London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour worth booking?
London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour is a 6-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $48 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $48 per person
Follow the story of London along the river that gave it life, exploring four of its most historic areas and all top landmarks with your own personal local guide. We travel between areas in the best way possible - relaxi
What you get
About this experience
Follow the story of London along the river that gave it life, exploring four of its most historic areas and all top landmarks with your own personal local guide. We travel between areas in the best way possible - relaxing as we glide along the water by boat (Uber Boats by Thames Clippers day ticket included!) Meet your guide at the iconic Battersea Power Station and set sail into the heart of London. We’ll get off to walk by the top sights of Westminster (inc. Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Horse Guards Parade and London Eye) then ride across the river to the Southbank (Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, London Bridge). See the Tower of London, then sail under Tower Bridge on the way to Greenwich, where we see the Cutty Sark, Old Royal Naval College, Queen’s House and more. We walk uphill to end the tour at the historic Royal Observatory, home to the Prime Meridian timeline and "London's Best View"! If you only have time for one London tour, this epic day trip covers the lot!
What's included
Included
- 6-hour boat and walking tour (with breaks)
- Almost all of London's iconic landmarks (Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge & more!)
- Unlimited all-day river travel on Uber Boats by Thames Clippers, worth over £25
- Friendly, knowledgeable local tour guide (Private)
Not included
- Food and drink (available for purchase on the boat)
- Tips or gratuities for your guide (optional, but appreciated if you've enjoyed their service)
- Entry to landmarks (the tour shows you the key sights from the outside and does not include tickets)
What you'll see and do
Battersea Power Station
After meeting your guide and fellow travellers, take a stroll around and through the huge Battersea Power Station - a true London icon! Once a coal-burning plant providing 20% of all the capital’s power, it has been lovingly preserved with its giant chimneys still in place, but has been converted into one of London’s most impressive shopping and entertainment venues.
30 minutes here
Thames River
Now it’s time for your first journey along the river, taking you right into the heart of London. Sit back in comfort and watch the city pass by, and soon the familiar sights of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye will come into view!
20 minutes here · Admission included
Big Ben
Pass under Westminster Bridge before jumping off the boat right next to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, just across the river from the iconic London Eye.
15 minutes here
Parliament Square
We'll visit the statues of Parliament Square, including Churchill, Gandhi, Mandela and Abraham Lincoln.
20 minutes here
Westminster Abbey
We walk over to the incredible Westminster Abbey - religious centre of Britain dating back over 1000 years!
10 minutes here
Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
Walk along Whitehall to see 10 Downing Street (home of the Prime Minister) and war memorials, including the Cenotaph and Women of World War Two. We'll see the King's Life Guard at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade before walking through the famous parade ground.
20 minutes here
St. James's Park
Take a quick stroll through charming St. James's Park to The Mall - the famous road that links Buckingham Palace to the grand Admiralty Arch.
15 minutes here
Admiralty Arch
Stop for a photo at the grand Admiralty Arch, commissioned by King Edward IIV to link The Mall to Trafalgar Square
5 minutes here
Next, we'll walk through Trafalgar Square - Britain's most famous public space adorned with fountains, statues including Nelson's Column, and the incredible National Gallery.
20 minutes here
Victoria Embankment Gardens
We'll walk back to the river via The Strand and Victoria Embankment Gardens, before boarding our next boat across the river to the Southbank.
15 minutes here
Thames River
On this short journey along the river, we pass under Waterloo, Blackfriars and Millennium Bridge (which you might recognise from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!).
10 minutes here · Admission included
Bankside
We get off the boat right next to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the amazing Tate Modern, with great views across to St. Paul's Cathedral! Enjoy a walk along this vibrant stretch of the Thames, passing under Southwark Bridge with The Shard tower as a constant backdrop.
20 minutes here
Borough Market
Our route passes through London's most famous and lively food market - Borough Market - filled with local traders and delicious treats. We'll also see the Clink Prison, Southwark Cathedral and The Golden Hinde - a full-scale replica of the first English ship to go around the world in 1577 and 1580.
20 minutes here
London Bridge
We walk over London Bridge, pausing to enjoy the amazing view of Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast, before beginning our route through The City of London. This ancient part of the city has been the UK's financial heart for centuries and its rivalry with Westminster is legendary.
10 minutes here
The Monument to the Great Fire of London
The historic City of London area was the epicentre for the Great Fire of London in 1666 - we'll visit the impressive monument built to mark the event.
