was founded in 1675 by King Charles II. The Observatory sits on the hill in Greenwich Park and is the location of the Historic Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meantime). The Royal Observatory is also home to the Greenwich Time Ball which has marked 13:00 Greenwich Meantime everyday since 1833.

Highlights

Walking Distance  15 Min / 0.7 Miles Visit Website
Rangers House, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About Rangers House & the Werhner Collection

Rangers House was built c. 1700 by Vice-Admiral Francis Hosier. The house has been home to a number of residents over the years including the Rangers of Greenwich Park between 1816 & 1896. Rangers house is now home to the Werhner Collection, over 700 items assembled by the diamond magnate Julius Werhner.

Highlights

Walking Distance  18 Min / 0.8 Miles Visit Website

 Greenwich Pier Location

**Transportation links are based on data from Transport for London, always check their website (tfl.gov.uk) when planning your journey.

Walking times & distances are average times based on data from Google Maps.

We operate daytime cruises from 6 piers on the River Thames & private charters from over 20 piers. Click the link below to view all piers.

**Transportation links are based on data from Transport for London, always check their website (tfl.gov.uk) when planning your journey.

Walking times & distances are average times based on data from Google Maps.

en_GBEnglish (UK)