We arrived in London early Sunday morning on Mother’s Day to beautiful Spring weather. The sky was shining brilliantly with absolutely no sign of rain, and the weather was going to heat up to delightful 80 degrees (26 C). Everyone was out and about enjoying the great outdoors and the parks of London.
Having just arrived from a transatlantic flight, my mom, sister and I were all very tired but we were determined to not let our jet lag make us sleep. Instead, we explored Central London and decided on taking an afternoon cruise along the River Thames on an open-air boat. It ended up being the perfect way to see London and enjoy some of the historical and unusually new, modern architecture of this amazing city.
A beautiful day in London
We walked the short distance to the River Thames from our hotel located a block away from Trafalgar square and purchased our tickets for a round-trip ride with City Cruises. Unfortunately, we were unaware at the time that a river cruise is included in the hop-on-hop-off bus tour package we would take the next day with the Original Tour. However, we timed it right given the bright sunny skies. Our bus tour would be wallowing in the infamous London rain.
We got abroad the City Cruise at the Westminster Pier, right across from Westminster Abbey. You can get onboard at a few different locations however it is best to start at Westminster in order to see the entire tour from start to finish.
Given the beautiful weather, we opted to sit on the top deck of the boat for better viewing and picture-taking. If it is raining or cold, you can sit comfortably below and see the tour through panoramic windows on each side of the boat.
Screen shot of map of City Cruises River Thames route.
Climbing aboard the upper deck of our river cruise
The tour took us along the South Bank and Victoria Embankment where we saw the London Eye, one of London’s premier tourist attractions that looks like a giant ferris wheel slowly spinning around to give visitors a 360 degree view of London. On a beautiful day, you can apparently see for miles off into the distance. (We didn’t try it because my sister and mom are very afraid of heights).
Crossing under our first of many bridges with a view of the London Eye
Our next stop was at the Bankside Pier where we viewed the St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern art museum. What amazed me the most is the combination of historical and ultra modern architecture. London’s eclectic mix of steel and glass skyscrapers seemed slightly out of place next to all the old, historical buildings from hundreds of years ago. London has been in a building frenzy for the last decade and many new skyscrapers are in the works (as can be seen by the high number of cranes). It will be fascinating to see what new additions arrive over the next few years.
We also passed lots of bridges of course. I particularly liked the Millennium Footbridge, which is an elaborate steel structure for pedestrians that twists and turns in beautiful curves. I would have loved to walk across it but we never ended up back there.
The Millennium Footbridge opened in 2000.
We next headed towards the oldest part of town near the London and Tower Bridge. Later we would take the bus tour through this area and ride across the Tower Bridge into the old, historical heart of London. I found this area particularly interesting given the fact that its medieval streets named after the professions that worked there are still crazily narrow and do not exactly accommodate modern day London traffic.
I had fun taking photos of the Tower Bridge. Built from built 1886–1894, the bridge is one of the most iconic symbols of London as is the red double-decker bus.
As we headed back to the pier, I took a few more photos of the interesting combination of old versus new architecture in London. It had been twenty years since I had last stepped foot in London and it certainly has changed. I can only imagine what it will look like in another 20 years. Hopefully it doesn’t take me that long to get back to this fantastic city.
If you go:
City Cruises offers fully narrated sightseeing tours every 30 minutes along the Thames from the piers at Westminster, London Eye, Bankside, Tower and Greenwich. Circular cruises go from Tower and Bankside. To check out their schedule and prices, please click here. Remember, if you are doing the Original Tour (double-decker hop-on hop-off, this tour is included for free in the 24-hour bus pass. Check here for more details.
What a nice way to see the city…
It was great especially in the warm sunshine! Next two days, very wet!
A grand trip! Great photos, Nicole!
Thanks Amy!
We very much enjoyed the cruise as part of the hop on hop off tour. Your photos take m right back there Nicole .What fun to do this with your Mom and sister.
Yes we had a great time Sue. The highlight was going to see “Thriller Live” ! The man who played Michael Jackson looked and danced just like him. It was amazing!
I never really appreciated seeing a city through a cruise until last weekend, for the lack of anything better to do, we went on a cruise ourselves in New York City! Must say I enjoyed. As you mentioned, it is enjoyable and informative – a great way to see a city peacefully!
I’ve done the one in NYC and loved it. It is such a great way to see a city!
Well. I agree with that now! 🙂 though I just realized I don’t know your name!
It’s Nicole!
It’s been 30 years since I’ve been there…wow! Not expecting those modern buildings.
The buildings surprised me too!
I haven’t been to London ever, but reading about your trip was like a quick nice tour to me and I love that picture you took of the red double decker bus, crossing the iconic London Bridge. 🙂
Thanks! Yes it was quite fun. We also did the red double decker bus tour. That was pretty fun but it was pouring rain! We were down below.
What a great way to see London.
Yes it was wonderful Debra!
Fantastic photos and interesting info! Love the red bus on the Tower Bridge.
That is one of my favorite shots too! 🙂
Looks like a perfect post-flight activity, especially on such a beautiful day!
Yes it was. We tried so hard not to go to sleep! I think jet lag to Europe is the worst. I can never sleep on the flight there and am always so tired.
What fun memories, Nicole! Megan and I took the Big Bus Tour when we were in London some years ago and chose the river tour as well. We were lucky with weather and the young man who did the narration on the bus was fantastic. It was a great experience and showed us lots of the city that we didn’t need to see again, even though it was interesting. Our ticket also included a lunch at one of several places. The Irish pub we chose had great lamb. We did the bus tour on the day we arrived, which helped keep us awake and get on the right time schedule. 🙂
janet
That is wonderful! I would love to take my kids there someday. They would love the double decker bus tour! How wonderful you got the pub included too!
So interesting to see the old architecture versus the new! And great advice on the free boattrip 😉
Have a great weekend, Ron
Thanks Ron. Your photos from your trip to NZ look fantastic!!!! I am having a hard time blogging about my trip because as much as I love Europe, my heart belongs in nature and the mountains. I am feeling itchy to get back to New Zealand one day. I loved it there so much.
Great photos of London, haven’t been there for 26 or so years so it will have changed a lot. I know what you mean by your heart belonging to the mountains, Nicole.
Thanks Louise!