Embankment Pier

Transport for London River Services Logo Daytime Cruises from Embankment 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 five piers on the River Thames including Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside 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).

Passengers can embark at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier 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 & 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 & 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)
Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)

Cruises Calling at Embankment Pier

About Embankment Pier

Embankment Pier is located on the North shore of the River Thames next to Charing Cross Railway Bridge and Embankment Station.

Embankment Pier is just a short walk from Westminster Pier, Villiers Street, the Strand and a number of famous landmarks.

Landmarks near Embankment Pier include Cleopatra’s Needle, the Savoy Hotel, Somerset House & the New Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament).

Private Charters from Embankment 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.

Corporate & Private Hire from Embankment Pier
Catering & Dining Options

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.

Wedding Hire from Embankment Pier
Christmas Charters from Embankment Pier

Near Embankment Pier

Cleopatra's Needle, Victoria Embankment, City of Westminster

About Cleopatra’s Needle

Cleopatra’s Needle was erected in Heliopolis around 1450 BC. The needle was already over 1,300 years old when Cleopatra became Queen. The needle was presented to the United Kingdom in 1818 to commemorate British military victories at the Battle of the Nile & Battle of Alexandria but it was not moved to London until 1877.
Walking Distance  2 Min / 495 Feet
Benjamin Franklin House, City of Westminster

About Benjamin Franklin House

36 Craven Street is the only remaining home of the Benjamin Franklin, a famous scientist, diplomat & Founding Father of the United States. The house itself dates from around 1730 & is an authentic representation Benjamin Franklin’s time in London. Tours of Benjamin Franklin House are available for the public & there is also a small shop & toilet facilities onsite.

Highlights

  • Tour the only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin & the first de facto United States Embassy.
  • Purchase souvenirs & gifts at the Benjamin Franklin House Shop.
Walking Distance  4 Min / 0.2 Miles
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Whitehall, City of WestminsterThe Cenotaph, Whitehall, City of Westminster

About Whitehall

Walking Distance  6 Min / 0.3 Miles
Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre, London Borough of Lambeth

About Royal Festival Hall

Royal Festival Hall is the last remaining building from the 1951 Festival of Great Britain. The hall can seat 2,500 guests & is situated in the Southbank Centre, the largest arts centre in the United Kingdom. Over 5,000 events are held at the Southbank Centre each year including exhibitions, festivals & performances by some of the worlds most famous artists.

Walking Distance  6 Min / 0.3 Miles (Via Golden Jubilee Footbridges)
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The Savoy Hotel, City of Westminster

About the Savoy Hotel

The Savoy Hotel was built by Richard D’Oyly Carte & opened in 1889. The Savoy proved popular with tourists & was the first hotel in Britain to utilise electric lifts & be lit entirely by electric lighting. The Savoy boasts numerous bars & restaurants & is adjacent to the Savoy Theatre.

Walking Distance  7 Min / 0.3 Miles
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The Banqueting House, Whitehall, City of WestminsterRubens Ceiling, The Banqueting House, Whitehall, City of Westminster

About the Banqueting House

The Banqueting House is the last remaining building from Whitehall Palace, home to a magnificent ceiling painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens & the execution site of King Charles I. The building was designed by Inigo Jones in the Palladian style for King James I & was completed in 1622.

Highlights

  • One of the last remaining buildings from Henry VIII’s Whitehall Palace.
  • The execution site of King Charles I.
  • Peter Paul Rubens magnificent ceiling murals.
Walking Distance  7 Min / 0.3 Miles
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Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster

About Trafalgar Square

Walking Distance  7 Min / 0.3 Miles
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster

About the National Gallery

The National Gallery was founded in 1824 & opened to the public on the 10th May of the same year. As the collection grew the gallery moved from a small building at 100 Pall Mall to the present building, a purpose built structure designed by William Wilkins. Both The National Gallery’s building & collection has grown over the years, Sir James Pennethorne, Sir Charles Barry & Sir John Taylor have all extended the building & over 2,600 paintings are now housed within the collection. Today the National Gallery is free to visit & they organise a range of exhibitions & events showcases works from the collection. The gallery also has a number of giftshops, a dining room & cafés.

Walking Distance  8 Min / 0.4 Miles
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The London Eye, Waterloo, London Borough of Lambeth

About the London Eye

At 135 metres tall the London Eye is the worlds largest cantilevered observation wheel. The London Eye was designed by Marks Barfield Architects & launched in 2000 as a temporary attraction. The London Eye has quickly become one of the most popular paid attractions in the world carrying over 3.5 million visitors each year. On a clear day visibility is up to 40km allowing views of Windsor Castle & the Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford.

