Posts filed under ‘River Thames’
A guide to Thames Speed Boat Charters in London
The Thames until relatively recently was a slow and tranquil place where tripping and charter boats slowly cruised up and down the river whilst people enjoyed the sights gliding past. Over the past few years there has been a growing fleet of high-speed river buses and small speed boats, RIB’s and jet boats on the Thames in London.
This has brought a new element to the traditional river boats and London party boats; a new fast, adrenaline fueled, fun angle for enjoying the beautiful River Thames as it carves it’s way through the heart of the City.
So when looking to charter a speed boat on the Thames in London, try out the jet boat experience, or RIB blasts what do you need to be aware of…?
Numbers: Most of the speed boats on the River Thames in London cater for up to 12 passengers, but some of the smaller speed boats can only cater for up to 6 or 8 passengers. The biggest jet boat can hold 20.
One thing to note – the less people in the boat the faster it goes… simple physics! If you are having a private charter discourage everyone from joining you, particularly with the Jet boat, and everything is faster and more ‘interesting’…
Saying that the boats have vast engines so are more than capable of providing high-speed fun when loaded, they are just more maneuverable when lighter.
The Weather: most of the speed boats are open with no covered areas making the unpredictable British Weather of a higher importance. There are solutions – a speed boat or powerboat with a cabin or the more popular one – waterproofs! The open speed boats and jet boats on the Thames all offer loan of yachting waterproofs for occasions where the weather is not behaving. These are generally included in the hire fee.
Facilities: the nature of a speed boat charter on the Thames means it is usually brief – i.e around an hour in total. Therefore most have few facilities. For example unless you charter a luxury powerboat or traditional wooden boat they are unlikely to have toilets or the option of drinks and catering…
Time: Most are not able to go out on charter after sunset. It depends on the boat here. A good rule of thumb is if they have facilities such as toilets, food and drinks then they will be available for charters after dark. Generally the smaller boats are restricted.
Cost: The charters are often quite short which sometimes means the rates are ‘lower’ than on the larger London party boats. However in general speed boats are expensive to charter due to the fact they don’t hold many people, have no facilities to cross and up-sell other services and use a lot of fuel. They have to be money making to continue so please bear this in mind.
Type of experience: From a candle lit dinner to 360 degree spins there is a Thames speed boat for almost every occasion. If speed and adrenaline are key then nothing beats the Jet Boat experience, but if a more sedate evening of private luxury is sought then a powerboat or traditional wooden speed boat offer pure style and sophistication.
Boats: There are many styles of fast boats for hire on the River Thames in London. There are open RIB style speed boats, James bond style powerboats, traditional wooden cabin speed boats and High-power Jet Boats for the ultimate thrill ride experience.
- Thames Speed boats
- London Jet Boats for Hire
- London RIB Charters
- Traditional Thames speed boat
- London Powerboats for hire – James Bond style
I hope this guide has been useful – more info on boating on the River Thames in London can be found in the many articles below.
Summer Cruising on the River Thames
Now the warm sunny weather has arrived a charter on a Thames party boat provides a pleasant fresh and invigorating environment amongst the busy parks, river banks and stuffy streets of London.
The River Thames calves it’s way right through the heart of the bustling City. It provides a large and uncluttered arena for London’s boats to cruise, providing space from the crowds on the embankments, parks and adjacent streets.
The Thames generally has more air movement as well making it a much cooler fresher and more pleasant place to relax. You can unwind along the many embankment bars and restaurants, but to really get the full effect nothing beats a Thames boat charter. There are few more pleasant options in the City to escape the air conditioned offices, stuffy streets and noisy overcrowded parks.
If you are looking to charter a boat on the Thames in London this summer make sure you consider all the elements to ensure you and your guests have a perfect charter – no matter what the British weather does on the day!
The summertime presents many alternative interesting options for your party boat hire. With a little more warmth and longer evenings popular choices could be; to have a barbecue on the boat instead of a more standard buffet or seated meal, drinks – Pimms instantly springs to mind, but cocktails are also very popular. With the longer warmer evenings guests can enjoy the outer decks so make sure the Thames boat you hire has plenty of outside space for your party size. Some boats even have opening roof sections so you can dance under the stars as the night wears on safe in the knowledge that bad weather can be quickly shut outside!
