Why Westminster to Greenwich
Of all the sections of the Thames Clippers network, the stretch from Westminster Pier to Greenwich offers the densest concentration of landmarks visible from the water. This is the classic Thames journey, the one that appears on postcards and in films, and it packs an extraordinary amount of London into a half-hour boat ride.
You board at Westminster Pier, directly beneath the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. As the boat pulls away from the pier, the Palace of Westminster fills the view behind you while the London Eye rises on the south bank to your left. Within the first few minutes of the journey you have already passed two of London's most photographed landmarks.
What You Will See
Heading downstream, the south bank presents a continuous sequence of notable buildings. The Royal Festival Hall and the rest of the Southbank Centre pass on your left, followed by the Oxo Tower and its distinctive illuminated signage. The Tate Modern, housed in the former Bankside Power Station, is immediately recognisable by its tall central chimney, and next to it the wooden O of Shakespeare's Globe sits close to the waterline.
On the north bank, the skyline of the City of London builds steadily. The dome of St Paul's Cathedral appears behind the riverside buildings, and as you approach the City the modern towers of the financial district create a dramatic wall of glass and steel.
The highlight for many passengers is passing under Tower Bridge. The boat slows slightly as it approaches, giving you time to appreciate the bridge's Gothic towers and the walkways connecting them high above. The Tower of London sits on the north bank immediately to your left, its pale stone walls and Norman keep visible from the water.
Beyond Tower Bridge, the river opens out and the landscape changes character. The former docklands of Rotherhithe and Wapping give way to the towers of Canary Wharf, and the boat crosses the wide bend in the river known as the Isle of Dogs. If you are interested in comparing this with a traditional sightseeing cruise, this stretch is where the difference in speed becomes most apparent.
Arriving at Greenwich
The boat docks at Greenwich Pier, directly in front of the Old Royal Naval College, one of the finest baroque building complexes in Britain. The Painted Hall, sometimes called the Sistine Chapel of the UK, is a short walk from the pier. Behind the Naval College, Greenwich Park rises steeply to the Royal Observatory, where the Prime Meridian line marks zero degrees longitude.
Greenwich itself is worth exploring. The Cutty Sark, the last surviving tea clipper, sits in a dry dock next to the pier. The covered market, the National Maritime Museum, and the narrow streets of the town centre are all within easy walking distance.
Tips for the Best Experience
Sit on the rear outdoor deck if the weather allows. The back of the boat gives you unobstructed views in the direction you have come from, which means you see each landmark recede rather than approach, but the sightlines are far better than from inside. The right-hand side of the boat (starboard) tends to have the best views of the south bank landmarks on this route.
Travelling east-bound in the afternoon puts the sun behind you, lighting up the landmarks ahead. Morning journeys work well too, particularly on clear days when the City's glass towers catch the early light. Avoid the peak commuter hours if you want space on deck, as the boats can be standing-room only between about 7:30 and 9:00 in the morning.
