Travel Update

#####Over the Spring Bank Holiday TNU decided it would be a good idea to educate the grandchildren on what London’s river has to offer.

When you think of river trips on the Thames the norm is to investigate the busy section from Putney to Greenwich centred on Westminster Pier. It provides commuter services and sightseeing tours. In 2024 the fleet of river vessels carried around 10m passengers.

Thames River Boats is different and pure leisure. It offers a selection of sailings from Westminster to the west with a small selection of destination piers. Kew, Richmond, Hammertons Ferry Pier and Hampton Court Landing Stage. You can join at any one you choose.

So it was off to Westminster on the Underground emerging into the ticket hall, turning left and into a tunnel under the road and forward to the pier.

Our boat was the M.V. Connaught, built by Salter Brothers of Oxford in 1911. She is a beautiful example of an Edwardian river cruiser with spacious open decks, elegant carpets and polished wooden panelling. Connaught carries up to 193 passengers for sightseeing cruises. There is a fully licensed bar on board and simple snacks are available. You can charter it too with full catering.

Our Captain and commentator for the day really knows the river but how he has managed to visit all the pubs noted by him is beyond us. Extraordinary!O