Viscount Cruises Logo

River Cruises with Thames River Sightseeing

Westminster Pier

Westminster Pier is located on the North shore of the River Thames in the City of Westminster. The pier is a short walk from the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), Westminster Abbey & St. Margaret’s Church (A UNESCO World Heritage Site). Numerous museums & landmarks are within walking distance of Westminster Pier including the Banqueting House, Household Cavalry Museum, the National Gallery & the London Eye.

Landmarks Between Westminster Pier & Embankment Pier / Festival Pier

Westminster Bridge & the London Eye

About Westminster Bridge

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.
Visit Website
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)

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.

Visit Website

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.

Festival Pier

Festival Pier is located on the south shore of the River Thames next to Royal Festival Hall in the heart of the Soutbank Centre. The National Theatre, London Eye, OXO Tower Wharf, & County Hall (Home to the London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure and more) are only a few minutes from Festival Pier. Festival Pier is popular with corporate & private charters, our daytime sightseeing cruises with Thames River Sightseeing also call at Festival Pier.

Landmarks Between Embankment Pier / Festival Pier & Bankside Pier

Royal National Theatre, South Bank Centre, South Bank, London Borough of Lambeth

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.

Visit Website
Waterloo Bridge, Kings Reach

About Waterloo Bridge

Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre, South Bank, 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.

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.

Visit Website
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.
The Yacht at Temple Pier (M.V St. Katharine)

About the Yacht at Temple Pier

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.

Visit Website
Temple Stairs Arch, Victoria Embankment

About Temple Stairs Arch

OXO Tower Wharf (Stamford Wharf), Southbank

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.
Visit Website
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.

Visit Website
Sion Hall (Sion College & Library), Victoria Embankment

About Sion Hall

Sion Hall.

Former City of London School, 60 Victoria Embankment

About the Former City of London School

Former City of London School.

Blackfriars Road Bridge, Upper Pool

About Blackfriars Road Bridge

Blackfriars Railway Bridges, Upper Pool

About Blackfriars Railway Bridges

St. Paul's Cathedral, Ludgate Hill, City of London

About St. Paul’s Cathedral

There have been several cathedrals on the site on St. Pauls dating from as early as 604 AD. The most notable of these was the cathedral built by the Normans between 1087 & 1240. The Norman St. Pauls was the largest building in Medieval England, it lasted for almost 600 years surviving the Reformation & the English Civil War. In August 1666 Christopher Wren finalised plans to restore the cathedral although little more than a week later St Pauls was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Construction of the new cathedral commenced in 1675 & lasted for 33 years. The new cathedral was consecrated on the 2nd December 1667 & still stands today. St. Pauls is open for prayer seven days a week, sightseers can visit the cathedral from Monday – Saturday.

Visit Website
Tate Modern, Bankside, South Bank

About the Tate Modern

The Bankside Power Station was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott & constructed in two stages between 1947 & 1963. The power station closed in 1981 & is now home to one of the largest museums of modern & contemporary art in the world, the Tate Modern.
Visit Website
Millennium Footbridge

About the Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge links Bankside on the South Shore to the City of London on the North. The bridge opened in June 2000 & gained its nickname the “Wobbly Bridge” after an unexpected swaying motion caused it to close. After almost two years of modification the bridge re-opened.

Shakespeare's Globe, Bankside, South Bank, London Borough of Southwark

About Shakespeare’s Globe

The Globe Theatre at Bankside is an authentic replica of a 16th century theatre. Shakespearean plays are regularly performed & guided tours of the theatre are also available. The Swan bar & restaurant at the Globe serves breakfast, lunch, dinner & a “Midsummer Nights Dream Afternoon Tea” inspired by the Characters of Shakespeare’s plays.

