What a strange year 2020 has been for all of us. Whilst we enjoyed time together with our families, for some of us this also included a fair amount of home-schooling. From Sudoku style maths exercises to home baking and PE in the back garden or the nearby park, we have all maxed out the activities you can do at home. Luckily, we can once again venture out, while of course respecting government advice.
London awaits, with all its secret places, curious stories, varied history and impressive landmarks. What better way is there to see it all from the comfort and safety of a river cruise boat.
Here are our 5 favourite things to do for families in London along the river.:
- “I spy” on the river
Home-schooling was yesterday, this is “boat-schooling” and it’s all a great adventure. Do you know the story about an American buying Tower Bridge… or did he? How high is Big Ben and St Pauls put together? What does a Fire Boat look like? Stop Googling and start spotting. City Cruises has put together a Kids Activity Book, download it for free and get quizzing on board. asyoung explorers go free! Up to 3 kids go free when travelling with two adults with the City Cruises family hop-on hop-off river pass.
- Child-friendly walks
Get off the boat at Tower Pier and start an urban adventure walk along the riverbanks or into the City. Kids can spot the Dragon that marks the boundaries into the City of London, learn about Roman forts in the middle of London’s financial heart and see where the great fire of London started. Free Tours by Foot take you along the river and tell you more about the routes from the City to Tower of London or Westminster to the London Eye.
- A day out in “London by the sea” in Maritime Greenwich
It’s time to visit Greenwich. Why? Well, it’s home to the Meridian Line, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, and many more family-friendly attractions. Greenwich Market and the Royal Greenwich Park make it the perfect setting for a real day out with plenty of space for self-distancing. Check out family friendly activities in Greenwich and start a truly “maritime weekend” by sailing down the river with City Cruises.
- Re-discover some of London’s most amazing places
The best time to re-discover Central London is now. A lot of museums and attractions are open again like the Tate, The View from the Shard, the National Gallery and The London Eye, just to name a few. Download the Visit London App and start your tour to re-discover your London. Too much on the agenda? Just hop on and off our boats to see everything you want along the river. While your travelling to the next attraction enjoy a sandwich on the top deck and relax while you are sailing to your next destination.
- Relive or create new memories!
The best part of a day out as a family is creating new or reliving memories. Re-discover YOUR London. Create new memories, or if you’re not ready to travel yet to central London, share your favourite throwback pictures of your good times on the river with us by including the hashtag, #LondonMemories.
Getting around safe and sound
Londoners are re-claiming their city under the motto #becauseiamalondoner. All the usual public transport routes are open to bring you intoCentral London. Once you are here, why not skip the tube or the bus and cycle, walk or take a river boat to reach where you would like to go. City Cruises operates from Westminster, London Eye and Tower pier, just a short stroll away from main train stations of Waterloo, Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Cannon Street.
Health and Safety always on top of our agenda
Many attractions, including City Cruises, have introduced extended cleaning regimes. The safety standards of Visit Britain’s ”We’re Good to Go” and the AA’s “Covid-19 confident” make sure visitors can trust that all precautions were taken to apply the government advice. City Cruises has earned both of these renowned tourism standards and has also adjusted operations to provide social distancing and additional hygiene protocols. For more details please watch our health and safety video.