River Boats can be heavily booked, especially in the summer months – be sure to reserve your place!
The River Thames is London’s oldest and most permanent feature, a winding, colour-changing ribbon that has been the lifeblood of the city since its foundation. As well as supplying London with water, it is also a surprisingly common commuting method – many people still get to work and back by riverboat. For those with a little more time in their hands, however, a leisurely boat ride on the Thames is both relaxing and a great way to see some of the best sites the city has to offer.
Into the Setting Sun
There are a huge number of different companies offering tours of the Thames, in everything from flashy catamarans to the cumbersome amphibious London Duck buses. Many will offer a variety of starting points, some as far downstream as the Thames Barrier. West of Greenwich Pier, though, most visitors choose to begin at Tower Bridge. Heading upstream from here, you will first pass the old Royal Navy battle cruiser turned floating museum HMS Belfast, before passing under the newest instantiation of London Bridge. Look out for Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on your left just before you pass under the Millenium Bridge a little further down.
Cruising Central
Just around the bend in the river marked by Waterloo Bridge and the National Theatre, the iconic figure of Big Ben will emerge beside the Houses of Parliament on the north bank, set across the Thames from the newer London Eye. Further along, you will slide past the dramatic monolith of the Battersea Power Station. After this point, the density of riverside parks begins to increase as you leave Central London, and you will be treated to the green expanses of Battersea and Wandsworth Parks, as well as the gorgeous Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.
Explore the home of the British Monarchy in the heart of the city and discover some of Royal London’s most popular landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), including a visit to the Tower of London and seeing the exquisite Crown Jewels.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
Your tour will begin at the Tower of London where you will explore this 900-year-old castle and learn about the kings and queens who lived and died in the Tower and its role as a fortress, prison, zoo, and observatory.
Before entering the Jewel House to see the famous Crown Jewels collection, your guide will tell you all about their religious and cultural significance and the many attempts to steal these beautiful diamonds! Important: Your guide will be accompanying you through the visit but is not allowed to give live commentary while inside the collection.
After visiting the Tower of London, you will commute like a true Londoner to Westminster where you will see some of the most popular sights from the water along the way, including Tower Bridge and the London Eye.
Once in Westminster, you will see the Houses of Parliament - the home of the British government, and the magnificent Elizabeth Tower known as "Big Ben". A short walk on, you will come to the exterior of the beautiful Westminster Abbey, where every English king and queen for the last 1000 years has received their coronation, and where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married.
Walk along the Mall and learn curious facts about British kings and queens, who turned the British Empire into the most dominant power on Earth.
Your tour finishes in Trafalgar Square, where your guide will show you the best places to spend the rest of your time exploring, dining, and shopping.
This full-day tour is the perfect way to see London's most iconic attractions in a day, making the most of your time in the English capital by the hand of a professional tour guide who will share local stories and the history of the city.
On your full-day walking tour, you will:
Meet your guide at the Tower of London and explore one of the oldest buildings in the city where some of the greatest events in English history occurred. You will have the opportunity to admire the unmissable and stunning Crown Jewels which are kept here behind extensive security in the aptly-named Jewel House.
On leaving the Tower, enjoy a lunch break before travelling to Westminster by River Bus for a guided visit to Westminster Abbey, London’s royal church, the site of 39 coronations and the venue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. You will learn about the Coronation ceremony and enjoy the beauty of this 800-year-old treasure.
Your full-day tour will continue with a walking tour past some of London’s most famous buildings including St James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards, the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.
After a day in London filled with history, culture and visits to the most iconic landmarks, it's time for a relaxing ride on the London Eye, one of the world's biggest Ferris Wheels for spectacular views across London that you will enjoy with your group.
Please Note: timing of the itinerary, including lunch and Westminster Abbey, are subject to change.
Experience a full-day private tour of London's spectacular Royal landmarks with a private and knowledgeable Blue Badge guide and discover the most popular sites including the Tower of London, the best of Westminster and the opportunity to see the Changing of the Guard.