Highlights

  • See London from a unique perspective.
Walking Distance  8 Min / 0.4 Mile (Via Golden Jubilee Footbridges)
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The Household Cavalry Museum, Whitehall, City of Westminster

About the Household Cavalry Museum

Walking Distance  8 Min / 0.4 Miles
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National Portrait Gallery, City of Westminster

About the National Portrait Gallery

Walking Distance  9 Min / 0.4 Miles
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Somerset House, City of Westminster

About Somerset House

Somerset House was designed by William Chambers & completed 1801. The house has been home to the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Society, the General Register Office & the Inland Revenue. Today Somerset House is open to the public and regularly hosts concerts & other public events.

Walking Distance  9 Min / 0.4 Miles
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Somerset House, City of Westminster

About the Royal National Theatre

The Royal National Theatre was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. Three individual theatres occupy the site & over 20 different performances are shown each year. The Olivier Theatre is the largest theatre & seats 1,100 guests.  The Olivier Theatre takes its name from the National Theatre’s first artistic director, Sir. Laurence Olivier.

Walking Distance  9 Min / 0.4 Miles (Via Golden Jubilee Footbridges)
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St. James Park, City of Westminster

About St. James Park

St. James Park is London’s oldest royal park & is surrounded by three royal palaces, the Palace of Westminster, St. James Palace & Buckingham Palace. In 1536 the royal court was based at the Palace of Westminster & King Henry VIII purchased land at St. James to build St. James Palace & a new deer park. After his accession to the throne in 1603 James I had the park drained, landscaped & filled with exotic animals including camels, crocodiles, birds & an elephant.

St. James Park underwent further alterations when Charles II opened it to the public & had it re-landscaped in a more formal style with a large canal. St. James Park saw another makeover in the 1820’s when the Prince Regent (later to become George IV) commissioned the architect & landscaper John Nash to give the park a more natural look. The canal was shaped into a lake & an iron bridge was built offering excellent views across the lake. The current bridge (The Blue Bridge) was built in 1957 & is the third bridge to span St. James Park Lake.

Highlights

  • Take in the view of Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade & the London Eye from the Blue Bridge.
  • Learn more about the park on a walking tour (available on select dates).
  • See the parks resident pelicans at feeding time.
  • Refreshments available at St. James Café.
Walking Distance  10 Min / 0.5 Miles
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County Hall, Waterloo, London Borough of Lambeth

About County Hall

County Hall was designed by the architect Ralph Knott & opened by King George V in 1922. The building served as the headquarters for the London County Council & then the Greater London Council. Today County Hall is home to the Sea Life London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Namco Arcade, hotels, restaurants, private apartments & conference & event spaces.

Highlights

  • Sea Life London Aquarium
  • The London Dungeon
  • Shrek’s Adventure!
  • Namco Funscape Arcade
  • Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution (performed in the County Hall Court Room)
Walking Distance  10 Min / 0.5 Miles (Via Golden Jubilee Footbridges)
HQS Wellington, Victoria Embankment, City of Westminster

About HQS Wellington

HQS Wellington is a Grimsby Class Sloop launched in 1934. She escorted convoys in the North Atlantic throughout the Second World War. She is now permanently moored on Victoria Embankment and is the livery hall of the Honorable Company of Master Mariners.

Walking Distance  11 Min / 0.6 Miles
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New Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament)St. Stephens Hall, New Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament)

About the New Palace of Westminster

Known as the ‘Houses of Parliament’, the new palace was built between 1840-1870 after the original palace was damaged during a fire. The palace is the home of UK Parliament & the iconic Elizabeth Tower (known as Big Ben).

Highlights

  • Guided tours available in multiple languages.
  • Self-guided tours with a multimedia guide.
  • Tours with afternoon tea overlooking the River Thames.
  • Special exhibitions in Westminster Hall.
  • Special talks & guided tours.
  • Refreshments available in the Jubilee cafe.
Walking Distance  13 Min / 0.6 Miles
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St Margaret's Church, City of Westminster

About St. Margaret’s Church

  • Refreshments are available at Westminster Abbey’s Cellarium Café.
  • Purchase souvenirs & gifts at the Westminster Abbey Shop.
Walking Distance  13 Min / 0.7 Miles
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Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, City of Westminster

About the Royal Courts of Justice

Walking Distance  14 Min / 0.6 Miles

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Westminster Abbey, City of Westminster

About Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey was built by King Edward (later to become St. Edward the Confessor) on the site of a Benedictine Monastery on Thorn Ey (Thorn Island) in Westminster. King Edward’s Abbey was consecrated on the 28th December 1065 however Edward was unable to attend the consecration due to illness, he died just days later sparking a succession crisis which intimately led to the Norman Conquest of England. William the Conqueror was coronated King William I on Christmas Day in 1066 & every coronation has taken place at Westminster Abbey since.

