A trip down the Thames is a lovely way to see many of the attractions close to the river. There are many places where you can catch a boat along the river.

For a full tour of what can be seen from a boat trip on the river, visit our River Thames pages, clicking on the right arrow on each page.

Places you will see on the river from Westminster to Grenwich include:

The Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament is also known as the Palace of Westminster and was a Royal residence until Henry Vlll's reign.

The London Eye

London Eye

The world's highest observation wheel (a type of Ferris wheel).

Royal Air Force Memorial

Royal Air Force Memorial
A golden eagle looking eastwards towards Japan.

The memorial commemorates those men who died in the First World War who served in the Royal Air Force.

The Royal Festival Hall

The Royal Festival Hall

The Royal Festival Hall was built in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain. It is one of the world's most successful and best loved concert halls.

Cleopatra's Needle

Cleopatra's Needle

Cleopatra's Needle is a nickname for the ancient Egyptian granite obelisk on the banks of the River Thames near Westminster Bridge. It was a gift to the British people, in 1819 in recognition of Nelson's victory over the French fleet, at the Battle of the Nile in 1798.

Somerset House

The present building stands on the site of s 16th century palace, and was built from 1776 -1801 by William Chambers for government offices.

The dome of St Pauls' Cathedral

The dome of St Pauls' Cathedral

Tate Modern Gallery

Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, Tate Modern displays the Tate collection of international modern art from 1900 to the present day, including major works by Picasso, Matisse and Warhol as well as work by other artists.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

The present Globe Theatre is a careful reconstruction of the original theatre of that name in and for which William Shakespeare wrote many of his plays.

Golden Hinde

A living history museum and reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's ship.
Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world in the Golden Hinde between 1577 and 1580.

Monument to the Great fire of 1666

At 202 feet, it is the tallest freestanding stone column in the world. 202 feet is also the distance to the suspected source of the fire that destroyed the city.

HMS Belfast

The ship is permanently moored as floating museum on the South side of
the River Thames opposite the Tower of London.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the most recognised bridges in the world. Before it was built the only bridge in London was London Bridge.

Tower of London

Click here to find out more about the Tower of London

City Hall

City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority which comprises the Mayor of London and London Assembly

Follow this link to see more photos
from Tower Bridge to Greenwich

Buildings and landmarks of London

Back to London Index