During our stay in London we booked a 24 hour Hop On Hop Off sightseeing cruise. The weather forecast for that week in December was dreadful – so we picked the most suitable day. We joined the cruise at Greenwich Pier and travelled as far as Westminster Pier where we disembarked. (The other two stops were at Tower Pier and the London Eye)
A recorded audio guide commentary is available on board in 8 languages. We enjoyed the captain’s live commentary. He pointed out all the iconic landmarks, interspersed with lots of historical information – all presented with a real Londoner’s sense of humour.
We had been staying in Greenwich on the south bank of the River Thames. There is plenty of attractions in this part of London: The Royal Observatory, the Old Royal Naval College, Queen’s House, Green Chain Walk, Royal Park, Greenwich Market , the Painted Hall, the National Maritime Museum and of course the iconic sailing ship the Cutty Sark.
Westminster Millennium Pier is of course at the centre of a major tourist hotspot. We were amused to see tourists standing patiently in a long queue just to photograph one another standing by a red telephone box with the Houses of Parliament in the background. From this point it is a short walk to Westminster Abbey, The National Gallery, Horse Guards Parade or Buckingham Palace.
There are various dining cruises one can book: a Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise, Elvis Tribute, Jazz Dinner Cruise, Afternoon Tea Cruise or Lunch Cruise – take your pick. We were satisfied with our Hop On Hop Off sightseeing cruise – it was a relaxing way to travel from A to B and very interesting too.
