Neighbourhood guide · along the river
The Thames from Greenwich to Richmond: historic riverside pubs, the Thames Path, Chelsea Physic Garden and the Royal Hospital, the piers and river boats, and the green western reaches at Hammersmith, Chiswick, Putney and Richmond.
The back story
Rowing clubs and the Boat Race, the bishops’ palace at Fulham, riverside pubs and the elegant Chelsea Embankment.
The back story
From the old taverns of Wapping and Bankside to the riverside pubs of Hammersmith and Richmond, a guide to drinking by the Thames.
Home of the Bishops of London
The former country home of the Bishops of London by the Thames in Fulham, with a museum, walled garden and riverside Bishop’s Park.
Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EAExplore View on map
About 2 miles
A green stretch of the Thames Path from Putney Bridge past the rowing clubs of the Embankment, where the Boat Race starts, with Bishop’s Park and Fulham Palace across the river.
About 1½ miles
A walk along the Chelsea riverside from Chelsea Bridge past the Royal Hospital, the Physic Garden and the houseboats of Cheyne Walk to Battersea Bridge, crossing back over the Albert Bridge.
A Victorian park by the river
A Victorian riverside park opposite Chelsea, with a boating lake, a Peace Pagoda and a children’s zoo.
Battersea Park, SW11 4NJExplore View on map
London’s oldest botanic garden
A walled botanic garden on the Chelsea riverside, established by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in 1673.
66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HSExplore View on map
Home of the Chelsea Pensioners
The Royal Hospital Chelsea, founded by Charles II in 1682 as a home for army veterans, the Chelsea Pensioners, with buildings by Christopher Wren.
Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4SRExplore View on map
A riverside trail through the city
The London stretches of the Thames Path National Trail, which follows the river for about 185 miles from its Cotswold source to south-east London.
Pubs, rowing clubs and Georgian houses
A riverside walk from Hammersmith Bridge along Lower and Upper Mall to Chiswick, past rowing clubs, Georgian houses and old pubs.
Wetlands in a loop of the Thames
A wetland nature reserve in Barnes run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, created from Victorian reservoirs in a loop of the Thames.
Queen Elizabeth Walk, SW13 9WTExplore View on map
Georgian bridge and riverside lawns
The riverside at Richmond, with its Georgian bridge, riverside terraces and lawns, and boats for hire and river trips.
Riverside, RichmondExplore View on map
A view protected by Parliament
The view of the Thames winding through meadows and trees below Richmond Hill, protected by an Act of Parliament since 1902.
Richmond Hill, RichmondExplore View on map
Drake’s galleon on the Thames
A full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Tudor galleon, berthed in St Mary Overie Dock by Southwark Cathedral.
St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DEExplore View on map
A Second World War cruiser
A Royal Navy cruiser from the Second World War, moored on the Thames near Tower Bridge and open to explore.
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2JHExplore View on map
The river bus
Fast river buses calling at 24 piers between Putney in the west and Barking Riverside in the east, paid by contactless or Oyster.
Boarding the river buses
The main central piers for Uber Boat river buses and sightseeing cruises: Westminster, London Eye, Embankment, Bankside, Tower and Greenwich.
London from the water
Narrated sightseeing cruises between Westminster, the Tower and Greenwich, run by operators such as City Cruises and Thames River Sightseeing.
Upriver by boat from Westminster
Seasonal river cruises from Westminster Pier upstream to Kew, Richmond and Hampton Court.
Westminster Pier, Victoria EmbankmentExplore View on map
A speedboat ride on the Thames
Speedboat trips on the Thames from the London Eye Pier, with commentary, past Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf and back.
London Eye Pier, SE1 7PBExplore View on map
Victorian pub on the river
A grand Victorian pub in a Grade II listed building on the Putney riverside, overlooking the start of the Boat Race.
8 Lower Richmond Road, SW15 1JNExplore View on map
By Putney Bridge
A modern pub on Putney Wharf beside Putney Bridge, with views of the Thames.
32 Brewhouse Lane, SW15 2JXExplore View on map
A riverside garden in Fulham
A landmark pub with a large riverside garden on the Thames between Hammersmith and Putney.
Rainville Road, W6 9HAExplore View on map
A Chelsea pub off Cheyne Walk
A historic pub on Lawrence Street, a few steps from Cheyne Walk and the river in Chelsea.
1 Lawrence Street, SW3 5NBExplore View on map
A riverside pub since 1722
A riverside pub on Lower Mall by Hammersmith Bridge, first licensed in 1722.
13 Lower Mall, W6 9DJExplore View on map
A riverside pub on Upper Mall
A Grade II listed Fuller’s pub on Upper Mall in Hammersmith, with a small terrace above the Thames.
19 Upper Mall, W6 9TAExplore View on map
Terrace and balcony on the Thames
A riverside pub on Upper Mall in Hammersmith, with a terrace and upstairs balcony facing the river.
25 Upper Mall, W6 9TDExplore View on map
A pub on the towpath at Chiswick
A historic riverside pub at Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick, with seating beside the Thames and a garden.
27 Strand-on-the-Green, W4 3PHExplore View on map
The pub that floods
A Grade II listed Young’s pub on the riverside at Richmond, known for the high tides that flood its front.
Riverside, Water Lane, TW9 1THExplore View on map
A riverside pub on Bankside
A historic pub on the river at Bankside, between Southwark Bridge and Borough Market, with a terrace facing the City.
34 Park Street, SE1 9EFExplore View on map
A Thames pub in Wapping
An old riverside pub on Wapping Wall, with a pewter-topped bar, flagstone floors and a terrace over the Thames.
57 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SHExplore View on map
The Pilgrim Fathers’ pub
A historic pub on the river at Rotherhithe, near the spot where the Mayflower sailed for America in 1620.
117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NFExplore View on map
A Thames pub in Limehouse
A narrow old riverside pub on Narrow Street in Limehouse, known to Charles Dickens and co-owned by the actor Sir Ian McKellen.
76 Narrow Street, E14 8BPExplore View on map
An 1837 tavern beside the Royal Naval College
A Grade II listed tavern of 1837 on the Thames at Greenwich, beside the Old Royal Naval College.
Park Row, SE10 9NWExplore View on map
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