5 minutes here
London Wall
We'll pass through London's most unique secret park on our way to one of the last remaining sections of original Roman wall.
10 minutes here
Tower of London
Your guide will tell you some of the Tower of London's most fascinating stories as we walk around its 900-year-old walls.
20 minutes here
Tower Bridge
Stop for pictures of Tower Bridge from the river bank - and then we'll board our next boat which will sail directly under the bridge!
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Thames River
Our final boat ride takes us right underneath Tower Bridge - get your camera ready! Afterwards, relax and watch the world go by as we glide along the river to Greenwich. The boat takes around 25mins and there's a bar onboard, so this is a great chance to rest and refresh.
25 minutes here · Admission included
Cutty Sark
Welcome to Greenwich! This charming old London borough is one of our favourite parts of the city - filled with rich history and grand architecture, but with a village-like feel that contrasts with the buzz of central London. Getting off the boat, see the incredible Cutty Sark that was once the world's fastest ship.
10 minutes here
Old Royal Naval College
Explore the stately buildings of the Old Royal Naval College from where Britain once directed their domination of the seas. Other great sights include the Royal Maritime Museum and bustling Greenwich Market.
20 minutes here
Queen's House
We'll pass the beautiful Queen's House - completed in the 1630s for Queen Mary II - before walking through stunning Greenwich Park and up to the Royal Observatory.
10 minutes here
Royal Observatory Greenwich
We'll walk uphill through Greenwich Park to the beautiful old observatory. This is the birthplace of British Astronomy and home to the Prime Meridian line, from where all the world's timelines are measured! This is a fitting place to end, with a view that stretches our over the city's skyline - locals have dubbed it "London's best view". *After your tour, we highly recommend spending a little time in Greenwich. Relax in the park, grab a drink in one of the classic local pubs, and enjoy some great food at Greenwich Market or one of many fine restaurants. National Maritime Museum and Queen's House are also free to visit (open until 5pm most days).
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
We meet directly outside the entrance/exit of Battersea Power Station Underground Station. There is a large London Underground sign on the front wall of the station - your guide will meet you next to the sign. Please plan your journey and aim to arrive 15 minutes early.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We end at the observatory in lovely Greenwich Park. Nearby you'll find great places to eat, drink, relax of visit free royal museums. Your boat pass is valid for the whole day (until approx 11pm), so you can travel back to central London when you're ready.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Great London Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour involves around 4 hours walking, with breaks. We cover around 7 miles so please wear comfortable shoes and bring drinking water.
- Most terrain is flat but the final stop requires a short uphill section which may be difficult for some travellers. You can opt out of this part if you prefer.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour of London.
This tour of London was amazing. Paul was a great guide. We covered so many of the basic ‘first visit to London’ attractions. We used the tube and the Uber boat on the Thames. I did all the basic tour stuff 20 years ago. My partner had never been. She loved it and it was a great refresher for me. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you! Appreciate the review and very glad you enjoyed the tour. It was a real pleasure meeting you both :)
via Tripadvisor
A Wonderful Day Exploring London
Paul was amazing and answered all of our questions. Thanks to him, we got to see all the major sights in London as well as some hidden gems we would have never found on our own. He was very patient whenever we needed a break or wanted to stop for photos. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely recommend this tour, especially if you’re visiting with your family! Thank you Paul for a lovely experience :)
Response from the operator: Ah thank you so much for this review, lovely to hear you enjoyed the day! It was really nice to meet you and your family - such a great group of people and it was a pleasure to show you around :)
via Tripadvisor
Great walking tour in London
Well everyone, one group of five decided to be adventurous and complete a full day walking and boat tour of London. It was High season so part of our experience was due to just the massive crowds, but generally the tour was pretty good, very informative and flexible to our needs. We had one family member that could not do all of the walking, so our guide was flexible and modified so that we could take the train for some portions. Understand that you need to be in very good shape and ready for hours of walking for this tour. I would have liked to see maybe lunch, subway fare or water as it was pricey. Overall, we got exposure to several parts of London and learned a lot. Avoid the summer if you can.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed the day and it was a real pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for the feedback too, I'll double check the description and ensure that it's all clear for future travellers. Hope you had a good journey home and that we see you in the UK again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $48 to $435
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour cost?
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Prices start at $48 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does London River Story - Private Full-Day Boat and Land Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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