King Edward’s abbey stood for over two centuries until King Henry III started to rebuild the abbey in a Gothic style. Henry’s abbey was consecrated on the 13th October 1269 & still stands today. Westminster Abbey is the resting place of 17 monarchs & a number of poets, musicians, scientists and politicians.

Highlights

  • Explore King Henry VII’s Lady Chapel.
  • Visit the Queens Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
  • Visit the college garden (open on select days each week).
  • Refreshments are available at the Cellarium Café.
  • Purchase souvenirs & gifts at the Westminster Abbey Shop.
Walking Distance  14 Min / 0.7 Miles
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The Jewel Tower, City of Westminster

About the Jewel Tower

The Jewel Tower is one of the last remaining structures from the Medieval Palace of Westminster. The Tower was built by Henry Yevele between 1365-1366 for King Edward III & originally served as a store for precious items including silver plate. After much of the medieval palace was destroyed by a fire in 1834 the Jewel Tower became a records office for the House of Lords. In 1869 it became a testing office for the Board of Trade Standards Department (More commonly known as Weights and Measures).

Highlights

  • One of the last remaining buildings from the Medieval Palace of Westminster.
  • Light refreshments available at the Jewel Tower Cafe.
Walking Distance  14 Min / 0.7 Miles
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The Supreme Court, Middlesex Guildhall, Parliament Square

About The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court was formally established on the 1st October 2009 & is the highest court in the United Kingdom. The court hears appeals for civil cases in the United Kingdom & criminal cases in England, Wales & Northern Ireland. The Supreme Court sits in the Middlesex Guildhall, an art nouveau gothic style building designed by J. S Gibson & completed in 1913.

Highlights

  • Guided tours led by a member of the court staff.
  • Permanent & temporary exhibitions on the lower ground floor.
  • Refreshments available at the Supreme Court Café.
  • Purchase souvenirs & gifts from the Supreme Court Shop.
Walking Distance  14 Min / 0.7 Miles
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OXO Tower Wharf, South Bank, London Borough of Southwark

About OXO Tower Wharf

Stamford Wharf started its life as a power station before being converted into a cold store for the manufacturers of the OXO Beef Cube. Today “OXO Tower Wharf” is home to over 30 design studios, specialist shops & restaurants.
Walking Distance  15 Min / 0.8 Miles
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Florence Nightingale Museum, St. Thomas Hospital, Waterloo, London Borough of Lambeth

About the Florence Nightingale Museum

  • Learn about Florence Nightingale’s life & achievements.
  • Highlight Tours of the museums collections.
  • Walking tours following in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale.
  • Souvenirs available in the museum shop.
Walking Distance  16 Min / 0.8 Miles (Via Westminster Bridge)
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Sir John Soane's Museum, Holborn, London Borough of Camden

About Sir John Soane’s Museum

Sir John Soane’s Museum is situated in the Grade I listed home of the Regency architect Sir John Soane. Soane commissioned numerous buildings throughout his career including country homes, the Bank of England & Dulwich Picture Gallery. During his lifetime Soane amassed a vast collection of items including books,  manuscripts, paintings, models, sculptures & the alabaster sarcophagus of Seti I. Soane obtained an Act of Parliament bequeathing his home to the British Public. Today Sir John Soane’s Museum is free to visit & remains mostly unchanged since his death in 1837. Tours & trails are are available at the museum to guide visitors through the rooms & collections that have been curated by Sir John Soane himself.

Walking Distance  19 Min / 0.9 Miles
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Dr Johnson's House, Holborn, London Borough of Camden

About Dr Johnson’s House

Walking Distance  19 Min / 1 Mile
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Spencer House, St. James's, City of Westminster

About Spencer House

Walking Distance  21 Min / 1 Mile
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The British Museum, Bloomsbury, London Borough of Camden

About the British Museum

The British Museum was created by an act of Parliament in 1753 & opened to the public in 1759. The museum combined the collections of Sir Hans Sloane with the Cotton, Harley & Royal Libraries creating a vast collection of historic & scientific objects. The museum is housed in a collection of buildings entered through a magnificent Greek revival building designed by Sir Robert Smirke. Today The British Museum is free to visit & is home to more than 60 free galleries where you can enjoy tours, talks & family activities. You’ll also find a range of shops & five restaurants at the museum.

Highlights

  • The British Museum is free to visit although some special exhibitions may charge an entrance fee.
  • More than 60 free galleries to explore.
  • A range of tours, talks & family activities.
  • Special out of hours & member events.
  • A number of shops & five restaurants.
Walking Distance  23 Min / 1 Mile
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 Embankment 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.

Thames River Sightseeing operate daily cruises from Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier

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.

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