Boat trips on the River Thames

The River Thames offers so much history along its banks. To truly enjoy sightseeing on the River Thames then sit back and let someone else take the helm! Sit and relax as beautiful scenery glides by on a River Thames boat trip or cruise and enjoy the commentary on the sights along the river!

Passenger Boat Trips

Passenger boat operators offer a variety including day trips, round trips, stopping or one-way services. As well as the scheduled services, you might enjoy a themed river cruise. Choose from a spot of sightseeing with wildlife watching or party nights and seasonal day trips, to name but a few!

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The main cruising season for the non-tidal Thames (outside of London) is April-September but each operator may have sailings and cruises outside of this time including special events so please check availability with the business.

Here's some of the key boat operators along the Thames:

Oxford: Salters Steamers

Reading: Thames Rivercruise

Henley: Hobbs of Henley

Windsor, Maidenhead and Runnymede: French Brothers

London to Greenwich: City Cruises

Themed Public Cruises

There are so many choices for boat trips on the Thames. Choose from jazz cruises, wildlife cruises, children's cruises and more. See the list below to see what's available.

A selection of Boat Trips on the Thames currently available at various locations including: 

Salters Steamers, boat trips from Oxford and Marlow , Alice in Wonderland Cruise and Lunchtime Picnic Cruise.

Thames Rivercruise, Reading  is offering 45/60/90 minute cruises and Wednesday and Saturday Evening Sundowner Fizz Cruises.

• Thames Experience 45 Minute Round Trip Cruise - Take a look at the riverside homes, countryside and the Thames as it passes through Reading with refreshments on board as you watch the wildlife pass as the boat glides along the Thames.
• Thames Experience 60 Minute Round Trip Cruise – Ideal for families, it leaves Caversham behind and heads to the countryside reaching two islands – Apletree Eyot and Poplar Island.
• Thames Explorer 90 Minute Round Trip Cruise -  Cruise from Caversham Pier through twists and turns to Mapledurham Lock and Weir. This is the river as it should be, tranquil and stunning in Wind in the Willows Country.

All above: weekends from 1 April to 29 October, daily Easter Holiday, May Half Term and School Summer Holiday 24 Jul-1 Sep (no cruises 21-29 Aug). 

• Other cruises: Shiplake or Goring Cream Tea Cruise, Goring Circular Cruise, Oktoberfest Sun Downer Cruise, Fireworks on the Thames (Mapledurham and Reading), Afternoon Tea, Sunday Lunch or Saturday Sundowner Cruises.

Hobbs of Henley operates 1 and 2 hour cruises from Henley and themed ticketed cruises.

• Traditional Jazz Cruises on the Thames – Enjoy the sounds of a traditional jazz band on a three hour cruise with a cash bar for the purchases of drinks.
• Vintage Themed Afternoon Tea Cruise – Cruise the Thames on one of the most spectacular vessels, The New Orleans and sample the most incredible afternoon tea whilst doing so!
• Purdy's Gin and Jazz Cruise – Aboard The New Orleans, is the incredible singer/songwriter Purdy and her band who will be providing sultry Jazz under the stars. Ticket includes a Mr Hobbs G&T on arrival, a fabulous buffet menu from Chris Burns Catering and the beautiful Jazz by Purdy and her band. 
• Madhatter’s Vintage Tea Party –  Enjoy national Mad Hatter's Day with a vintage afternoon tea with a difference! The boat will be themed as a Mad Hatter's Tea Party and will include little gin treats such as a 'Drink me' bottle for each guest and 'eat me' Gin sweet treats!  This is an over 18's event. 
• Christmas cruises - Christmas Lunch and Christmas Party Night cruises.
• Santa Cruises - The brilliant Bertie Slippers will have everyone roaring with laughter and he will be adding some magic, balloons and puppets to the children’s entertainment and Santa will be in his grotto bearing gifts for all the children!  
• Wine & Cheese Tasting Cruise 
• King Charles Coronation Cruises - A Right Royal Knees Up! With DJ One Deck on the decks playing songs to get you up and dancing you can be assured of a great evening celebrating our Kings Coronation. Or, A Royal Afternoon Tea aboard The New Orleans celebratingKing Charles's Coronation with us aboard The New Orleans for a quintessential Afternoon Tea from the award winning Time for Tea where there will of course be Coronation Chicken sandwiches!!
• Murder Mystery Afloat! - Step on board 'The New Orleans' for a night of fun and murder!!!! A Titanic Termination You are honoured guests at the biggest film premiere in town, an event laced with intrigue and sprinkled with jealousy... Little Chico Productions are Oxfordshire’s premier Murder Mystery Company. The experience will start with a welcome drink of your choice followed by a 3 course dinner during which the actors will proceed with the evenings entertainment! Please feel free to dress up as don't forget you are going to a film premiere!!
• NEW FOR 2023 90's themed Silent Disco Cruise! - Party the night away aboard 'The Waterman' for our 90's Silent Disco Cruise. take to the dancefloor with your headsets and enjoy a fantastically curated 90's playlist for a perfectly silent party!! A 90's themed buffet will be served during the evening and a cash bar is available throughout the evening. You are encouraged to dress up as if you heading out for a night in the 90's!!

