Messing About In Boats: Things to do on the Thames
The Thames, the lady of London, quietly winding through each of our lives, dividing and defining the capital. But more than a landmark, the river is also a great source of things to do, from paddleboarding to comedy. Here are some ideas…
The Ivy Tower Bridge
What: A Need For Speed
Why: What’s the best way to enjoy the Thames? Hurtling across it of course. The Ivy Tower Bridge has partnered with London’s first ever speedboat tour operator, Thames Rockets, to create an exclusive package. Thrill-seekers will be able to take an exhilarating tour along the River Thames followed by a delicious 3-course meal from The Ivy’s set menu and a deserving G&T. Whether you’re a tourist or a local the ‘Break the Barrier’ speed boat experience is a must do; seriously fun, it’s like being on a watery rollercoaster but with a little educational sight-seeing thrown in.
Available every Friday from 8th June to 31st August
Where: One Tower Bridge, London, SE1 2AA
Website:
www.theivytowerbridge.com
Flash Pack Paddle Boarding
What: Paddle boarding, Beers and Burgers
Why: Going to a bar on a Thursday night is nothing new, if you’ve done it once you’ve done it a thousand times (not literally… hopefully) the same with going to the gym. Adventure lifestyle company Flash Pack, is encouraging us to ditch the normal and switch things up mid-week with paddle boarding. See East London like never before, trying to keep your core stable and remaining upright on board, as you paddle for an hour from Royal Victoria Dock. Bond with your fellow paddlers, before heading to the Good Hotel for burgers and sundowner beers on the roof terrace. Still feel like going to that spin class now?
Paddle boarding takes place on 9th and 24th August 2018
Where: Royal Victoria Dock, East London
Website:
www.flashpack.com
Hot Tugs, West India Quay
What: Floating Hot Tubs
Why: Okay, so not exactly on The Thames, but Hot Tugs have just opened an outpost in Canary Wharf, and that’s basically on The Thames. Hot Tugs are hot tubs that float. The unlikely invention have taken Regents Canal by storm, and now they’ve arrived at Canary Wharf, allowing you and your friends to float about in extreme comfort while navigating your wood-fired hot tub around the nooks and crannies of West India Quay.
Opens in West India Quay on 1st August
Where: Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AE
Website:
www.hottuguk.com
St Katherine’s Docks
What: The Film Festival That Floats
Why: Thames-side St Katherine Dock will be hosting a floating film festival this month. Board a floating platform, sit back and enjoy some classic films from romcom to thriller from the comfort of your beanbag. Films scheduled for the summer event include Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Paddington 2, Dunkirk, The Beach and Back To The Future.
From Monday 16th to Sunday 29th July
Where: St Katherine Docks, Nr Tower of London, E1W 1LA
Website:
www.skdocks.co.uk
The Yacht London
Temple (0.1 miles)
What: The Restaurant That Rocks!
Why: Moored on Victoria Embankment The Yacht London is a restaurant onboard a real life yacht. Gaze at the Houses of Parliament, Millenium Eye (or whatever it’s now called) and munch away while being gently rocked by the wake of passing boats.
Where: The Yacht London, Temple Pier Victoria Embankment, London WC2R 2PN, UK
Website:
www.theyachtlondon.com
The Tattershall Castle
What: Comedy On Water
Why: Get onboard with some of the UK’s best live comedy at the Boat Show Comedy, aboard the Tattershall Castle, a steam boat moored on Victoria Embankment. The floating comedy club showcases some of the funniest comedians, and is a regular warm-up venue for leading comedians as well as a spot to catch up-and-coming acts.
Where: Victoria Embankment, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HR, United Kingdom
Website:
www.boatshowcomedy.co.uk
Emirates Air LIne
What: Dangle Over The Thames
Why: Technically when you’re on a boat you’re not exactly ON The Thames you’re OVER it, so it’s just a matter of height, right? In which case we can totally include the Emirates Airline. The gondola famously goes between banks of the river at two points that nobody really wanted to travel to or from, but who cares because you’re dangling above The Thames! And the view is incredible.
Where: Edmund Halley Way, Greenwich Penninsula, SE10 0FR
Website:
www.emiratesairline.co.uk
Duck Tours
What: What The Duck?
Why: They’re iconic, they’re yellow, they occasionally sink and they look like a lot of fun. The Duck Tours are a familiar sight throughout London using World War II amphibious vehicles to show off London at its very best, from the river.
For the next few months the Duck Tours will only be operating on land while their slipway is used to build the next phase of the Thames Tunnel super sewer
Where: Belvedere Road, Waterloo, SE1 8XU
Website:
www.londonducktours.co.uk