Locations
Our cruise boats depart on an eastbound route from Westminster Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (via Embankment Pier, Festival Pier and Bankside Pier) and after reaching St Katharine’s Pier our boats return directly to Westminster.
The list of locations below are some of the many historical London tourist attractions along the River Thames.
The Houses of Parliament
Designed by Charles Barry and the underlying genius of Pugin who was responsible for all the decorative work. The buildings occupied the site of the old Royal Palace of Westminster which had burnt down in 1834. Neither Barry nor Pugin were to live to see the new buildings completed. The famous tower and clock are known as Big Ben but this is in fact the name of the 16 ton bell which rings the hour.
Our River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Westminster Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers and tourist attraction packages.
Details
Palace of Westminster,
London
SW1A 2PW
More Info
Tower of London (Attraction)
Within the ancient Fortress, the Tower of London, visitors can gaze up at the massive White Tower, tiptoe through a king’s medieval bedchamber and marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels. Meet the Yeoman Warders with bloody tales to tell; stand where famous heads rolled, discover where prisoners and exotic wild animals were kept – then hear even more surprising stories about the Tower – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Address:
Tower of London
London
EC3N 4AB
www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
Tower of London with River Thames cruise offer 2018
Book your Tower of London admission with Circular Cruise Westminster and receive a 50% discount off your Thames river boat cruise ticket!
To redeem please use the offer code TOL2018 when you book your tickets.
Terms and Conditions: Offer is only bookable via this website.
BOOK OFFER NOW
View our hop-on/ hop-off River Thames cruise timetable.
Details
HM Tower of London,
London
EC3N 4AB
More Info
Westminster Pier
Westminster Pier
Westminster Pier is the most popular starting point for people travelling on Circular Cruise’s hop-on/hop-off London sightseeing boat service on River Thames. It is easily accessible.
Westminster Pier timetable for boat trips
Our boat trips depart daily from Westminster Pier. View our timetable.
You are able to hop-on/ hop-off our boat service at a number of piers along the River Thames from Westminster Pier to St Katharine’s Pier. Our boats are popular with both locals and tourists looking to travel to Tower Bridge, Tower of London and St Katharine’s Docks.
Read our suggested itinerary for a day trip to London.
Boat departure times from Westminster Pier
View our year round River Thames boat trip timetable where you can board our boats from central London piers en-route to St Katharine’s Pier.
Where can I buy tickets for Circular Cruise Westminster?
You are able to purchase tickets online or from our ticket booth at Westminster Pier*.
Our Westminster ticket office is located on the north side of the River Thames at Westminster Pier next to where you board our sightseeing boat.
Westminster Pier
London
SW1A 2JH
(*We also have ticket booths at other piers along the River Thames where you can buy tickets.)
How to get to Westminster Pier?
Westminster Pier is just 2 minutes’ walk from Westminster Tube Station served by Central, District and Jubilee lines. View TFL website for more information.
You can also travel to Westminster Pier by bus. View TFL bus stop information for Westminster.
Westminster Pier is fully accessible.
What tourist attractions are near Westminster Pier?
When you are planning your visit to Westminster there are a number of tourist attractions within easy walking distance.
Westminster Pier is located next to the Houses of Parliament (also known as the Palace of Westminster with its great bell, nicknamed Big Ben).
Less than a 10-minute walk away from Westminster Pier are some of London’s major tourist attractions including Westminster Abbey, the Cabinet War Rooms, the London Eye, the London Aquarium, the London Dungeon and Shrek’s Adventure!
Read our blog Things to look for at Westminster Pier.
Details
Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment,
London
SW1A 2JH
More Info
The London Eye
Designed by Marks Barfield Architects the London Eye was launched in 2000 to celebrate the millennium. At 135m, the Coca-Cola London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel and there are 32 capsules.
Originally, the eye was intended as a temporary structure, able to dismantled and transported to a new location, and had planning permission for 5 years. But with millions boarding it every year the lease has been extended.
Our River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Westminster Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers and tourist attraction packages.
Details
The London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road,
London
SE1 7PB
More Info
Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is a world-famous arts centre on the South Bank of the Thames. Created in 1951 for the Festival of Britain, Southbank Centre draws on its heritage as a festival site, with art and activities inside and outside.
