Days grow shorter and we slowly but surely start counting the days to Christmas even if autumn is a quite an exciting time along the Thames!
Mist gently wraps around The Tower of London in the morning and gives way to the enchanting autumn colours that brighten up the Southbank in the evening. What lies between these hours is a mysterious and adventurous day out along the Thames.

Here are some of our favourite things to do, from colourful outdoor to artistic indoors, misty to mysterious, quirky to cosy, and active to chilled. Jump aboard and enjoy the different views of autumn in Central London.

Colourful Outdoors and Artistic Indoors

Op de drempel van de herfst wordt Londen nog kleurrijker dan gewoonlijk. De prachtige groene ruimten langs de rivier veranderen met het seizoen mee en Southbank stelt nooit teleur met zijn grote verscheidenheid aan kunst en entertainment. In de herfst veranderen de buitenruimtes zelf in een schilderijachtige omgeving. En als de zon ondergaat voegt de Illuminated River, een kunstinstallatie in de open lucht, zachte tinten roze, oranje en blauw toe aan de rivier. De beste plaatsen op de rivier om van dit spectaculaire uitzicht te genieten zijn aan boord van The London Showboat, een gezellige dinercruise met een heerlijk 4-gangenmenu, live optredens en een spectaculair uitzicht. Sommigen noemen het zelfs de "Beste avond uit op de rivier".

Art galleries and museums along the Southbank like Tate Modern offer special exhibitions during the autumn months, such as the ever popular Andy Warhol back in 2020. Poke around and see what’s in-store that can inspire you creatively or spookily. Another great option is visiting Madame Tussauds in London, home to lifelike wax figures of celebrities. While the experience is cool to see, it can also be a creepy addition to your plans in the area.

The Streets of London Are… Misty and Mysterious

Autumn mist is the best setting to venture out on a more unusual walking tour. The last launch of David Father’s illustrated walking guidebook “Bloody London” takes an interesting twist to walks in central London and along the Thames. According to the Londonist, the author “invites you to traverse city streets brimming with blood-curdling stories and tragic tales.”

Equally mysterious than the streets of London is the Thames itself. Considered to be dead waters just a couple of years ago, the Thames is now teaming with wildlife. Some 125 types of fish call the Tidal Thames home now. The likes of trout, salmon, and pike are amongst the residents as well as eels, which travel as far as the shores of Greenwich. And if you spot a head popping out of the misty autumn Thames, don’t worry, it might be a seal! London Zoo has introduced a Mammal Map for all urban wildlife explorers. Our captains are also contributing to this wildlife tracker on a regular basis, as the wheelhouse is definitely one of the best places to spot wildlife in the Thames.

Active and Chilled: Tours of London’s Spooky History

For those who can’t get enough of a certain shiver down their spine, we recommend to get off at Tower Pier and embark on a spooky walk across the City. Free Tours by Foot are offering self-guided or downloadable audio guide tours along the streets of London that where roamed by one of London’s most famous criminals, Jack the Ripper.

However, there is no need to go any further than a City Cruises sightseeing tour to learn more about criminals and death. Just stay on board and listen to the captain! There are many stories to tell about the Tower of London and our captain knows quite a few. For example: the words “Entry to the Traitor’s Gate” are painted on the river’s north embankment, not far from the pier. Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry the Eighth, may be the most famous prisoner who was beheaded on Tower Green.

Quirky and Cosy on the River Thames

While Stadsrondvaarten captains are not only knowledgeable waterman, they are also “most charming”, to quote customers. Enjoy your time on the water as they enchant you with their tales. An exact replica of the Golden Hinde, the flagship commanded by Sir Francis Drake on his historic voyage around the world can be found nestled amongst the modern buildings on the South Bank. Learn more about the secret mission and the outcome from one of our charming captains on board one of our sightseeing cruises.

En wat zou een op piraten geïnspireerde cruise zijn zonder een spookachtige pub! Als je de rivier achter je laat en de stad doorkruist, is The Rising Sun bij St Bartholomew's zeker de wandeling waard. Er wordt gezegd dat het hier spookt door de arme zielen van onschuldige gokkers die werden gedrogeerd en vermoord door bandieten die de lichamen verkochten aan het nabijgelegen ziekenhuis voor medisch onderzoek. Een behoorlijk somber verhaal, net als de Prospect of Whitby. Een verbazingwekkende historische pub aan de noordelijke oever van de Theems, staat ook bekend om het touw dat een galg vormt net buiten het terras aan de rivierzijde van de pub. Een detail dat je het beste kunt zien vanaf ons bovendek tijdens de avondcruise op weg naar Greenwich. En ja, er ligt een menselijk hoofd in het water! Nou ja, soort van, het is een van de beroemde kunstinstallaties van Anthony Gormley. Dus maak je geen zorgen.

We’re Good to Go for Some Spooky Fun in England’s Capital

All jokes and spooky stories aside, Health and Safety was always on top of our agenda but like many London attractions, we have introduced extended cleaning regimes. The safety standards of Visit Britain’s “We’re Good to Go” and the AA’s “Covid-19 confident” make sure visitors can trust that all precautions were taken to apply the government advice. City Cruises has earned both of these renowned tourism standards and continues these high standards today.

Oorspronkelijke postdatum: 21 oktober 2020