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23 things to do on the Thames, London
Without the Thames, there would be no London. It has been called ‘liquid history’, the ‘heart of London’ and there has been an official settlement on the banks of the river for at least two thousand years – so it’s not surprising you’ll find a string of things to do on the Thames in London.
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And whether you visit London with kids or without, I don’t think you’ve truly explored the capital unless you’ve done something along its banks. Fortunately, that’s not hard: the river is home to some of London’s biggest attractions, museums, historic buildings, walks and activities.
Here are my top 23 things to do on the Thames, London – all these River Thames attractions either right on the banks or within just a few minutes of the river.
Take a boat trip on the Thames
The best way to experience the river is on the water itself. Several companies run regular boat services along the Thames including the river bus Uber Boat by Thames Clippers or Thames River Boats which take you further west towards Hampton, as well as a hop on hop off cruise with City Cruises.
Or swap cruising for speeding with rib boats, including Thames Rockets and Thames RIB Experience . It’s easy to combine the journeys with some of the sights below too.
The Terrible Thames boat tour, from the people behind Horrible Histories is another really fun option if you’re visiting London with kids.
Walk the river
The entire Thames path is around 184 miles long if you fancy the trip from the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier – the section through London alone stretches 40 miles, so unless you’re a dedicated walker, pick a section and a bank.
The Thames Path website has some helpful suggestions broken down into 8-12 mile sections to see some of the highlights along the way, including easy stretches if you’re exploring with younger kids.
You can also take self-guided Thames river tours or try my short wander for some of the best Instagram spots on the South Bank
For 50+ other free things to do in London with kids, check out my top picks
Explore the South Bank
If you’re not sure where to start, the South Bank is one of the best sections to wander as there’s always something going on, whatever time of year you visit.
The Southbank Centre is at the heart of a lot of the events and activities which take place on the South Bank, right down to the street art painted on the outside.
But venture inside and there are some fantastic art exhibitions to discover if you’re visiting London with teens, including interactive installations and art at the Hayward Gallery.
If you’re visiting the Southbank Centre with younger kids, you can find family-friendly performances taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as the annual Imagine Festival for families every February.
Keep an eye out for events as well, from a Christmas market in winter, an urban beach in summer, festivals, not to mention performances at the Royal Festival Hall, films at the BFI, plays at the National Theatre.
For more things to do on the South Bank with kids, check out my tips
Dig through history
Turn the clock back a century or so and people made a living from mudlarking (well, just about). Today, it’s a chance to explore the city’s history – you never know what you might turn up. Probably not gold sadly.
Thames Explorer also runs foreshore walks – you can’t simply head down without a guide and start collecting. Quite apart from staying safe, you need a license – there are some useful tips here – so an organised experience is best.
Enjoy the view
Don’t miss seeing the Thames from above – it’ll be visible from any of the city’s high viewpoints but the London Eye is one of the best, sitting right above the river.
Perfect for the realisation that the river’s bends mean the city’s geography is laid out a little differently than you might expect. There’s a discount if you buy online in advance and you can also find skip-the-line tickets
Get your heart racing
Or for a view with a difference, how about climbing onto the roof of the O2 – Up at the O2 takes you 52m above the ground, and 2m above the surface of the O2 itself, during a 90-minute climb.
You have to be at least 8 years old and 1.2m tall to take part.
Cross a bridge
33 bridges cross the Thames in London, so you’re guaranteed a few good views as you cross. Tower Bridge is easily the most famous and you can head inside to discover its history and look through the famous glass floor – buy tickets to the Tower Bridge exhibition here.
And if you’d like a chance of seeing the impressive opening as a bigger boat comes through, check the lift times.
But there are plenty of other good spots: Blackfriars Bridge is one of my favourites, especially at sunset or after dark as you look along to the lit-up Oxo Tower, while the Millennium Bridge (which I shall forever think of as the wobbly bridge) has great views to St Paul’s.
Or head west to check out Albert Bridge after dark when it’s lit up by 4,000 bulbs – look down the river from Chelsea Bridge.
Planning to visit London Bridge? Here’s why you shouldn’t… plus a few reasons you should keep it on your itinerary
Or fly over the river
Jump in the cable car and fly over the river, taking you between the royal docks and Greenwich peninsula in around 10 minutes – five minutes during morning rush hour, and 12-13 minutes for the night flights after 7pm.
You can pay using an Oyster card or contactless, although this isn’t included in the daily fare cap, or simply buy tickets on the day. Children aged 5-15 do also need to pay, with 50% off adults fares.
Discover Greenwich
One of my favourite parts of London, it’s easy to spend a day (or longer) exploring Greenwich with kids, including the Royal Observatory, Old Royal Naval College with its fabulous Painted Hall, Planetarium, market and the wonderful Cutty Sark.
There is also the Royal Museums Greenwich day pass which includes entry to the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory
You could hop on the tube but it’s hard to beat a boat trip along the Thames to get there – just as I did with my daughter for our day out at the Cutty Sark.
Hampton Court
Once the royal inhabitants of Hampton Court – appropriated by Henry VIII from Cardinal Wolsey – would have arrived by barge, and you can still get a boat to Hampton to discover the Tudor palace, complete with maze and Magic Garden.
I visited Hampton Court with a baby and have been back my daughter several times since – one of my favourite family days out. Check out one of our latest visits to Hampton Court with kids.
You can also get a combined Historic Royal Palaces pass including access to Hampton Court and the Tower of London.
Visit the Tower of London
Another royal palace which was accessed by water, the very gate you entered by was significant – kings and queens would arrive in state to be conducted to the royal apartments… apart from a few who entered by Traitor’s Gate, numbered among the prisoners who often never set foot outside again.
