A Trip on the Thames Clipper

When Patti proposed, for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge, that we focus on cities, I wondered where to start. Busan? Barcelona? Bamberg? Instead, I’ve decided to return to the city where I lived between the ages of five and sixteen, and to which I often return because my son and family live there: London.

We’re going to journey up the Thames, from Woolwich where the imposing flood defences of the Thames Barrier are sited through the city as far as Tower Bridge and Saint Paul’s Cathedral. We’ll travel, as so many tourists and even daily commuters do by Thames Clipper, the city’s very own London bus of the waterways.

Here’s the Thames Barrier, its metal hoods stretched assertively across the river, protecting it from the ravages of high tides and storm. You can read all about it in another post of mine, here.

The Thames Barrier on a grey day.

As our Thames Clipper passes through Greenwich, there’s the Old Royal Naval College, and the famous 19th century tea clipper, the Cutty Sark.

To the left, the Old Royal Naval College. To the right, the Cutty Sark.

Passing through the Docklands, we’re reminded of the city’s industrial past, when this was the area for receiving and despatching goods from all over the world.

Once a busy wharfside storehouse, now elegant apartments

These wharves are now repurposed as sought after apartments. But even with the modern Canary Wharf behind, we shouldn’t forget the Dirty British Barges (sorry, John Masefield) that continue their work of haulage up and down this busy river.

And maintenance works goes on …

Then it’s Westminster. Here’s Westminster Abbey and The Houses of Parliament, but what a shame that my most recent photo has Big Ben bundled up in tarpaulin.

Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament AKA The Palace of Westminster, and a wrapped-up Big Ben

Then it’s the former County Hall, with the London Eye in front.

The London Eye, and County Hall which now houses the London Aquarium.

And on to the beating heart of the city: Tower Bridge, which I have never seen raised, though it still happens often enough. And here too is HMS Belfast, which saw 25 years of service during and after WWII. This most ancient part of London, site of Roman walls, and the Tower of London, is also where London’s most modern high-rises are found.

HMS Belfast with Tower Bridge behind.
The Tower of London with The Gherkin behind.

Are you getting a bit windswept and weather beaten here at Blackfriars Bridge?

It’s raining as we look through the arches of Blackfriars Bridge.

You are? Well, we’ll finish with a miscellany of photos. Enjoy the rest of your day – but just enjoy the view from the Millennium Bridge across to Saint Paul’s Cathedral first.

From the Millennium Bridge to Saint Paul’s on a rainy day.

If London -and the quirkier aspects of its history – interests you, I recommend hopping over to Steve’s blog: A London Miscellany. He’s a mine of useful, and useless-but-fascinating information.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

77 thoughts on “A Trip on the Thames Clipper”

  2. What a wonderful river boat journey. It all looks much nicer from the water. I never even knew you could commute on the Thames until I read a book where the main character did that. The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish.

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      1. Kids are also 50% off in this way too. To be honest I didn’t notice a difference when it changed to Uber, except there seem to be more staff. And the livery all changed of course. I like to ride to Greenwich and walk up to the Royal Observatory. Specially in autumn when there are chestnuts everywhere

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  9. London’s so photogenic, even in the rain. It was the first city we stayed after lockdown. Your header reminded me of my partner’s trip around the workings of Tower Bridge. He was thrilled! I’m not good with heights so didn’t join him.

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    1. I’ve wanted to do that trip for a while, but I’m often there at school holiday time, and in any case i/c small people so I’ve never managed it yet. Was it interesting?

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  10. I’m a big fan of the Clipper, especially as a way to get to Greenwich which is one of my favourite day trips 🙂 If I’m being a picky Londoner I would point out that to recreate an actual journey you should put the Tower and Tower Bridge after Westminster and the London Eye 😏😘

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      1. I read it as being a virtual journey but I know I was being a bit pedantic – a bad habit of mine. The views are lovely, whatever order you present them in 🙂

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  16. A very unique perspective with this one Margaret – I think yours was the only response with images taken from a boat! And what a lovely tour you gave us 😊. You covered a lot of ground and showed us many different aspects of a city I’ve visited several times but never seen from the water. My bad, I shall have to go back! I must admit I am not a fan of the gherkin, which I’ve now seen several times (but never in person). Do the Londoners like it??? I’m guessing much like NYC’s Oculus it has its fans and its detractors!

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    1. Not being a Londoner, I don’t really know what they think of the Gherkin. But I don’t think it’s too negative and I have a sneaking fondness for it too.

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  18. It’s still the city I fell in love with at age 17 and will always have a soft spot for, though I don’t have plans to go back any time soon. I love a city on a river, and Greenwich is a such a showpiece. You have your family very nicely stationed on the edge of 2 great cities, Margaret. Lovely photos, hon.

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  22. What a great idea…to feature the sites on the London waterways tour. I enjoyed our windy tour around London, a city that continues to surprise me with new sites, new discoveries every time I visit. So your son lives there. What a wonderful place to be. My son is there right now! 

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  23. I loved traveling with you on The Tames River, Margaret. This river is deeply intertwined with the history and culture of England. To me, it is a symbol of resilience and adaptation through the ages.

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  24. What a great route to take in so many sights and all from the comfort of a boat. Was it the one with a bar onboard by any chance? Thanks for the plug.

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  25. A nice boat trip, Margaret! Oh, how I miss London…and from the water it looks maybe even more tempting. In fact I will be in England with a friend for some days in July. Going to some castles and gardens – a trip much longed for. But, as it is an organised short tour I will unfortunately not be able to meet up with anyone else. I will always return to England though…

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  27. Even if I see it on a regular basis, I never tire of London viewed from the Thames. For people who come to London for the first time, I always recommend a trip down the river. You get a very good impression of the city with its blend of history and traditions (Tower, St Pauls) combined with the more modern London (South Bank, Canary Wharf, etc). Great photo of Millennium Bridge in front of St Pauls!

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