A capital winter’s day out

Glide gently, thus for ever glide, O Thames: William Wordsworth

I thought I knew London; however, I got a totally different perspective, not seen by foot, taxi, or bus, going with the flow on the noble Thames – the very heart of our capital city.

On a sunny, cold winter’s day I’m able to sit back and relax enjoying the river’s sights and smells on this leisurely sightseeing cruise.

It proved very easy join the hop-on and hop-off service from any of their four piers (Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich) departing every half an hour, every day, all year round.

There are amazing panoramic views from the open air upper deck of City Cruise’s new flagship, the Millennium Diamond. It was lovely too, retreating into her warm comfortable saloon with comfortable seating, bars serving a range of hot drinks, snacks and full toilet facilities.

All the passengers are treated to an amusing informative commentary, covering the 2000 years of the river’s history, delivered slowly and clearly by a young cockney waterman.

Did you know the Romans named Tameisis, meaning dark? The river was the safest way for royalty to travel around the capital? Or why the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf are so called?
In the thirty minutes it took to get to Greenwich we passed the majestic Houses of Parliament, St Pauls Cathedral, the ancient Tower of London with its gruesome history and the underbelly of the famous Tower Bridge.

After the docking at I was spoilt for choice. Where should I visit; the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory the Royal Naval College and the newly restored Cutty Sark? I chose the impressive sole surviving tea-clipper find out what life was like at sea a century ago.

The return journey on the meandering river was equally impressive. As the sun went down, the lights of the city shone giving a magical view of London Bridge and Europe’s tallest building, the Shard.

It is a stress-free, good value day out for all the family with discounts for seniors and a range of deals on famous sights.

by Rowena Cooper – Mature Times travel writer

To find out more about visit: www.citycruises.com