Southbank Centre occupies a 21- acre site in the midst of London’s vibrant cultural quarter on the south bank of the River Thames. Southbank Centre includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, the Hayward Gallery and the Poetry Library.
Our hop-on, hop-off River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Festival Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers and tourist attraction packages.
Details
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road,
London
SE1 8XX
More Info
Embankment Pier
Embankment Pier is located at the heart of London’s West End, a short walk from Somerset House and within easy reach of the theatres and shops in Covent Garden.
You are able to embark at Embankment Pier on the eastbound journey to St Katharine’s Pier only.
Embankment Pier is located across the road from Embankment Tube Station.
View our River Thames cruise timetable.
Details
Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment,
London
WC2N 6NU
More Info
Festival Pier
Festival Pier is located outside the Southbank Centre that includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, the Hayward Gallery and the Poetry Library. The National Theatre and London Eye are a short walk from Festival Pier.
Festival Pier is fully accessible and is 10 minutes’ walk from Waterloo Station.
You are able to embark at Festival Pier on the eastbound journey to St Katharine’s Pier only.
View our River Thames cruise timetable.
Details
Festival Pier, Riverside Walk,
London
SE1 9PX
More Info
National Theatre
The National Theatre is dedicated to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible. We produce productions on the South Bank in London each year, ranging from re-imagined classics to modern masterpieces and new work by contemporary writers and theatre-makers. The National’s work is seen on tour throughout the UK, in London’s West End, internationally (including on Broadway) and in collaborations and co-productions with regional theatres.
Across 2015-2016, the NT staged 34 productions and gave 3,057 performances in the UK and internationally. We reached audiences of over 787,000 on the South Bank, and over 3.7 million worldwide. Via the NT Live programme, which broadcasts live performances to cinema screens internationally, we reached 1.5 million people around the world.
The Clore Learning Centre at the NT is committed to providing programmes for schools, young people, families, community groups and adult learners, including the nationwide youth theatre festival Connections and playwriting competition New Views. Last year, we engaged with over 189,000 participants through the NT Learning events programme. Further, over 2,200 secondary schools have signed up to the free streaming service, On Demand in Schools since its launch in September 2015.
Our hop-on, hop-off River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Festival Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our River Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers and tourist attraction + cruise packages.
Details
National Theatre, Upper Ground,
London
SE1 9PX
More Info
Somerset House
Somerset House is a spectacular neo-classical building in the heart of London, sitting between the Strand and the River Thames. During summer months 55 fountains dance in the courtyard, and in winter you can skate on London’s favourite ice rink. Somerset House also hosts open-air concerts and films, contemporary art and design exhibitions, family workshops and free guided tours of spaces usually hidden to visitors.
Our River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Embankment Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers and tourist attraction packages.
Details
Somerset House, Strand,,
London
WC2R 1LA
More Info
St Paul’s Cathedral
Enter Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece and enjoy the awe-inspiring interior of the cathedral floor. A cathedral has stood here since 604AD with the present cathedral now over 300 years old.
Visitors can experience the acoustic quirks of the Whispering Gallery and continue to the Golden Gallery for breathtaking panoramic views.
Descend to the crypt housing the tombs and memorials of some of the nation’s greatest heroes such as Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.
Explore using a touch-screen multimedia guide; join a guided tour or introductory talk; and view the award-winning 270° film experience, Oculus.
Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Our hop-on, hop-off River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Embankment Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our River Thames cruise timetable, latest ticket special offers and tourist attraction admission + Thames cruise packages.
Details
More Info
Bankside Pier
Bankside Pier is conveniently located near the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
You are able to embark at Bankside on the east-bound journey to St Katharine’s Pier only.
View our River Thames cruise timeable.
Details
Bankside Pier, Bankside,
London
SE1 9PD
More Info
OXO Tower
OXO Tower Wharf is an award-winning landmark building located on the riverside walkway part of the Southbank and Bankside areas. It is home to some of the UK’s most innovative and internationally renowned contemporary designers, restaurants, cafes, bars and exhibition venues.