Visit Website

Bankside Pier

Bankside Pier is located on the south shore of the River Thames next to the Millennium Bridge within the London Borough of Southwark. Bankside stretches from Blackfriars Railway Bridge to the edge of London Bridge City & is one of London’s newer tourist hot spots. Bankside & the surrounding area is home to a variety of historical & contemporary attractions including Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, the Clink Prison Museum, Golden Hinde II, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, Bankside Gallery & the Millennium Bridge. Bankside is also home to numerous riverside restaurants, pubs, bars & is just a short walk from London Bridge City, the City of London & the South Bank.

Landmarks Between Bankside Pier & St. Katharine Pier

Southwark Bridge, Upper Pool

About Southwark Bridge

Cannon Street Station, City of London

About Cannon Street Station

Cannon Street Railway Bridge, Upper Pool

About Cannon Street Railway Bridge

The Cannon Street Railway Bridge was designed by Sir John Hawkshaw for the South Eastern Railway. The bridge was completed 1866 at a cost of £193,000.

Golden Hine II, St. Mary Overie Dock, Bankside, South Bank, London Borough of Southwark

About Golden Hinde II

The Shard, London Borough of Southwark

About the Shard

Fishmongers Hall, City of London

About Fishmongers Hall

London Bridge, Upper Pool

About London Bridge

There has been a bridge across the River Thames on the site of London Bridge since Roman Britain. The current bridge is the fifth bridge to stand on this site and was opened by the Queen in 1973.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, City of London

About the Monument to the Great Fire of London

The Monument to the Great Fire of London was designed by Christopher Wren & Robert Hooke. The Monument stands 202 feet tall & is located exactly 202 feet from the bakery of Thomas Farriner where the Great Fire of London started in 1666.

20 Fenchurch Street, City of London

About 20 Fenchurch Street (The Walkie Talkie)

20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed The Walkie Talkie was designed by Rafael Viñoly & completed in 2014. The top floors of 20 Fenchurch Street are home to the Sky Garden, an award winning garden landscape with restaurants, bars & a viewing area.

Hays Galleria, London Bridge City, London Borough of Southwark

About Hays Galleria

Former Billingsgate Fish Market, City of London

About the Former Billingsgate Fish Market

The Old Billingsgate Fish Market was designed by Horace Jones (who also designed Leadenhall Market and worked with John Wolf Barry to design Tower Bridge).

The market was completed in 1875 and was open until it moved to larger premises in Docklands in 1982. The old market building was refurbished by Richard Roger’s and is now an events venue.

George Orwell, the Kray Twins and Michael Caine were just a few famous Londoners who worked at Old Billingsgate at one time or another.

Waterguard House, City of London

About Waterguard House

HMS Belfast 1938 (C35), Upper Pool

About HMS Belfast

City Hall, London Borough of Southwark

About City Hall

 

Tower of London, Tower Hamlets

About the Tower of London

The Tower of London takes its name from the White Tower which was constructed in around 1078 by William the Conqueror. Over the last 900 years the Tower of London has served a number of uses including a fortress, armoury, royal palace, royal mint, treasury, menagerie, prison & more recently the home to the crown jewels. The Tower is guarded by the Yeoman Warders who were formed by King Henry VII in 1485.

Tower Bridge

About Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world & was designed by Sir John Wolfe Barry & Horace Jones. The bridge opened in 1894 & the centre span is split into two bascules which open to allow ships to pass through to the Upper Pool.

St. Katharine Pier

Tower Bridge Quay (formerly St. Katharine Pier) is located on the North shore of the River Thames at St. Katharine Dock, a short walk from the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Tower of London. The dock opened in 1828 & was once popular with expensive cargo’s from around the world including ivory, shells, sugar, marble, wines, fragrant spices & perfumes. Today St. Katharine’s is a haven for yachts & historic vessels including traditional Thames sailing barges. A wide range of cafes, bars & restaurants are located at St. Katharine’s & regular food markets also take place throughout the week.

