2-Day Thames River Boat Journey Through London

Just a short walk from the Thames, Westminster Abbey is a must-see and a significant structure in British history. This beautiful gothic church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site popular with many visitors to London. Complete with paintings, stained glass windows, and other religious artifacts, Westminster Abbey owns the most important collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in Britain.

Delve into the adventures of the Cutty Sark and her crew in an immersive experience that brings her fascinating history to life. Follow in the footsteps of those who sailed her, explore interactive displays that evoke the sights, smells, and sounds of life at sea, enjoy sweeping views of the Thames, and walk right underneath the ship’s gleaming hull to touch a piece of world history.Cutty Sark historyClipper Ships were first introduced to the seas in the 1840s by American shipbuilders in response to booming commerce and the need for faster transportation of cargo to meet its demands. Commissioned by the British shipping magnate Jock ‘Whitehat’ Willis, the Cutty Sark was launched from Dumbarton in 1869. She was a masterpiece - a showcase of expert sailing ship design. Her three masts set the ship forwards at an incredible speed of 17 knots, making her one of the fastest ships on the sea in the 1870s.Her speed made her a highly profitable vessel as she traversed the globe, bringing crops of tea from China - an incredibly fashionable commodity in the tearooms and parlours of Victorian Britain. Inflated by the stories of her prowess on water and her success in trade, the Cutty Sark’s owners put her forward for a tea race in 1872. The stakes were high as people put huge bets on her sure-fire victory. She ran neck and neck with a competing boat, Thermopylae, in the Indian Ocean, until the Cutty Sark’s rudder broke loose, costing her the race, but nevertheless cementing her legend on the water.However, there were dark times ahead. Industry spurred on the advent of steamships on the water, setting a new standard of speed for merchant ships around the world. And in 1880, when the Cutty Sark set off on a voyage to Japan, a fight amongst the crew left one man dead and a mutinous crew on board. The captain committed suicide thinking his career was ruined. The Cutty Sark was held to account and soon a new reputation was assigned to her as a ‘hellship’: a cursed vessel. Her fortunes, however, were not to be consigned to superstition for long.For a decade, she would preserve her legend on water through lightning voyages and the careful and generous attention of her owner, Jock Willis. After ceasing to be profitable, she spent 25 years transporting cargo, managing to avoid German U-boats during World War I, and in 1936, she spent her time at a Training College at Greenhithe by British naval cadets. Cutty Sark Greenwich - A New ChapterIn her later years, the Cutty Sark found a permanent home in Greenwich, London, where she is docked. This ship at Greenwich has become an iconic landmark, drawing visitors from around the world.

Step into the world of astronomy and navigation at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, one of the most important scientific sites in history.Explore the home of the first Astronomer Royal, learn how the stars and seas were mapped, and discover how time was standardized across the globe. See iconic instruments like the UK’s largest refracting telescope, get hands-on with a 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid, and journey through centuries of scientific innovation in a fun, interactive way.While you’re there, don’t forget to enjoy one of the best views in London from the Observatory grounds. 

Explore this faithful recreation of William Shakespeare's iconic Globe Theatre: once the centre of London's famous Bankside entertainment district. It’s more than just a historical site; the Globe Theater London continues to function as a vibrant performing arts venue. Grab your tickets now to catch a play or join a guided tour.The original Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre. It was built by the actor and director Sam Wanamaker close to the original site - just 230 metres away. More Globe Theatre Facts here!Throughout the year, expert guides bring this extraordinary open-air theatre to life in a 50-minute Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour. You'll hear stories of the original Globe, learn all about its reconstruction process in the 1990s, and find out how the building works today as an experimental theatre space. Reserve your guided tour now and take the journey of a lifetime through theatre history. Take a seat 'within this wooden O' – listen, absorb and ask questions as the secrets of the Globe unfold.Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a Shakespeare fan, the Globe Theatre in London and its tours provide an enchanting step back in time. So, if you find yourself in the area, don’t hesitate! 

For over 1,000 years, Windsor Castle has been the English royal residence. This stunning castle, occupying 10.5 hectares/26.5 acres of land, is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world.William the Conqueror first made use of this vast space after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, crafting the castle out of wood in what was known as a motte-and-bailey style. The castle served as an excellent watchtower over the River Thames and Windsor Forest. Henry I was the first monarch to use the castle as a home. But various alterations to the site have since been made by his royal successors, including the addition of the beguiling Round Tower and a stone keep by Henry II. Perhaps no monarch worked on the castle as extensively as Edward III, however, who spent a vast amount of money on adding and improving it during his reign.As well as private apartments for monarchs and visitors, the Castle contains an upper ward, which houses the royal library. This room contains priceless works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, to name but a few. However, when a fire broke out across the Castle in November 1992, a few works were sadly destroyed or damaged, along with more than 100 rooms. These rooms were restored in 1997 at a cost of almost £40 million.

This fun bar is inspired by the world-famous Monopoly board, with creative cocktails to match its imaginative interiors.Here you can enjoy one complimentary cocktail from the menu, named after one of the Monopoly squares and crafted to match the themes of the game.