Glide from Gravesend and Tilbury into central London this summer

Gravesend and Tilbury residents can plan a summer day out with a difference this August as London’s leading River Bus service, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, is offering the opportunity to travel to the capital by boat on board two special Saturday services.

In celebration of Tilbury’s recent success in securing £22.8m in funding from the government’s Town Fund, the sailings also give a glimpse of residents’ future travel options as the fund will help enhance the town centre, including the addition of a new River Bus pier.

Designed to provide a convenient transport link for a fun day out in London, the services will depart on 7 and 14* August. Departing from Gravesend Town Pier* at 9.45am and Tilbury Pier at 10.00am, the services will call at North Greenwich Pier (10.40am) before terminating at London Bridge City Pier (11.00am).

Located beside The O2 and Emirates Air Line, North Greenwich Pier is the gateway to Greenwich Peninsula, London's exciting new creative quarter. The O2 is the ultimate all-in-one destination to visit for a day out this summer, with multiple attractions including a climbing experience with Up At The O2, shopping at over 60 fashion and lifestyle brands at Icon Outlet and more than 30 bars and restaurants. Visitors to The O2 can try out trampolining at Oxygen Freejuping, catch the latest blockbusters at Cineworld, or test out their football skills at the new interactive football and dining experience, TOCA Social (opening this summer). At the heart of the capital, London Bridge City Pier is in one of the city’s most exciting neighbourhoods. World-famous attractions such as Tower Bridge, Borough Market and The View from The Shard, nestle beside theatres, galleries, and many top notch places to eat and drink, giving visitors a fantastic day out within walking distance of their boat home.

With an All Day ticket, passengers can also make unlimited use of the full Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ services for the day, disembarking at either London pier to join the regular service which serves several piers throughout the capital. Sail to London Eye (Waterloo) Pier for a visit to Sea Life London Aquarium’s interactive exhibit on the Great Oceanic Conveyor. Or head to Battersea Power Station Pier for a host of fun activities – rent a boat to sail the lake in Battersea Park or stay put and enjoy the power station’s Summer Showtime on the Coaling Jetty. With a range of riverside festivals taking place this summer, alight at Canary Wharf Pier for the Summer Lights exhibition, or London Bridge City Pier for Summer By The River.

In the evenings, the boat will leave London Bridge City Pier at 5.30pm and call at North Greenwich Pier at 5:50pm, Tilbury Pier at 6.30pm before arriving at Gravesend Town Pier* at 6.45pm. The licensed onboard café bar will again be serving refreshments for the cruise home.

Tickets must be pre-booked online at thamesclippers.com/gravesend-tilbury-london. Prices start from £11 per person for a single adult journey, or £19.50 for an adult return journey. Passengers can upgrade to an All Day ticket to join Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ regular services for £24.95 per adult or £49.50 for a family ticket (valid for two adults and three children, aged 5-15 years).  Children 4 years and under can travel free of charge as standard but a seat must still be booked for them online.

Sean Collins, CEO and co-founder, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers comments: “We remain committed to growing the River Bus network in London and further east. We want as many residents as possible to realise the benefits of travelling by river in and out of London, in terms of speed, comfort and frequency. We are optimistic about the volume of passengers opting to use this special leisure service, and we hope soon to be able to offer this additional transport link permanently to Gravesend and Tilbury.”

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: “I welcome the River Bus service this summer, it provides excellent access to the city and a great day for residents of all ages to enjoy. River transport is a fantastic option for Thurrock, reconnecting our towns to the river and thanks to the government’s £22.8million Town Fund investment, this could be the future for travel in our borough.”

With a guaranteed seat for each passenger, an onboard café bar serving drinks and snacks and a back deck to enjoy the cool breeze – Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ service is a convenient and comfortable way to travel through the city. Servicing many of London’s most popular attractions, the river offers one of the best vantage points to take in the city’s iconic sights including The O2, Tower of London, St Paul’s and the London Eye.

*14 August service will not call at Gravesend Town Pier. Residents south of the river can make use of the existing cross-river ferry from Gravesend (at extra cost) to join the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service departing from Tilbury for central London.