Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)
Daytime Cruises from Greenwich Pier
Thames River Sightseeing
A visit to London isn’t complete without a cruise on the River Thames. Thames River Sightseeing operate regular services from five piers on the River Thames including Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier. Thames River Sightseeing cruise 361 days a year & operate a fleet of all-weather vessels with spacious open decks perfect for the summer months & heated saloons with panoramic windows for the colder months. The vessels range from more traditional River Thames passenger boats (London Rose) to more modern vessels purposefully built for the River Thames (Thomas Doggett).
Passengers can embark at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier or Greenwich & take advantage of a range of ticketing options. Single tickets are suited for day trippers or passengers travelling in or out of London & return tickets allow passengers to disembark & explore before joining a return sailing later the same day. A 2 Day River Pass is the perfect option for anyone visiting London over multiple days. A River Pass allows unlimited travel on our services for just £21.00 per adult, a family River Pass is just £42.00 (for 2 Adults + 3 Children).
Thames River Sightseeing also offer excellent group rates & discounts which are perfect for families, tour companies or travel trade. Toilet facilities & a Multilingual Audio Guide are available on all sailings. The Multilingual Audio Guide is an informative commentary available through our onboard Wi-Fi in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Mandarin (Smart device & headphones are not provided, Read More).
Why Choose Thames River Sightseeing
- Modern & traditional sightseeing boats with open decks, heated saloons & toilet facilities.
- Regular departures: Currently every 40 minutes.
- Onboard Café Bars are open on Saturdays & Sundays serving hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks & light snacks. Some sailings between Monday & Friday may also have refreshments available. (Read More)
- Scenic cruises between Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier passing more than 44 London landmarks.
- Wi-Fi Audio Guide available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German & Mandarin. (Smart device & headphones are not provided, Read More)
Thames River Sightseeing Routes
We are currently operating 7-days a week calling at Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier.
Piers on our Routes
Westminster Pier (Houses of Parliament)
Embankment Pier (Charing Cross, Villiers Street & Strand)
Festival Pier (Royal Festival Hall & South Bank Centre)
Bankside Pier (Globe Theatre & Tate Modern)
Greenwich Pier (Cutty Sark)
About Greenwich Pier
Greenwich Pier is located on the South shore of the River Thames in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pier sits between the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark & Sir Christopher Wren’s Riverside Masterpiece, the Old Royal Naval College. Today the Royal Borough of Greenwich is an eclectic mix of historical & modern buildings. Greenwich town centre is home to a collection of museums, pubs, restaurants, markets & shops.
A few of Greenwich’s historic buildings include the Queens House (designed by Inigo Jones & the first classical building in England) to the Royal Observatory (Sir Christopher Wren) or St. Alfege Church (Nicolas Hawksmoor).
Transportation Links*
Bus Services
Docklands Light Railway
National Rail
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Private Charters from Greenwich Pier
Our versatile party boats are a popular choice for corporate & private events on the River Thames. Large open decks, heated saloons & fully licensed bars are just a few of the facilities to be found on-board.
We can provide a wide range of catering & dining options, perfectly paired with our extensive wine menu. Our entertainment options & decorations can also make your event truly unique.
Near Greenwich Pier
Cutty Sark
About Cutty Sark
Visit the last remaining tea clipper, Cutty Sark. Originally built at Dumbarton, Scotland in 1869 she spent her working life transporting cargo including tea from China and wool from Australia. She has now been fully restored and is an award winning visitor attraction.
Highlights
- Self-guided tours with an audio guide available through Smartify.
- View the largest collection of Merchant Navy Figureheads in the world.
- Enjoy views from Cutty Sark’s deck overlooking Greenwich, the River Thames & the London skyline.
- Refreshments available in the Cutty Sark café.
Old Royal Naval College
About the Old Royal Naval College
The Old Royal Naval College is Sir Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece, built in the 17th Century as the Royal Hospital for Seamen on the site of the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Old Royal Naval College boasts beautiful surroundings & some of the most magnificent interiors in London. The Painted Hall in King William Court is home to the largest painted ceiling in Europe, a Baroque masterpiece by Sir James Thornhill depicting over 300 years of English aristocracy & British Naval Power. The Chapel of St Peter & St Paul in Queen Mary Court has a beautiful interior designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stewart. Visitors to the Old Royal Naval College can enjoy tours of the Painted Hall & the grounds & visit the cafe & gift shop located in King William Court.