French Brothers is operating 40 mins and 2 hour cruises from Windsor, Runnymede to Windsor and Runnymed hop-on-hop-off service. 

• Windsor 2-hour round trip – Leaving Windsor Promenade, passengers can enjoy excellent views of Windsor Castle and Eton College. After passing Windsor Racecourse, the boat passes through Boveney Lock and passes Sutherland Grange, The Willows and Bray Film Studios.
• Victorian Paddle Steamer Runnymede hop-on hop-off trip – Daily 1-16 Apr, 27 May-3 Sep. 17 Apr - 26 May. Weekends only 4-24 Sep. Board the 'Lucy Fisher', a replica of a Victorian paddle steamer at the Runnymede Boathouse and cruise upstream to the Bells of Ouzeley, which is featured in Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat". Pass the Memorials, and onto the Runnymede Pleasure Grounds.
• Windsor 40 min Round Trip – Daily to 29 Oct, Weekends 30 Oct - 22 Dec. This short cruise goes upstream to Boveney Lock & returns with fantastic views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, Mill House, Windsor Racecourse & the Brocas Meadows.
• Runnymede to Windsor Service – Daily 7 Apr - 24 Sep.. Leaving from the Runnymede Boathouse, the boat will cruise upstream through Old Windsor Lock and continues through the pretty villages of Old Windsor and Datchet. Travelling through the grounds of Windsor Castle, the boat then passes through Romney Lock and arrives in Windsor.
• Steamboat Tea Cruise - Various dates 29 May - 18 Sep. Enjoy the finest traditional afternoon tea and glass of Prosecco on a genuine Victorian steam vessel as you cruise through the grounds of Windsor Castle.
• Royal Steamboat Voyage - 21 May, 18 Jun, 24 SeptA nostalgic cruise of discovery through the Queen's back garden on a beautiful and genuine Victorian steam launch. Departing from Runnymede in the morning you will pass through Old Windsor Lock and the pretty village of Datchet. Salute our Monarch's flag as we steam along past the grounds of Windsor Castle. In the afternoon the boat returns to Runnymede. Enjoy either a hearty lunch or afternoon tea.

City Cruises in London offers sightseeing cruises, dining cruises and Showboat evening cruises. 

• Sightseeing cruises - depart daily every 30 to 40 minutes from piers at Westminster, London Eye, Tower and to Greenwich.
• 24h Hop-On Hop-Off River Pass
• Thames Lunch Cruise – Tues-Sun. Enjoy a delicious two course lunch on a relaxed mini voyage through the heart of London: 2-course meal, 1 hour 45 minutes river Cruise, Commentary, Glass of Moët & Chandon (Champagne Package)
• Afternoon Tea Cruise – Thu-Sun.  See the best views in London while you tuck into tea, scones and all the trimmings of a traditional afternoon tea on the Thames.
• London Dinner Cruise – Wine, dine and dance on this great dinner cruise on the Thames. See spectacular views of London’s iconic sights including the magnificent London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge and the recently lit bridges as part of the Illuminated River project, whilst enjoying show songs and top hits. Includes: A three-hour cruise, Four-course meal, Welcome drink, Dancing till late, Half bottle of wine per guest.
• London’s Evening Cruise – See great views of London's riverside landmarks and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a trip through the heart of central London – on a boat. You can choose between being on the open-air upstairs deck or in the saloon, which has big windows. Includes: Sparkling wine or soft drink, Selection of cold canapés served throughout the evening, Background music, 2 hour river Cruise
• London’s Jazz Cruise on the Thames – Fridays. Enjoy jazz and dinner on the Thames on a journey up and down the river, with great views of landmarks including Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and more. Includes: 3 hour cruise with our quintet ChiJazz playing jazz, Glass of sparkling wine, 3-course meal with choice of dishes, Cash bar offering Champagne, Pimm's, wines and beers.
• Halloween Murder Mystery Cruise 
• Fireworks Night Cruises 
• Christmas - Thames Christmas Dinner Party, Thames Christmas Lunch Party, Christmas Day Sightseeing,  Christmas Day Lunch Cruise
• New Year - New Year's Eve Gala Dinner, New Year's Eve Stargazer Cruise,