Plan your Thames River cruise

While you can't walk the entire 215 miles, the Thames Path is a designated National Trail running 184 miles from the river's source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier in East London. It's well-marked and open to the public for continuous walking in many sections, especially within London.

In central London, the path is generally well-lit and busy, making it quite safe. However, in less central or more remote areas, lighting may be minimal, so it's always best to walk with a companion or stick to well-known areas, especially after dark.

Swimming is strongly discouraged, and generally illegal, in the tidal sections of the river, especially in Central London. The water is polluted, and there are severe dangers from strong currents, heavy boat traffic, cold temperatures, and floating debris. Organized swimming events occur only in highly controlled, non-tidal, upstream sections.

The Thames is tidal (meaning the water level changes dramatically) up to Teddington Lock. This is critical for waterside visitors. You should check the tide times (available via Port of London Authority or various apps) before visiting a foreshore area. Low tide exposes the mud and artifacts; high tide can completely submerge steps and paths.

No, not without a license. Searching for or removing anything from the foreshore (the mud exposed at low tide) is known as mudlarking. It requires a specific permit from the Port of London Authority (PLA) due to the archaeological importance and safety concerns of the area. Casual searching for finds is illegal.

If you plan to walk on any of the steps leading to the river or just enjoy the views at low tide, wear sturdy shoes or boots—never flip-flops or open-toed shoes. The foreshore mud is slippery, and broken glass or metal can be exposed.

The South Bank offfers continuous, iconic views of landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and St Paul's Cathedral. Greenwich Park provides a magnificent elevated view of the Thames snaking through East London, with Canary Wharf as a backdrop. Walking across the Tower Bridge offers fantastic, close-up views of the Tower of London and the City skyline.

No. The Thames Path is primarily for walkers. Cycling is generally not permitted on the official route in urban areas, though dedicated cycle paths often run parallel to the river. Check local signage.

For sightseeing/hop-on hop-off cruises, advance booking is recommended to save time and often money, but tickets can generally be purchased on the day at the pier ticket office. For special cruises (e.g., Dinner, Afternoon Tea, or high-speed boats like Thames Lates), booking well in advance is essential as capacity is limited.

Short sightseeing (one-way) between major piers (e.g., Westminster to Tower Pier) takes about 30-40 mins. Long sightseeing, from Westminster to Greenwich takes about 60 mins. Dining/Speciality cruises typically last between 2 and 3 hours.