Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (Westminster to Greenwich)
Forget expensive, slow-moving tourist cruises — riding the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers with contactless or Oyster is London's ultimate river-sightseeing hack for families. Hop on at Westminster Pier and grab seats near the back outdoor deck, or settle inside the high-speed catamaran, which has panoramic windows, tables and an onboard cafe bar serving hot drinks and snacks.
The route down to Greenwich delivers a thrilling speed boost once you pass Tower Bridge, offering a fresh, stress-free vantage point of London's big hits without pushing buggies through crowded pavements.
Key sights to look out for: the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, St Paul's Cathedral, HMS Belfast, sliding directly beneath Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf skyscrapers, and the historic Cutty Sark at Greenwich.
- Tap in with an Oyster or contactless card at the pier gates rather than buying paper tourist tickets at the booth — you'll get standard TfL pay-as-you-go rates.
- Kids aged 5-15 travel half price, and under-5s are completely free.
- For the best views, aim for off-peak weekday mornings.
- Board at the start of the line at Westminster to secure outdoor seating before the mid-route crowds get on at London Eye Pier.
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
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Wicked
Got a drama-loving tween in the family? This Wizard of Oz prequel is a spectacular, belt-it-out musical extravaganza that will absolutely blow their socks off.
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St James's Park Pelican Feeding
Gorgeous royal park next to Buckingham Palace, famous for the resident flock of pelicans living on the lake. The walkable, scootable loop takes in lovely flower beds and plenty of royal sights.
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PAW Patrol London Bus Tour
There are now a bunch of themed afternoon tea experiences held aboard a classic double-decker bus while taking in London's famous landmarks - Peppa, Paw Patrol, Paddington, Smurfs and more. And young fans of the shows love them. Here, each table comes equipped with built-in screens playing custom PAW Patrol animation and singalong missions to keep younger fans entertained (‘Chase is on the CASE’ will be your earworm for weeks). The menu includes sandwiches, sweet treats, pastries, and hot drinks or juice served in travel mugs. The route takes in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square over ninety minutes, making it a fun way to sightsee with pre-schoolers.
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Thames Rockets
This is no calm London sightseeing boat - it's a speedboat ride that blasts James Bond music while you bounce over the waves. Thrill-seeking kids and teens will LOVE it - anyone of nervous disposition might... not. There are times when you're sure the boat will tip (it doesn't!) - the guides are incredibly funny and the kids will scream with joy. The 50-minute ride departs from the London Eye Pier and takes in Big Ben, Shakespeare's Globe, The Shard and Tower Bridge. Once you're past the Bridge, the 880hp engines kick in and you'll hit speeds of up to 35mph, twisting through the Docklands to a pumping soundtrack. It's loud, wet and completely exhilarating. Ponchos and life jackets provided.
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GoBoat
GoBoat lets families take the helm of their own electric picnic boat on London’s canals - it definitely helps transform a simple picnic or birthday outing into a (gentle) mini-adventure. The boats are designed for groups, so it is a fun option when several families want to do something together without committing to a formal tour. Insider tip: bring layers even on a sunny day, keep the food easy to handle and check the weather and skipper requirements carefully before travelling with younger children.
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Race Across the World: The Experience
Inspired by the smash-hit BBC TV show, we LOVED this live West End adventure which pits your family against the clock in a 2-to-3 hour foot race across London. Equipped with a map, a series of puzzle checkpoints, and a strict "virtual budget," teams race through famous landmarks and hidden alleys to reach secret checkpoints without going bankrupt. If bringing younger kids, be aware of their patience levels (and limits: we bought a buggy to extend leg time!) - from our experience, ages 8+ get the best out of it, but there's lots of opportunities to stop the clock and grab snacks or a rest if needed.
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