The key thing to get the most from your summer Thames boat charter is to ensure you have the right boat for your numbers and desired party. There is no point selecting a small boat with no outside space if everyone is going to want to be outside, similarly a small boat with less inside space could be equally frustrating if it is cold or wet. Make sure you view before booking your Thames party boat and really a minimum of 3 boats is advisable.
More info below…
Boating on the River Thames in London
A boat trip on the river Thames is one of the most amazing experiences you can have in London. The river is an ever changing landscape the water level rising and falling with the tide and the light reflecting on the boats and buildings. At night it gets even better where the multi-million pound interactive lighting system illuminates the World’s most famous buildings and bridges in an ever changing array of colours.
Sights such as Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf all look as arguably more spectacular at night than they do by day. Great if you were thinking of treating someone special to a dinner cruise.
The types of boats available to hire on the river Thames are as varied as the sights! From RIB speed boats to London Party Boats for hire through to sailing barges all offering as many different activities for entertainment! Clay pigeon shooting, London jet boat rides, casino nights, disco cruises, wedding receptions Christmas parties and other seasonal celebrations.
The thing to remember to make the most of your boat trip on the river Thames is to plan ahead. Make sure you work out exactly what you want and search the many companies, view a selection of Thames Boats for hire and ensure you ask all the questions. After all on the day you want to relax and enjoy your charter not be worrying about every last detail…
Will the British weather affect my Thames Boat Charter?
Our traditionally unpredictable weather becomes incredibly important to you when you have a boat charter on the Thames booked! Instead of a passing glance at the summary forecast on the GMTV news over breakfast before leaving to fight your way on to the bus or tube you will find yourself scanning the detailed BBC local forecast online to try and work out whether that one little cloud is going to move over London during your Thames cruise!!!
But do not fear as wind and rain is not the end of the world, and equally hot sunny weather can be fully exploited as many boats have plenty of space undercover and out in the open, particularly the larger Thames passenger boats and London Party Boats. Most also have full central heating systems and some even air conditioning!
The key is to ensure when you select your boat before you confirm the charter that the boat is suitable for the number of guests if the weather is good or bad. Good weather can also cause problems if you have booked a London Party Boat with very small outside deck space as people all want to be outside soaking up the rays and there just isn’t the space. When you talk to the sales person and view the boats make sure you know how many can fit inside and outside comfortably – add smoking to the equation and covered outside deck space may also be an important consideration…
If you have chartered a speed boat or London Jet Boat or are joining the Thames Jet Boat experience then you will already be expecting a damp ride and waterproofs are provided – so poor whether shouldn’t be seen as much of a problem – just have a hot chocolate at a near by cafe when you get off the boat! If it is cold I would however highly recommend hat and gloves. If you feel cold when you step out of the front door this is heavily intensified when on a boat on water travelling at speed, so bring too many warm clothes – they can always stay in your bag. A good analogy to use with guests is to say, “on a cold wet morning you wouldn’t ride a motorbike down the motorway for an hour in a t-shirt would you!” Well sitting on a speed boat for an hour could be classed as similar…
However not wanting to put you off – if you have the right clothing you can really enjoy the fun of blasting along the river wrapped up snug and cosy, sat with your friends whilst viewing our beautiful city from one of the most exclusive seats in London.
If you have your wedding on a boat the weather becomes less important – imagine that field and marquee with all those heels sunk into the mud! A 5* luxury Thames riverboat is simply the nicest place to be if the weather has turned bad or indeed is beautiful bright sunshine on your most special day – a truly unique wedding venue.
So in summary before booking your boat charter on the Thames in London consider how different weather conditions will affect the people onboard – plan ahead and it won’t matter what the forecast and actual weather turn out to be as everyone will enjoy themselves and look forward to the next time.
The Tidal River Thames
The River Thames in London flows both ways!
This is not technically correct it always flows from source to mouth, but because it is actually tidal all the way from the sea to Teddington where the first lock can be found it does flow in as well as out!
The tide is effectively the rise and fall of the sea (river) caused by gravitational forces as the Earth spins – more here: Tide explained on Wikipedia
As the tide out at the coast rises and falls it affects the rivers and in London actually causes a 5-7metre twice daily rise and fall. As you can imagine this is a large amount of water to be removed and added which results in some very strong currents downstream with the flow and then upstream when the tide is rising.
This has a huge affect on all that surrounds the river, both visually and on navigation. The amount of water affects what the fixed walls, buildings and piers look like and the change of direction of flow and strong currents controls navigation and boat movements.