Highlights
- Take a self guided tour of the Old Royal Naval College Grounds.
- Visit the Painted Hall & marvel at the largest painted ceiling in Europe.
- Take a guided tour of the grounds & the Painted Hall.
- Visit the Old Royal Naval College Chapel designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart.
- Explore the Ripley Tunnel & visit the Victorian Skittle Alley & bowl using practice cannon balls.
- Buy souvenirs & gifts at the Painted Hall Shop or the Greenwich Visitor Centre shop.
- Refreshments available in the Painted Hall Café in the beautifully restored undercroft.
- Visit The Old Brewery, a Young’s Gastropub located within the Old Royal Naval College grounds.
- Regular markets, events & exhibitions around the site.
Greenwich Market
About Greenwich Market
Highlights
- Browse arts & crafts, antiques & souvenirs at the various market stalls.
- Try street food from around the world at the Greenwich Market food area.
National Maritime Museum
About the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to maritime and naval history. Opened in 1937 by King George VI the museum is home to over 2 million items including art, charts, maps, memorabilia & artefacts.
Highlights
- Explore the museums galleries & discover stories of the sea & maritime history.
- Refreshments available in Parkside Café & the Great Map Café.
- Purchase gifts & souvenirs in the National Maritime Museum Shop.
Greenwich Park
About Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is the oldest of the Royal Parks & has strong ties to the Tudor & Stuart monarchs. In the 15th century Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (brother to Henry V) was granted 200 acres of land & permission to construct a stone tower which later become known as Duke Humphrey’s Tower.
After the Duke’s death the land passed to the Crown & his riverside manor house was remodelled by Henry VII into what became the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Tudor palace was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I & Elizabeth the I & was a favourite residence of the Tudor monarchs due to its close proximity to the river & ample hunting ground. Henry VIII introduced deer to Greenwich Park & their decedents remain to this day.
The Stuart period saw great changes to the park with the demolition of the Palace of Placentia, the construction of the Queens House, Royal Hospital for Seamen (Now the Old Royal Naval College) & the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Tudor hunting grounds & pleasure gardens made way for a more formal landscape designed by André Le Notre, gardener to Louis XIV of France.
Today Greenwich Park spans 183 acres & forms one of London’s most magnificent landscapes. Greenwich Hill offers views of the Queens House, Old Royal Naval College, the River Thames & Docklands.
Highlights
- Climb Greenwich Hill & stand across the Historic Prime Meridian.
- Climb Greenwich Hill & marvel at the view across Greenwich, Docklands & London.
- The Greenwich Park Playground is the perfect place for families to enjoy the park.
- Refreshments available in the Pavilion Café & the White House Café.
The Queens House
About the Queens House
Highlights
The Fan Museum
About the Fan Museum
Highlights
Royal Observatory Greenwich
About the Royal Observatory Greenwich
The Royal Observatory Greenwich was founded in 1675 by King Charles II. The Observatory sits on the hill in Greenwich Park and is the location of the Historic Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meantime). The Royal Observatory is also home to the Greenwich Time Ball which has marked 13:00 Greenwich Meantime everyday since 1833.
Highlights
Rangers House
About Rangers House & the Werhner Collection
Rangers House was built c. 1700 by Vice-Admiral Francis Hosier. The house has been home to a number of residents over the years including the Rangers of Greenwich Park between 1816 & 1896. Rangers house is now home to the Werhner Collection, over 700 items assembled by the diamond magnate Julius Werhner.
Highlights
Greenwich Pier Location
**Transportation links are based on data from Transport for London, always check their website (tfl.gov.uk) when planning your journey.
Walking times & distances are average times based on data from Google Maps.
Thames River Sightseeing operate daily cruises from Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier & Greenwich Pier
We operate daytime cruises from 6 piers on the River Thames & private charters from over 20 piers. Click the link below to view all piers.
**Transportation links are based on data from Transport for London, always check their website (tfl.gov.uk) when planning your journey.
Walking times & distances are average times based on data from Google Maps.