On your private full-day tour, you will:
Enjoy Royal London on this fantastic day tour that begins in the heart of Westminster, follows the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and ends with the sight of the dazzling Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
Meet your guide at Westminster for a tour outside the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Learn about the political history of Parliament Square and its relationship to The Crown. Westminster Abbey has been the site of 38 coronations since 1066, and numerous royal weddings and funerals, including the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Her Majesty The Queen's state funeral.
From Westminster, wander up Birdcage Walk where you will follow the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Follow the Guardsmen and military band, with their famous red coats and black bearskin hats to Buckingham Palace. Head into Trafalgar Square, via Horseguards Parade, and along Whitehall - the political nerve centre of the UK and the address of 10 Downing Street - home to the British Prime Minister.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Thames to Tower Bridge. You'll get to see London and Waterloo Bridges, the London Eye, the Globe, the skyscrapers, and St Paul’s Cathedral from the boat.
Your guide will then accompany you to St. Katherine's Docks for lunch (not included), after which you will enjoy an exclusive private tour of the infamous Tower of London, with reserved tickets included.
Then it's time to enter the Tower of London! Walk past Traitor's Gate and discover the many stories and scandals hidden within the walls of this ancient building. It was formerly a moated royal palace, that became an armoury, a royal mint, a zoo... and most famously the traitor's prison! You'll meet the Beefeaters and the ravens who guard the Tower and discover the stories behind some of the Tower's most famous prisoners from the young Princes in the Tower to Queen Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey whose graffiti you can still see in her prison cell.
Explore the White Tower, the oldest part of the fortress, walk the battlements, enter the torture chambers (if you dare!) and visit the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, where some very famous queens are buried.
Best of all, you will be able to admire the dazzling Crown Jewels which are kept behind extensive security in the aptly-named Jewel House. Due to the strict security measures in place and the moving viewing platform, your guide cannot accompany you but will wait for you at the exit.
End your tour inside the Tower to explore more at your leisure - or return to modern life with your guide!
Please note: Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, but can be subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. You can check the schedule here: https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
Experience the perfect tour of Royal London in a day for families with teens and children, including the Changing of the Guard. Keep even the most easily distracted children entertained on this fabulous, fun, and fascinating tour of Royal London! We know how important it is to inspire all ages and work hard to ensure a perfect match with a family-friendly Blue Badge guide.
On your private tour, you will:
Please note: that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, but can be subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall.
You can check the schedule here: https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
Learn all about London's incredible past on this fun, action-packed full-day tour of Royal London. From the Gunpowder Plot at the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, a terrifying coronation at Westminster Abbey in 1066, to following the Changing of the Guard ceremony, you and the kids will be hooked all the way!
Hear about the secret underground tunnels below Buckingham Palace, and the times when thieves and madmen were able to break in - including a 14-year-old cat burglar who was caught stealing Queen Victoria's knickers!
Head up to Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, and learn about the legends of the lions, before a fantastic riverboat ride down the Thames to Tower Bridge. See if you can spot famous London Landmarks along the way - like Shakespeare's Globe, the Shard, and St Paul's Cathedral.
After a well-earned lunch break at St Katharine's Docks, reconvene with your guide outside Traitor's Gate! Yes, it's time for your tour of the Tower of London. An ancient fortress built by William the Conqueror, it used to have polar bears in the moat - neither the moat nor the bears have survived!
Explore the White Tower and the Armoury, the Chapel Royal, and the prison cells... learn about the mystery of the Princes in the Tower and the gruesome executions that took place here. See the burial place of three Queens: Anne Boleyn, Catharine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. Meet the Beefeaters and the ravens who guard the Tower, and learn about medieval torture in the dungeons!
Finally, hear all about the Crown Jewels, before heading into the Jewel House and be dazzled by the priceless collection of royal jewellery and regalia, including the legendary Kohinoor Diamond and King Edward's Crown.
