Cruising along the River Thames is one of the best ways to see London.
The historic waterway offers sublime panoramas and perspectives of some of London’s most famous and historic sights. From Uber boats to Thames Clippers, there are plenty of London river tours to choose from but I recently stepped on board the new Tower of London River Tour and honestly believe that this tour is the best Thames river sightseeing cruise. Here’s why…
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The Tower of London River Tour Experience
The Tower of London River Tour takes place aboard Silver Raven, the UK’s first electric tour boat.
Forget diesel fumes and noisy motors, the Silver Raven glides effortlessly along the Thames. It’s a cleaner, calmer and more enjoyable way to see the city.
The 40-minute live-guided sightseeing tour journeys from Tower Bridge Quay to Westminster and back, passing some of the London’s most famous sights while sharing stories of the city’s history and the Thames’ murky past.
The Tower of London River Tour is the only tour created in collaboration with the Historic Royal Palaces. The departure points sits almost alongside Tower Bridge (you’ll spot it thanks to the tall flags next to two ticket booths), a short walk from the Tower of London itself. So, you can easily pop in to see the Crown Jewels either before or after your river cruise.
You’re asked to arrived 30 minutes before your ticketed departure time and I would definitely recommend that you do arrive early. Although the boat was not full when we travelled, if there is a big crowd and the weather is nice, you’ll want to nab a seat in the outdoor seating area.
Starting from Tower Bridge Quay, the tour sets off sailing beneath the famous bridge and along the river in the direction of the Houses of Parliament.
Along the way you’ll pass around 20 of London’s most famous landmarks including the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Cleopatra’s Needle, and the Tate Modern. After pausing in front of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the boat turns around and heads back towards Tower Bridge.
What makes this London tour stand out, however, is the live commentary. Written by Martha Howe-Douglas, co-creator of BBC’s Ghosts, the live storytelling was so much more than simply facts and dates. Instead, this was a fun and informative look at London’s fascinating history.
Having enjoyed plenty of London tours in my time, I thought I had a fairly good knowledge of the city’s history. But what I really enjoyed about the commentary on board the official Tower of London River Tour was just how tales from London’s history that I hadn’t heard before.
These included the tale of Elizabeth (“Bess”) Throckmorton, wife of Sir Walter Raleigh, who had his head embalmed following his beheading in 1618. Another new-to-me story was that of Father John Gerrard who covertly wrote letters and escape plans while imprisoned in the famous Tower of London using orange juice for invisible ink.
These stories are not only entertaining for adults but had my 11-year-old hooked as well. Plus, the joy of sailing on an electric catamaran is that the commentary was not drowned out by the sound of a diesel engine!
Altogether, the round trip takes 40 minutes. I could have happily stayed on for a bit longer and wonder whether an hour-long cruise would be better. As it stands, however, you can easily include this river tour as part of a larger London itinerary.
The Silver Raven
The 39-metre Silver Raven catamaran was purpose-built for London. Designed by the Woods family in collaboration with leading naval architects, the boat has been created to glide effortlessly along the river.
The Woods family have a long association with the Thames, having been Watermen on the River Thames for five generations – watermen were once responsible for rowing passengers safely across the river.
It’s the only electric tour boat in the UK and, just like an electric car, is far quieter than a petrol or diesel one. Not to mention far more sustainable. It was built by superyacht specialists Pendennis Shipyard and is powered by a 720kw batter banks that has been designed for rapid charging between tours. It’s an exciting development and hopefully signals the future of river tourism.
On board, the boat is equally comfortable with an enclosed glass design to shield you from the UK’s unpredictable and often inclement weather without disrupting the panoramic views.
The interiors were designed by Kate Woods and pay homage to the city’s river heritage with bespoke House of Hackney Axminster carpet woven in Devon, eco-leather seating crafted in Scotland and a bar made from hammered English pewter that reflects the light much like ripples on water.
The bar is a nice touch and next time I set sail I will opt for an afternoon time slot when I can order a glass of Nyetimber English sparkling wine to enjoy. Sadly, 10.30am seemed a little too early for bubbles!
The other thing that I really appreciated about the Silver Raven is just how accessible it is. Tower Bridge Quay has step-free access from St Katharine’s Way (tides depending) and a complimentary ticket is available for anyone needing a carer. Plans are in place to ensure that regular BSL-interpreted and relaxed tours are available and gusts can request a printout of the tour script.
Why you should book the Tower of London River Tour
If you’re are looking for a fun and informative sightseeing experience that not only shows you the sights but also explores 1,000 years of history then the Tower of London River Tour is a great option.
The electric design means that it’s a quieter and more peaceful Thames river cruise.
It’s a beautiful boat with plenty of seating and uninterrupted views from all angles. I also love the British design and the fact that everything was made in the UK.
It’s weather proof so while it’s always more enjoyable to see London’s sights on a sunny day, the British weather means that sunshine is never guaranteed.
At 40 minutes long, it’s easy to add to a London day out. I recommend doing this as the first or last stop on your itinerary (preferably last so you can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine!).
With tickets starting from £18.50 for adults and from £14.50 for children, this is an affordable way to get a unique perspective on London.
How to book the Tower of London River Tour
Timings: Tours run every hour from 9:45 or 10:45 depending on the day and it’s best to book your tickets in advance.
Departure point: Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine’s Way, London
Tour duration: 40 minutes
Route: The Silver Raven runs in a circular route from Tower Bridge Quay to Westminster and back.
Ticket prices: Tickets start from £18.50 for adults and £14.50 for children. You can also book a Tower + River combined ticket which start from £55.50 per adult. You can book tickets here.