From the Norman White Tower to the medieval additions, crown jewels, beefeaters and ravens, plus centuries of history, the Tower of London is one of my favourite London sights. Click here to buy tickets.
You can also see the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys – check out my experience of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with kids.
Stroll around St Katherine’s Dock
Wander a little further along the Thames and nearby St Katherine’s Dock has been turned from a commercial dock into a marina, with shops and restaurants.
On a sunny day, it’s a pretty place to wander past yachts, away from some of the bustle around the tower.
Board a battleship
HMS Belfast was once a Royal Navy light cruiser, now a museum ship permanently moored on the Thames – a great option for kids to discover its history, with special activities during school holidays.
Operated by the Imperial War Museum, you can discover what life would have been like on board for the crew during the Second World War until 1963.
Spot fish
Whales, seals, dolphins and porpoises have all been spotted in the river since it has been cleaned up in recent years, but if you want to be certain of spotting marine life, head to the Sea Life London Aquarium near the London Eye.
One of the biggest collections in Europe, it houses over 500 species, 14 themed zones and more than 2 million litres of water, with some unusual creatures to discover, as well as some favourites including penguins and clownfish.
There are also regularly special events during school holidays, and you can join behind-the-scenes tours. It can get busy at peak times and on rainy days, so it’s well worth pre-booking and there are discounts if you buy online in advance.
Here’s what we thought of a visit to Sea Life London aquarium with kids
Meet Shrek
Shrek fans will love the chance to walk through the world of Far Far Away, meeting some of the famous characters including Princess Fiona and Donkey, as well as Shrek himself.
There’s a challenge to collect ingredients in order to find Shrek and make it home safely, with 10 themed live shows and a 4D flying bus to complete Shrek’s Adventure. Better for primary school aged kids who’ll appreciate the fun than for toddlers and preschoolers.
Keep an eye out too for special events year round, including special guests like Puss in Boots and a Shrek Santa at Christmas.
You can also get combined tickets to other Merlin attractions, including the nearby aquarium or London Eye. Tickets with free cancellation are also available from Get Your Guide.
Explore a Dungeon
One for older and braver kids, a trip to the London Dungeon is a scarily good day out, with live actors whisking you through 1,000 truly alarming years of history, plus plenty of special effects and rides to get your heart racing even faster.
One of a string of locations around the UK, like the other Dungeons, each location has areas themed to suit its own history too. The London Dungeon, for example, brings you face to face with the Great Fire and Sweeney Todd.
Prebooking is strongly advised, with online discounts if you buy your tickets in advance: best for teens and braver tweens. You can also buy combination tickets to other Merlin attractions.
Visit a museum
Even if you limit yourself to river-front museums, there’s quite a choice for art lovers in particular among the things to do on the Thames,
Tate Modern has regularly changing exhibitions including the immense Turbine hall, while Tate Britain has a collection of British art from 1500 onwards – both are free to enter.
Less well-known is the London Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford, near Kew in west London, with its historic engines and some great activities for kids.
Explore a botanic garden
Although the entrances most visitors use for the botanical gardens at Kew are a little way from the river, the Thames actually wraps itself around the huge site so it’s easy to get from the water to the plants.
Don’t miss the wonderful Children’s Garden, as the play area is called, but there’s always something new to discover – I’ve been visiting for over a decade and never get bored.
Check out my tips for exploring Kew Gardens with kids
There are constantly changing exhibitions and themed displays so there’s always something new to find – we’ve found everything from Shaun the Sheep at Kew and the Beano to displays on poisons and spices on our visits. Book tickets in advance, including entry to the Children’s Garden.
See a Buddhist stupa
The 200 acres of Battersea Park have everything from a children’s zoo to a Go Ape course as well as the Peace Pagoda right on the riverfront, one of many around the world built as shrines to world peace.
Experience a Tudor theatre
The famous thatched replica of an original Elizabethan theatre, The Globe is one of the best places to watch Shakespeare, standing under the open skies as theatregoers would once have done.
You can see the theatre from the outside while standing tickets cost as little as £5 to see a performance. You can also take tours of the Globe, including an option to upgrade with afternoon tea.
See a bishop’s palace
Fulham Palace has been the historic home of the Bishops of London since 704 and it’s free to enter and explore, plus information on the site’s very earliest inhabitants dating back around 5,000 years.
Next door Bishop’s Park runs right down to the riverfront with an urban beach, ornamental lake and sculpture garden.
Hear London’s famous bell
One of the iconic symbols of London, the Elizabeth Tower – containing Big Ben, as the Great Bell is known – border the river at Westminster, along with the Palace of Westminster (aka the Houses of Parliament).
The tower has been unveiled once again after a major refurbishment project with tower tours running too – prebooking essential and tickets get snapped up very fast. Suitable for age 8+. You can still book tours of Parliament as well.
Follow a treasure hunt
The Treasure Map Trails collection includes a fun treasure hunt around Twickenham, which takes you along the banks of the Thames near Eel Pie Island – there’s 10% off using the code MUMMYTRAVELS if you book through my link.
And the Treasure Trail collection has a string of options throughout London, with quite a few heading along the riverside for one of the more unusual things to do on the Thames with kids.
Choose from a treasure hunt in Greenwich to a murder mystery in Bankside to a spy mission in Westminster as well as trails for Battersea and Putney Bridges, and the rather pretty section called Strand on the Green at Chiswick.
*First published 2016, updated 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO ON THE THAMES
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Westminster/Blackfriars Bridge images courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