Example images of the tidal affect on the appearance of London’s landmarks
The tide affects the speed the London Party Boats and Thames Passenger Boats can travel on the river. When going with the flow of the tide they can travel faster and when against the tide often around half the speed. This is obviously not a problem if you are in a speed boat, or Jet boat, but slower vessels travelling larger distances can have at least double the journey time, and of course increased fuel costs, all as a result of the tide.
Above Teddington lock all is peaceful with a steady predictable and controlled flow where the tide has no affect, it is only below the lock where it can be more interesting. Where the wind is against the direction of the tide the water is whipped up causing it to be a little bumpier – fine on the larger Thames boats, but no fun in a small sailing dinghy! Swimming in the river is therefore obviously not advised particularly when the tide is flowing at it’s strongest.
The tide can also be useful – when one of the last remaining Concorde’s had to be relocated from Hammersmith to Scotland a barge was brought up the river through London using the low tides to navigate under the bridges. This feet of planning was only possible over 2 separate tides for both the inbound and outbound journey!
Due to the tide the River Thames in London is a diverse and ever changing exciting location – untamed by human activity right in the heart of the City.
Wedding Reception on a London Party Boat?
The planning of your most special day often can be your biggest headache! With so many venues available and many adding extra £,0′s to their prices as soon as you mention the word ‘wedding reception’ this often is a time of immense frustration, and you aren’t even married yet!
So do you get married abroad with guaranteed good weather, hire a marquee, book your local village hall or base around a hotel? Or do you want something a little different for your special day…
Finding a unique venue for your wedding reception that will be simple to organise, enjoyable for all and not have additional £,000′s added just because it’s your wedding is possible! Have you considered a London Party Boat?
There are some exceptionally pretty London Party Boats on the River Thames in London which a few couples in the know have used for their wedding receptions, wedding transfers and after parties. A boat charter on the Thames in London is not just about the boat though…
A trip down the River Thames in London provides you with one of the prettiest backdrops in the UK with stunning historic architecture mixed with quirky modern design, a multimillion pound interactive lighting system, World famous bridges and attractions. Add to this your very own luxury Thames boat charter, exquisite wines, your nearest and dearest, fine dining, entertainers and of course a photographer or two!
The other advantage is that the you don’t need to worry about the weather in fact most of the boats have covered outside deck spaces. A bit of rain even adds to the intensity and romance of the cruise.
In summary – an intensely romantic, guaranteed memorable, affordable and genuinely unique location for a wedding reception – a London Party Boat.
Charter a Boat this summer on the River Thames
Summer time in London can be hot, sticky and uncomfortable. With crammed tubes and buses, boiling temperatures outside and freezing air conditioning inside the fresh air and space on and around the River Thames attracts people in their thousands. Riverside bars and pubs heave with punters, but to really get away and enjoy the fresh air and get a breeze the only answer is to get out on a boat.
There are several permanently moored ships which provide pub style open deck fun on the Embankment at Charring Cross. The two that instantly spring to mind are the Tattershall Castle opposite the London Eye and the Queen Mary which is only a few 100m further down the North bank. They do get very busy though, for the obvious reasons!
If you have a group then a Thames riverboat disco cruise is great fun, + you can usually smoke on the outside decks…
The ultimate is to charter your own London party boat and there are a lot to choose from. Personally I would recommend one with a signisicant amount of outside deck space. For example the Erasmus has as much outside deck space as internal deck space so if the British weather does it’s thing it won’t ruin your party. Of course if it is a glorious evening then everyone onbaord has the option to get outside too….
The Elizabethan is an incredibly elegant vessel, but one of the best for the summer time. She has a companion way circling the entire vessel so guests can simply hang on the rail sipping a cocktail. Over her dance floor is a retractable roof so you can dance under the stars as the night rolls on. Each boat really has it’s own unique options. As I said earlier though I would avoid boats with n, or limited outside deck space and similarly those which are mainly open – you never know what the weather is going to do!
For drinks why not the classic Pimms on reception as guests board, or maybe a Pink Champagne or sparkling Rose. Alcoholic Punch or cocktails are also lots of fun and get everyone in the mood!
With regard to catering you may want to consider a barbecue, very seasonal again for obvious reason, but a great way to really get that summer feeling into your London boat party.