End your tour inside the Tower to explore more of the cells, dungeons, and medieval torture chambers at your leisure - or return to modern life with your guide!
At Black Cab Heritage Tours, we have a wide range of private tours and day trips from London, but our priority is to make sure you have a memorable experience, and that every detail of your tour is taken care of.
This “Build Your Own Tour” will allow you to work with one of our staff members to create the perfect customised tour according to your requests.
These tours have been designed to be delivered within the city of London. If you want to do a day trip out of town or to a different area, please reach out directly so we can reconfirm the duration and the itinerary for the day.We look forward to welcoming you to London soon!
Please note
Discover the many filming locations of the Harry Potter movies in muggle London on a private walking tour of the most famous landmarks of the city. Unlike other cities, London was used in many of the scenes, so you will have the opportunity to visit the actual sites that made it on the big screen!
On your Harry Potter private walking tour you will:
Explore the literary and cinematic landmarks inspired by Harry Potter’s world on this magical tour of London with a private guide, who is also a Potter fanatic.
Prepare for your own sorting ceremony and be sure you know which magical creature you want to bring with you to Hogwarts. On this half-day tour, you'll traverse many of London's hidden passageways and filming locations for the iconic 8 films.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Ernie Prang and Stan Shunpike on the Knight Bus!
See Diagon Alley, the Leaky cauldron, and other spellbinding places - both obvious and hidden from muggle eyes. Enjoy fascinating trivia on the series and gain a lesser-known insight into the characters, author and actors.
Hear tales that even the most dedicated fans and Potterheads will not have heard before! With wands, quizzes and prizes, you will enjoy a unique wizarding experience.
Note: If you would like to visit Platform 9¾ after the tour to hop aboard the Hogwarts Express, your guide will be happy to direct you to King's Cross Station, a short tube ride away.
DISCLAIMER: This tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the film series 'Harry Potter' based on the eponymous novels by author J. K. Rowling, produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Travel Curious Ltd. and this tour does not have any association with, or connection to, the film series 'Harry Potter', the author J. K. Rowling, and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Whether you’re a die-hard Bridgerton enthusiast or simply an Anglophile looking for a day exploring another historic pocket of London, Greenwich Village awaits you with historic buildings, cobblestone roads, and one of London’s most spectacular parks.
Greenwich played host to several Bridgerton filming locations to recreate Regency England and it's the perfect place to spend a day discovering an area steeped in history and rich in culture, home to the Prime Meridian of the World.
On this Bridgerton Filming Locations tour, you will:
Your tour begins with a river boat ride, a favourite way for Londoners to commute, and enjoy some of the city’s most iconic sites from the famous River Thames – including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Upon arriving in Greenwich, you will visit the Queen’s House which has been at the centre of Royal life for hundreds of years. Most famous for its architecture and beautiful spiral staircase, the house is also known for its magnificent art collection, including works by Gainsborough, Turner, and Hogarth.
From there, wander through beautiful Greenwich Park, for fantastic views of the city. Your guide will then show you the iconic Bridgerton home, Ranger House, where you can imagine yourself as one of the numerous Bridgerton siblings, living in Regency England, while also learning about the real purpose of Ranger House.
Finally, walk uphill and visit the Royal Greenwich Observatory, an astronomical observatory and, until its closure in 1998, the oldest scientific research institution in Great Britain. In the mid-18th century, the Nautical Almanac established the longitude of Greenwich as the baseline for time calculations, and a hundred years later, it became the Earth’s prime meridian (0° longitude).
Your tour finishes in Greenwich, where you can choose to return to Central London with your guide or spend more time exploring Greenwich at your own pace.
Should you wish to stay in Greenwich after your tour finishes, your guide will give you tips on where to eat and what to visit and give you your return boat ticket, which is valid all day.
DISCLAIMER: This tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the television series 'Bridgerton' created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix. Travel Curious Ltd. and this tour does not have any association with or connection to, the television series 'Bridgerton', Chris Van Dusen and Netflix.
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