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The River Thames is the longest river entirely in England, and it passes by several important landmarks in London.
Introduction to the River Thames in London
The River Thames is 215 miles (346 kilometers) long, and a short stretch of it flows through London. It’s a major shipping route, and was crucial to the foundation of Londinium by the Romans in the middle of the 1st century.
This post is an incomplete look at a few places along the River Thames from the London Eye to Tower Bridge. I realize I’m missing several important landmarks, museums, buildings, and bridges along the river, but it simply came down to time. Eventually, when I have a chance to thoroughly explore more areas of London, this page will likely disappear and the landmarks covered here will move to other posts. Not covered here is the Tower of London.
London Eye
I’ll start at the London Eye, which sits just north of Westminster Bridge on the South Bank of the river. It’s the largest cantilevered observation wheel in Europe, standing 443 feet tall. It’s also the most popular paid tourist attraction in the entire United Kingdom. The London Eye opened to the public on March 9, 2000, and was designed by Julia Barfield and David Marks (1952-2017) of Marks Barfield Architects.
There are 32 sealed and air conditioned capsules, each representing a London borough. They hold up to 25 people and take about 30 minutes to complete one revolution. It’s a great attraction for all, with panoramic views of London from all angles.
Standard tickets £29 for adults 16 and over, £26 for kids age 2-15, and free for kids under 2 (as of September 2024). Fast track tickets £44 for adults 16 and over, £41 for kids age 2-15, and free for kids under 2 (as of September 2024). Purchasing at the box offices is more expensive, so it’s recommended to buy your tickets online. Tickets are on a timed entry. The nearest tube stations are Waterloo, Westminster, and Embankment.
London Bridge
Further downriver is the London Bridge, which spans the River Thames from the City of London to Southwark. It was designed by William Holford (1907-1975) and opened in 1971. The nearest tube stations are Monument and London Bridge.
There have been several other bridges since Roman times. A medieval stone arch, “Old” London Bridge, lasted from 1209 to 1831. It took 33 years to build and contained several buildings, some of them up to seven stories high. It was a death trap whenever fires broke out.
A Victorian stone arch, “New” London Bridge, was used from 1832 to 1967. It was designed by John Rennie (1761-1821). When it was announced the bridge would be replaced, it was purchased by Robert McCulloch (1911-1977), dismantled, and reconstructed at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was re-dedicated on October 10, 1971.
The Shard
At 95 stories, The Shard is the tallest building in London and the seventh tallest building in Europe (as of September 2024). It was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and replaced the Southwark Towers. The Shard was built between 2009 and 2012 and opened to the public on February 1, 2013. It contains several restaurants as well as the Shangri-La Hotel.
The View from the Shard is an observation deck on floors 68, 69, and 72. It allows visitors 360° views of London and up to 40 miles away. Standard admission starts at £28.50 while kids under 4 are admitted free of charge (as of September 2024). Tickets are on a timed entry, and there’s a weather guarantee that offers a complimentary return voucher valid for three months. Opening times vary depending on events taking place. The nearest tube station is London Bridge.
HMS Belfast
Just east of London Bridge is the HMS Belfast. It’s a town-class cruiser built in 1936 for the Royal Navy. The ship was commissioned on August 5, 1939, and served throughout World War II and on D-Day, and the Korean War. It was decommissioned on August 24, 1963, and now serves as a museum. Visitors can see all nine decks of the ship.
Tickets are £25.45 for adults; £22.90 for seniors 60+, students, and disabled visitors; and £12.70 for children age 5-15 (as of September 2024). The HMS Belfast is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Allow at least 90 minutes to visit. The nearest tube station is London Bridge.
Tower Bridge
Finally, sitting just south of the Tower of London is Tower Bridge. An iconic London landmark, it was built between 1886 and 1894. It was designed by Sir Horace Jones (1819-1887) and constructed by Sir John Wolfe Barry (1836-1918). Tower Bridge is 800 feet long and has 2 towers, each 213 feet high.
Visitors can access the walkway on top of the bridge, which contains a glass floor, as well as the engine rooms. There’s also an exhibition about the history and construction of the bridge.
Tickets cost £13.40 for adults; £10.10 for seniors 60+, students 16+, and disabled visitors; £6.70 for children age 5-15; and free for kids under 5 (as of September 2024). Tickets can be purchased online in advance. Tower Bridge is open daily from 9:30am to 6pm. The nearest tube stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge.