Another fun idea is to charter a London Jet Boat or maybe a RIB, as these fast speed boats really get the wind whistling through your hair. If you have a larger party and are planning to charter a larger Luxury Charter Boat you can always have the speed boat come alongside at a pier and take small groups out for 15 minute blasts. Always goes down well with the gents!
If you would like any further information please drop a comment on the bottom of this blog.
Thanks
Websites that provide information on the River Thames
Here is a list of websites that provide genuinely intersting information on a variety of topics surrounding the River Thames.
Wikipedia: River Thames – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Port of London Authority: http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/
British Waterways (not technically the Thames, but oversee the connecting waterways): http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/home/index.html
Watercape – part of British Waterways: http://www.waterscape.com/
Environment Agency: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/thames/
The River Thames Guide: http://www.riverthames.co.uk/
Movie clips from Filming on the River Thames: http://www.livettslaunches.co.uk/page/2.57.html
The River Thames Society: http://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/index.htm
Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide: http://thames.me.uk/index.htm
What the Thames was like in the Bronze Age: http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/snapshot_bronze.html
Conciege Thames Bridges Videos: http://video.concierge.com/?fr_story=1013f8b6bfae204f300fc98bf2ba87feec125b4f&rf=sitemap
Discover the River Thames: http://www.visitthames.co.uk/
Please let me know if you would like your link here.
Websites with information on boats on the River Thames in London
The following websites will help you find information on the River Thames in London, boats for hire and private charter:
River Thames:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Thames#External_links
http://www.portoflondon.co.uk
http://www.tfl.gov.uk
London Speed Boats:
http://www.londonspeedboats.co.uk/
http://www.thamesspeedboats.co.uk/
http://www.thamesspeedboathire.co.uk/
http://www.londonjetboats.co.uk/
http://www.thamesjetboats.co.uk/
London Party Boats:
http://www.londonpartyboat.co.uk/
http://www.partyboatlondon.co.uk/
Thames Boat Hire:
http://www.boathirelondon.co.uk/
Marine Filming:
http://www.filmlondon.org.uk
http://www.livettslaunches.co.uk/page/2.55.html
http://www.divingservicesuk.com
http://www.theknowledgeonline.com
Please let me know any more I can add to this list.
A guide to boats for hire on the river Thames in London
There are a wide range of different boats for hire on the Thames in London. Depending on the type of boat party or celebration you are looking to host on the river Thames in London there are a wide range of different styles of boats available to charter.
Here is a list of a selection of boats available to hire grouped by style.
Speed boats
If you are looking for a speed boat to hire there are many different options available including the most incredible adrenaline rush – a London Jet Boat Experience!
- Voyager RIB’s
- Jet Boat
- Fletcher Arrowhawk
- Lima Lima II
Luxury Powerboats
Moving up from small speed boats their are a number of large luxury powerboats / superyachts available for charter on the Thames. Ideal for important business meetings, corporate entertaining and intimate celebrations for smaller groups these craft push the boundaries of service, quality and luxury.
- Princess V48
- Zephyr / Zodiac
- Rum Jungle
Small Launches
Often a simple river transfer from one part of London to a venue and back is considered to avoid London’s busy transport network. There are several small launches suitable for such transfers and very reasonably priced when compared with other ways of transporting larger numbers in a group around London!
- Thames Swift
- John Harriot
- Cabot
Large Launches
Getting a larger group from one place to another in London can be a complete nightmare. A boat is a simple and cost effective solution and even adds another element to the event. For larger parties it can be efficient to charter a private passenger vessel or a Thames river bus. Here are a few options:
- Thames Clipper
- Sarpedon
- Sapele
- Edwardian
- Golden Salamander
London Party Boats
There is a simply massive selection of party boats for hire on the Thames in London. Choosing which one suits you can be a bit of a headache – should you pay the extra money for one boat – is it worth it?
Here are a list of a selection of ‘approved’ London Party Boats which are generally considered good value for money. Note these boats are not comparable by size or standard, but value for money. If a boat is not included that you feel should be please reply to the thread.
- Havengore
- High Society
- Spirit of London
- Edwardian
- Golden Salamander
- Elizabethan
- Erasmus
- Silver Barracuda
- Silver Sturgeon
- Dixie Queen
For further information on hiring a boat on the river Thames in London see: Boat Hire London
I hope this information has been useful?
