Les jours raccourcissent et nous commençons lentement mais sûrement à compter les jours jusqu'à Noël, même si l'automne est une période assez excitante le long de la Tamise ! La brume enveloppe doucement la Tour de Londres le matin et laisse place aux couleurs d'automne enchanteresses qui illuminent la Southbank le soir. Ce qui se trouve entre ces deux heures est une journée mystérieuse et aventureuse le long de la Tamise.
Voici quelques-unes de nos activités préférées, de l'extérieur coloré à l'intérieur artistique, de la brume au mystère, de l'excentricité au confort, de l'activité à la détente. Montez à bord et profitez d'une vision différente de l'automne dans le centre de Londres.
Colorée à l'extérieur et artistique à l'intérieur
Coming into autumn, London turns even more colourful than usual. The fabulous green spaces along the river change with the season and Southbank never disappoints with its great variety of art and entertainment. In autumn, the outdoor spaces turn into a painting like setting itself. And when the suns sets the Illuminated River, an open air art installation, adds soft shades of pink, orange and blue onto the river. The best seats on the river to enjoy this spectacular view is on board of The London Showboat, an enjoyable dinner cruise with a delicious 4-course meal, live performance and spectacular views. Some might even call it the “Best night out on the river”
Art galleries and museums along the Southbank are open again. The Tate Modern presents an exhibition on Andy Warhol until 15 Nov 2020 to display “A new look at the extraordinary life and work of the pop art superstar”. A different type of superstar, the “Everyday Heroes” are presented in various open spaces around the Hayward Gallery and the Southbank Centre celebrating key workers in a vivid series of art and poetry commissions. Since 1st September the large-scale displays can be seen for free featuring artists’ inventive approaches to image-making and poetry while reflecting on the everyday heroes who have helped hold society together during this time.
Brumeux et mystérieux
Autumn mist is the best setting to venture out on a more unusual walking tour. The last launch of David Father’s illustrated walking guidebooks “Bloody London” takes an interesting twist to walks in central London and along the Thames. According to the Londonist, the author “invites you to traverse city streets brimming with blood-curdling stories and tragic tales.”
Equally mysterious than the streets of London is the Thames itself. Considered to be dead waters just a couple of years ago, the Thames is now teaming with wildlife. Some 125 types of fish call the Tidal Thames home now. The likes of trout, salmon and pike are amongst the residents as well as eels, which travel as far as the shores of Greenwich. And if you spot a head popping out of the misty autumn Thames, don’t worry, it might be a seal! London Zoo has introduced a Mammal Map for all urban wildlife explorers. Our captains are also contributing to this wildlife tracker on a regular basis, as the wheelhouse is definitely one of the best places to spot wildlife in the Thames.
Actif et réfrigéré
For those who can’t get enough of a certain shiver down their spine, we recommend to get off at Tower Pier and embark on a spooky walk across the City. Free Tours by Foot are offering self-guided or downloadable audio guide tours along the streets of London that where roamed by one of London’s most famous criminals, Jack the Ripper.
However, there is no need to go any further to learn more about criminals and death. Just stay on board and listen to the captain! There are many stories to tell about the Tower of London and our captain knows quite a few. For example: the words “Entry to the Traitor’s Gate” are painted on the river’s north embankment, not far from the pier. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry the Eighth, may be the most famous prisoner who was beheaded on Tower Green.
Excentrique et confortable
While City Cruises captains are not only knowledgeable waterman, they are also “most charming”, to quote customers. However, for those looking for inspiration for Halloween, here are our recommendations of quirky and slightly spooky captains:
1st place: Captain Sparrow, we think:
very eccentric and remarkably well groomed for a pirate!
2nd place: Captain Morgan, we think:
just as one imagines a pirate captain, fully equipped with a “barrel!
3rd place: Sir Francis Drake, we think:
the gentleman pirate and confident of Queen Elizabeth the First, definitely need to be on the list!
An exact replica of the Golden Hinde, the flagship commanded by Sir Francis Drake on his historic voyage around the world can be found nestled amongst the modern buildings on the South Bank. Learn more about the secret mission and the outcome from one of our charming captains on board one of our sightseeing cruises.
Et que serait une croisière inspirée des pirates sans un pub effrayant ! En laissant la rivière derrière vous et en traversant la ville, le Rising Sun, près de St Bartholomew, vaut vraiment la peine d'être visité. On dit qu'il est hanté par les pauvres âmes d'innocents parieurs drogués et assassinés par des bandits qui vendaient les corps à l'hôpital voisin pour la recherche médicale. Une histoire assez sombre, tout comme le Prospect of Whitby. Ce pub historique étonnant, situé sur la rive nord de la Tamise, est également connu pour la corde qui forme une potence juste à l'extérieur de la terrasse du pub, au bord de la rivière. Un détail que l'on peut observer depuis le pont supérieur lors de la croisière du soir en direction de Greenwich. Et oui, il y a une tête humaine dans l'eau ! Enfin, en quelque sorte, c'est l'une des célèbres installations artistiques d'Anthony Gormley. Il n'y a donc pas lieu de s'inquiéter.
Nous sommes prêts à partir
All jokes and spooky stories aside, Health and Safety was always on top of our agenda but like many London attractions, we 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.
Additional content
For more inspiration have a look at our blog on “Indoor things to do in London” or our “Day Out in London” article