DESKTOP & TABLET WEBSITE
Campion Launches, Established 1985
Campion Launches was founded in 1985 when George Campion purchased the vessel M.V London Belle. Campion Launches operated one of the first sightseeing services to cruise through the Thames Flood Barrier & call at Barrier Gardens Pier. The barrier was still under construction in Woolwich at the time.
In 1985, shortly after purchasing London Belle Campion Launches started operating tours to the Thames Flood Barrier. The cruises departed from Greenwich Pier and travelled downriver to Woolwich to view the Barrier construction site. After passing through the barrier London Belle called at Barrier Gardens Pier on the South Shore to embark and disembark passengers.
We still operate cruises to the Thames Flood Barrier through our sister company, Thames River Services.
By 1989 Campion Launches had started operating a Sunday Evening Cruise from Greenwich Pier. The cruise which departed Greenwich Pier at 7.PM would travel as far upriver as time & tide would allow before returning to Greenwich at 9.PM. The cruise operated every Sunday from May-September & proved incredibly popular with locals & tourists alike.
Sunday Evening Cruise still operates today on-board M.V London Rose.
M.V London Belle
M.V London Belle was built at Rowhedge Ironworks on the River Colne in 1948. London Belle was purchased by George Campion from Kingwood Launches in 1985. During her time with Campion Launches she was used for the daily services between Greenwich & the Barrier, Sunday Evening Cruise & private charters.
The London Belle was captained by George Campion. George was committed to shaping the future of the River Thames and during a time when passenger boats were a very male-dominated industry he chose equality & employed one of the first female mates. Sheila was one of the first female apprentices on the River Thames and worked with George on-board the London Belle for a number of years. London Belle remained in the fleet until 2003, M.V London Rose arrived in 2002 and has operated Sunday Evening Cruise since London Belle’s sale.
MOBILE WEBSITE
Campion Launches, Established 1985
Campion Launches was founded in 1985 when George Campion purchased the vessel M.V London Belle. Campion Launches operated one of the first sightseeing services to cruise through the Thames Flood Barrier & call at Barrier Gardens Pier. The barrier was still under construction in Woolwich at the time.
In 1985, shortly after purchasing London Belle Campion Launches started operating tours to the Thames Flood Barrier. The cruises departed from Greenwich Pier and travelled downriver to Woolwich to view the Barrier construction site. After passing through the barrier London Belle called at Barrier Gardens Pier on the South Shore to embark and disembark passengers.
We still operate cruises to the Thames Flood Barrier through our sister company, Thames River Services.
By 1989 Campion Launches had started operating a Sunday Evening Cruise from Greenwich Pier. The cruise which departed Greenwich Pier at 7.PM would travel as far upriver as time & tide would allow before returning to Greenwich at 9.PM. The cruise operated every Sunday from May-September & proved incredibly popular with locals & tourists alike.
Sunday Evening Cruise still operates today on-board M.V London Rose.
M.V London Belle
M.V London Belle was built at Rowhedge Ironworks on the River Colne in 1948. London Belle was purchased by George Campion from Kingwood Launches in 1985. During her time with Campion Launches she was used for the daily services between Greenwich & the Barrier, Sunday Evening Cruise & private charters.
The London Belle was captained by George Campion. George was committed to shaping the future of the River Thames and during a time when passenger boats were a very male-dominated industry he chose equality & employed one of the first female mates. Sheila was one of the first female apprentices on the River Thames and worked with George on-board the London Belle for a number of years. London Belle remained in the fleet until 2003, M.V London Rose arrived in 2002 and has operated Sunday Evening Cruise since London Belle’s sale.
BREADCRUMBS
SHOWS ON DESKTOP, TABLET & MOBILE WEBSITES.
Viscount Cruises » About Viscount Cruises » Our History (1985-1994)