River Thames Sightseeing Cruises

Sightseeing cruises along the River Thames

This sightseeing article is a continuation of the Sightseeing cruise from Westminster to Greenwich. Cruising up river you pass under Blackfriars Bridge. This was also the place where the very first railway bridge over the river was built, the Alexandra Bridge. Blackfriars bridge was built in the 19th century, adjacent to this old one, which was taken down as Blackfriars went up. Evidence of the Alexandra Bridge can still be seen as you pass under. All that is left is gaudy red columns, topped with gilt and green garlands that run parallel to the Blackfriars Bridge. It was demolished due to its inability to support more modern trains and the pillars were left because their removal may have undermined the foundations of the bridge next to it. A striking ruin in central London.

There are several interesting buildings to be seen from the river at Blackfriars. On the north bank the huge white building on the corner is the Grade II listed building that has been occupied since the early 1930s by Unilever. Unilever took it over when the company was formed (from the Lever Bros Company makers of soap and margarine). They still have their London headquarters here 70 years on. Next to this building and facing the river bank is a beautiful Victorian building in the style of Italian Renaissance. It was formerly the City of London School for Boys. At the end of the 19th century this school was located on this beautiful riverside site and many famous boys have passed through its doors which include the early 20th century Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith and the author Kingsley Amis. The school was unusual for its time because not only would it take boys from all religious persuasions (which was very unusual for a public, fee-paying school to do) but it also promoted a progressive and practical curriculum. It was the first school to teach science, English literature and commercial subjects. The school still exists today and still has the same values and principles as it had in the 19th century. It moved to a new modern building close to St. Paul's Cathedral in 1986 and the old building is currently occupied by an investment bank.


Across the river on the southern bank you can see the famous OXO Tower. The building was constructed at the end of the 19th century as a power station but was taken over in the 1920s by the makers of the Oxo beef stock cube and used for cold storage. It was pretty much rebuilt then in the Art Deco style and its clever incorporation of the company's logo into the very structure of the building (the OXO windows) enabled the company to overcome advertising restrictions of the time. It has stood as a famous London landmark ever since. Under threat of demolition in the 1970/80s it was bought by the GLC who then sold it on (at a loss) for development into retail and leisure facilities. It now houses many interesting design shops ranging from fashion to furniture and jewellery to home accessories. There is, too, an exhibition area for architecture, design art and photography, and, on the roof, is probably one of the best restaurants in London, the Oxo Tower Restaurant at Harvey Nichols with its wonderful terrace and outstanding river views. From the OXO Tower it is possible to walk back along the Thames Path to the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre. Walking in the opposite direction from the OXO Tower you will reach the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Royal National Theatre at the South Bank by Waterloo bridge and, further on, as you approach Westminster bridge, the London Eye and the London Aquarium. On the way be sure to visit Gabriel's Wharf which is located just before the London Television Centre. This area is a great place for unusual designer art and fashion. Many of the small shops have the artists in situ and their work can be displayed around the wharf for you to admire and maybe even buy. The area also has plenty of choices for eating and drinking and very close is Gabriel's Wharf Lookout Point for amazing views of the river and the London skyline

As you go under the railway bridge (Hungerford) and pedestrian Golden Jubilee Bridge that leads to Charing Cross station you get a really good view of the London Eye, the 450' high ferris wheel. It goes at a speed of 1 mile per hour and on a clear day it is possible to see for 30 miles. On the opposite bank you can see a strange looking modern building which is Charing Cross Station. The architect, Terry Farrell, intended it to look like a train coming out of a tunnel but the popular opinion of Londoners is that it looks, for all the world, like a massive juke box. Immediately past the bridge you will see an old paddle steamer moored up named, The Tattershall Castle. This is a floating bar, restaurant and nightclub which is fun to visit for something different - at reasonable prices and fantastic views.