The OXO Tower has been a river landmark since 1930 however it fell in disappear in the 1970s. In the 1990s the building entered a new lease of life as it was purchased by Coin Street Community Builders and was reopened in 1996.
It now home to shops, a Harvey Nichols Brasserie, rooftop terrace and restaurant in addition to over 30 retail design studios.
Address: Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, Southbank, London, SE1 9PH
www.oxotower.co.uk
Our hop-on, hop-off River Thames sightseeing cruise to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London) offers some great views of historical tourist attractions.
View our River Thames cruise timetable and our latest ticket offers.
Details
OXO Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, Southbank,
London
SE1 9PH
More Info
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of modern art and is part of the Tate Group (along with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives). It’s based in the former Bankside Power Station and a new extension to the Tate Modern named Switch House opened in June 2016 and is a 10 storey tower featuring a viewing platform on the 10th floor.
Address: Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
Our hop-on, hop-off River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Bankside Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our River Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers.
Details
Bankside,
London
SE1 9TG
More Info
Shakespeare’s Globe
Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare’s Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare’s work and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education.
You are able to go on guided tours of the playhouse, see one of the many productions which take please each year or sample the cuisine at the Swan Restaurant.
Our hop-on, hop-off River Thames sightseeing cruise departs from nearby Bankside Pier to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our Thames cruise timetable and latest ticket offers.
Details
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside,
London
SE1 9DT
More Info
The Shard
Construction started on the Shard in 2009 and was completed in 2012. It’s designer was Renzo Piano and 310 metres high it is the tallest building in Western Europe. The shard is home to offices, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The View from the Shard observation platform and restaurants and bars.
To view other great views of historical tourist attractions along the River Thames then why not try our River Thames cruise?
View our River Thames cruise timetable and latest offers.
Details
The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street,
London
SE1 9SG
More Info
HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast is a Southampton class cruiser and is permanently moored in the River Thames as a floating museum. HMS Belfast saw active service during the Second World War most notably at the Battle of North Cape where she took part in the sinking of the German battle cruiser “Scharnhorst” she also took part in the Normandy landings.
You will see HMS Belfast at close hand when you pass it during our River Thames cruise enroute to Tower Bridge and St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our hop-on/ hop-off Thames cruise timetable and our latest offers.
Details
HMS Belfast, The Queens Walk,
London
SE1 2JH
More Info
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge opened in 1894 and measures 800ft (240m) between the two towers which house the machinery for raising the bascules (each weighing about 1000 tons) in 90 seconds.
Visitors have the opportunity to explore Tower Bridge’s iconic structure, spectacular views and glass floor, modern exhibitions and magnificent Victorian Engine Rooms.
You will see Tower Bridge at close hand when you pass under it during our River Thames cruise to St Katharine’s Pier (Tower of London).
View our hop-on/ hop-off Thames cruise timetable and our latest offers.
Details
Tower Bridge Exhibition, Tower Bridge Road,
London
SE1 2UP
More Info
Tower of London
Within the ancient Fortress, the Tower of London, visitors can gaze up at the massive White Tower, tiptoe through a king’s medieval bedchamber and marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels. Meet the Yeoman Warders with bloody tales to tell; stand where famous heads rolled, discover where prisoners and exotic wild animals were kept – then hear even more surprising stories about the Tower – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Address:
Tower of London
EC3N 4AB
www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
Tower of London with River Thames cruise offer 2018
Book your Tower of London admission with Circular Cruise Westminster and receive a 50% discount off your Thames river boat cruise ticket!
To redeem please use the offer code TOL2018 when you book your tickets.
Terms and Conditions: Offer is only bookable via this website.
BOOK OFFER NOW
View our hop-on/ hop-off River Thames cruise timetable.
Details
HM Tower of London,
London
EC3N 4AB
More Info
St Katharine’s Pier
St Katharine’s Pier is adjacent to Tower Bridge, a short 5 minutes’ walk from both the Tower of London and St Katharine’s Docks home to restaurants, shops and the historical Dickens Inn. (St Katharine’s Pier is a 2 minutes’ walk from the Guoman Tower Hotel).
You are able to hop-on or hop-off the Circular Thames River cruise at St Katharine Pier.
View our River Thames cruise timetable.
