It’s Thames Time in Greenwich this Autumn!

The autumn is perfect for good times on the Thames, and nowhere in London makes better use of the river than Greenwich. You’ll find watery wonders all along the Borough’s unrivalled 8.5 miles of Thames frontage. From sightseeing cruises to handsome Georgian pubs, linear parks and superb cycling infrastructure, there are so many ways to enjoy the river in Greenwich this season!

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Take to the thames

Greenwich offers some brilliant ways to actually get out on the Thames to see the sights. There’s City Cruises, for starters. Take their comfy, open-top boats out onto the water when the weather’s warm and choose from a variety of different cruises. There are sightseeing cruises, evening cruises, and even afternoon tea, dinner and jazz cruises – each perfect ways to dream away a few hours on London’s great waterway.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers also offer great ways to see the unmissable Greenwich sights that lie alongside the Thames, including the Old Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark and The O2. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is currently offering a ‘Wren 300’ ticket, combining a river cruise with entry to both St Paul’s Cathedral and the Old Royal Naval College, marking the 300^th anniversary of the death of their architect, Sir Christopher Wren.

Those with a desire for waterborne adventure can opt to see the river in either a more exciting or a more personalised way. Thamesjet Speedboat and the Thames RIB Experience are for the adrenaline junkies, while Thames Limo offers the bespoke luxury its name suggests.

Thamesjet, run by City Cruises, is a pulse-quickening, fifty-minute speedboat ride between Westminster Pier and Canary Wharf. Thames RIB Experience offers rigid inflatable boat (RIB) rides including the Thames Barrier Experience, Ultimate Tower RIB Blast and Tower Beast Ride, each of which pass by (and through!) some iconic Greenwich landmarks.

Thames Limo, altogether a more sedate, luxury experience, offers trips along the river and through the Thames Barrier, plus private transfers for events at The O2.

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Refreshment by the riverside

Greenwich is also renowned in London as the place to be to enjoy food and drink by the riverside. The Trafalgar Tavern is one of the jewels in the Maritime Greenwich crown – a handsome, Georgian, Thames-side tavern with broad decks for enjoying splendid pub fare, local ales and carefully selected wines. Similar delights can be found at The Oystercatcher, The Sail Loft, The Old Brewery and The Cutty Sark.

Further east, Greenwich Peninsula shouldn’t be forgotten. To start with, there’s Enderby House – another Georgian tavern on the Thames that overlooks historic Enderby Wharf. Further downriver, you’ll encounter the wonderful craft-beer tap room Brew by Numbers and (not quite on the river, but within the sound of a ship’s bell!) The Pilot – probably the oldest surviving building on Greenwich Peninsula.

And the historic district of Woolwich, further east again, has more, again to offer. Its outstanding pubs in Royal Arsenal Riverside, Dial Arch and The Guard House, are delightful, traditional boozers where you can wash down fish and chips with hand-pulled ales while the river air plays on your face.

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Sensations on the shore

There are find plenty of riverside attractions and experiences to fill autumnal days in Greenwich. History and sailing buffs can explore the Cutty Sark, even clambering aloft for the rig climb experience. Afterwards, there’s the Old Royal Naval College, built by Sir Christopher Wren and featuring the stunning Painted Hall, aka ‘England’s Sistine Chapel’. Golfers can work on their long game at the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Driving Range, and their short one at CrazyPutt Adventure Golf. Next door, Up at The O2 offers startling views of the river and the city beyond.

For another view of the Thames, head to the Thames Barrier Information Centre to explore the engineering marvel that protects London from tidal flooding. As the day draws to a close, check out what’s on at Woolwich Works, London’s newest multi-disciplinary cultural hub, then finish things off with a drink at its ‘beach bar’, Rumpypumpy. Both are riverside, and easily accessed on the Elizabeth Line.

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Above and below the Thames

Lastly, don’t forget that you can enjoy the Thames from above and below, too! The IFS Cloud cable car, climbing to a gasp-inducing 90m above the surface of the Thames, offers classic views of the river, Greenwich, Canary Wharf and the City of London.

And, while you obviously can’t see the river, the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels are unique ways to cross the Thames and explore riverside neighbourhoods. The Greenwich Foot Tunnel, running 370m underneath the mighty river, offers a unique way to walk to Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs, where you can see the view of Greenwich immortalised by Canaletto (pictured above).

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Riverside events

Wherever you are, on or near to the river, there are so many events and activities to enjoy. Use the What’s On to plan your best time in Greenwich.

By Hugh McNaughtan