Landmarks Between St. Katharine Pier & Greenwich Pier

Butlers Wharf, Shad Thames, Bermondsey

About Butlers Wharf

 

St. Katharine Dock, Tower Hamlets

About St. Katharine Dock

St. Katharine Dock was constructed by Thomas Telford & opened in 1828. The docks became popular with expensive cargo’s from around the world including ivory, shells, sugar, marble, wines, fragrant spices & perfumes. Today St. Katharine’s is a haven for yachts & historic vessels including traditional Thames sailing barges. A wide range of cafes, bars & restaurants are located at St. Katharine’s & regular food markets also take place throughout the week.

The Mayflower, Rotherhithe

About the Mayflower

The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping

About the Prospect of Whitby

There has been a pub on this site since 1520 making the Prospect of Whitby London’s oldest riverside pub. The original pub was called The Pelican but was locally known as the Devil’s Tavern because it was popular with pirates & thieves.

The Narrow, Limehouse

About the Narrow

 

Limehouse Dock, Limehouse

About Limehouse Dock

The Grapes, Limehouse

About the Grapes

 

Canary Wharf, Docklands

About Canary Wharf

Tea Clipper Cutty 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.

Royal Observatory Greenwich, Greenwich Park, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the Royal Observatory

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.

Old 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.

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.

Landmarks Between Greenwich Pier & the Thames Barrier

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.
Trinity Hospital, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About Trinity Hospital

The first Trinity Hospital was built in 1613 by the Earl of Northhampton, Henry Howard. The current building dates from 1812, is home to 41 sheltered apartments & is supported by the Worshipful Company of Mercers.

Optic Cloak by Conrad Shawcross, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the Optic Cloak

The Optic Cloak, by Conrad Shawcross

Isle of Dogs Pumping Station (Temple of Storms), Isle of Dogs

About the Isle of Dogs Pumping Station

West India Dock Entrance, Isle of Dogs

About West India Dock

A Slice of Reality by Richard Wilson, North Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About A Slice of Reality

A Slice of Reality, by Richard Wilson

Virginia Quay Settlers Monument, Brunswick Wharf

About the Virginia Quay Settlers Monument

Trinity Buoy Wharf, Poplar

About Trinity Buoy Wharf

The O2, North Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the O2

The O2 (designed by Richard Rogers) was originally constructed in 2000 for the Millennium Experience and was called the Millennium Dome. After the Millennium Experience ended the dome was developed into a sports & entertainment complex by Anschutz Entertainment Group. The dome was sponsored by o2 & is now home to over 30 bars & restaurants, a bowling alley, cinema, ICON Outlet shopping complex and the O2 arena.

Quantum Cloud by Antony Gormley, North Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About Quantum Cloud

North Greenwich Cable Car, Royal Borough of Greenwich

About the North Greenwich Cable Car

The Emirates Airline Cable Car is the first urban cable car in the United Kingdom & was designed by Wilkinson Eyre. The cable car was completed in 2012 at a cost of £60 million. The cable car travels between Greenwich Peninsula on the South of the River Thames & the Royal Docks on the North with a capacity of 2,500 passengers in each direction every hour.

Thames Barrier, Woolwich ReachThames Barrier, Woolwich Reach

About the Thames Barrier

The Thames Flood Barrier is one of the largest movable flood defences in the world. Since its completion in 1986 the barrier has been closed 182 times (accurate as of February 2018). 95 of these closures were to protect against tidal flooding & 87 closures were to protect against tidal/fluvial flooding.

Thames Refinery, Tate & Lyle Sugar, Silvertown

About Thames Refinery (Tate & Lyle Sugar)

Tate & Lyle’s Thames Refinery is the largest sugar refinery in Europe & one of the largest in the world. The refinery was built in 1878 & produces over 500,000 tonnes of sugar every year.

Please note our sailing times can vary due to the weather, tides & traffic on the River.

Please note our sailing times can vary due to the weather, tides & traffic on the River.

en_GBEnglish (UK)