A summer of festivals!
The joy of summer is washing over the capital, and with it comes plenty of things to see and do!
The Battersea Games
Sports and games fans, brace yourselves...
Between 1 July and 8 September, make your way to Battersea Power Station for the Battersea Games, an event featuring an evolving calendar of sports and games suitable for all ages.
Activities include a pop-up padel court, climbing wall, basketball court, and a range of classes including yoga, boxing, and even dog agility training. And if you’re feeling a little less active, there’s other activities such as virtual reality gaming, and giant board games!
Live Wimbledon matches will be shown on a big screen in Power Station Park 1-14 July.
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
Summer Festivals
River Stage
Experience a variety of thrilling performances on the South Bank, in collaboration with the National Theatre. The Glory, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, and Rambert present live music, theatre, dance, family workshops, and club nights across four weekends in July.
Nearest pier: Waterloo London Eye
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Summer by the River
Lose yourself in new experiences, reconnect with old friends and feed your curiosity or your appetite, at London Bridge City's Summer by the River! There’ll be live music, film, theatre, sport, pop-up bars, street food and much more. Running until 1 September, this year’s festival is bringing riverside retreat vibes to the banks of the Thames.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
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Somerset House Summer Series
Returning in July 2024, the Somerset House Summer Series offers eleven nights of unmissable gigs in the stunning courtyard. This staple summer experience features a trailblazing line-up of breakthrough music artists and established acts from around the world.
Nearest pier: Embankment
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Summer in Battersea Park
Battersea Park and nearby locations host five weekends of free activities! Enjoy live performances, workshops, sports, and more. Highlights include the Battersea Dog Show, Wandsworth Armed Forces Day, and Wandsworth Family Pride. Until 14 July, visit the KERB Street Food Garden at Battersea Park Bowling Green for food, drinks, and live screenings.
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
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Enjoy a summer of free films at Canada Square Park's Film Club from June to August. With the largest-ever line-up, there's something for everyone—rom-coms, sing-alongs, Bollywood, Hollywood, and family favorites on Saturday mornings.
Nearest pier: Canary Wharf
There isn’t a better feeling than jumping in a pool on a hot summer’s day, but unless you have your own, you’re a bit limited for choice (no, you can’t fill up the wheely bin…). But, due to popular demand, open water swimming at Canary Wharf is back!
Open to residents, visitors, and workers alike, take a dip in the water whilst enjoying the views of the iconic One Canada Square. Before you panic, the venue is in partnership with Love Open Water who regularly test and ensure that the water is clean and safe to swim in.
So, head over, and cool off!
Nearest pier: Canary Wharf
RNLI weekend at Cutty Sark
On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July climb aboard Cutty Sark for a weekend dedicated to lifesaving with the RNLI! To celebrate the RNLI's 200th anniversary, the local Tower crew is hosting an exciting range of talks and activities focused on sea rescue.
Enjoy demonstrations by the crew, learn essential lifesaving skills, hear inspiring lifeboat stories on the deck of Cutty Sark, and watch the shipwright in action.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
Wimbledon screens across London
If you’re like 99.9% of the population and didn’t buy tickets a year in advance for Wimbledon, but still want to sit outside and enjoy the games in the sun, we’ve put together a list of locations to watch the tennis along the Thames! Make the most of it, get there by boat.
Old Royal Naval College
This summer, from 1 to 14 July, the Old Royal Naval College grounds will showcase top sporting events on their outdoor screen! Watch Wimbledon legends and the Olympics with stunning views of Canary Wharf and the River Thames.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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Canary Wharf
Watch the Wimbledon Championships in the bustling Canada Square Park! Not a huge tennis fan? There will be other sports to see including F1 and cricket!
Nearest pier: Canary Wharf
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London Bridge City
As part of its Summer by the River celebrations, London Bridge City’s famous big screen will be showing all of the Wimbledon matches.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
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St. Katharine Docks
Ever considered enjoying Wimbledon on a floating pontoon? Well, now’s your chance, enjoy the games with a cocktail in hand!
Nearest pier: Tower
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Spend the day making unlimited journeys aboard our services with your family and sail pier-to-pier across London making unforgettable memories. A Family River Roamer gives unlimited all-day travel to 2 adults and up to 3 children (5 to 15). Kids 4 and under travel free.
Make a splash
Help the kids cool off during the summer holidays by taking them to the many kid-friendly fountains along our route:
Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms
This interactive sculpture at Southbank Centre is the brainchild of Danish artist Jeppe Hein, whose combination of architecture and technology produces sculptures which are joyful, engaging and playful.
Nearest pier: London Eye (Waterloo)
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More London Riverside Fountains
On a sunny day, people adore jumping through the fountains near The Scoop amphitheatre in London Bridge City. With 200 spouting jets and views of City Hall and Tower Bridge in the background, it's the perfect setting for splashing with a view!
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
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Splash Park Barking
One fountain not quite cutting it? Splash Park Barking is only a short bus ride away (EL1 or EL3) from Barking Riverside Pier. It has a wide variety of fountain features going up and down at different intervals, as well as a soft, flat ground to keep the little ones safe. Relax and have fun!
Nearest pier: Barking Riverside
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Leicester Square Fountain
Located at the heart of Leicester Square, a lovely play fountain surrounds the statue of Shakespeare in the centre. Cool off while watching the many street performers around the square!
Nearest pier: Embankment
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Step into 600 years of history at Greenwich's majestic Old Royal Naval College, nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage site. This riverside estate boasts architectural grandeur, highlighted by the awe-inspiring Painted Hall, often likened to the "UK’s Sistine Chapel". Buy a joint ticket and enjoy river travel and a tour of the Old Royal Naval College!
Battersea Park
200-acres of open green space, floral gardens and a boating lake, Battersea Park lies on the south bank of the River Thames. The park has stunning river views, a children's zoo and an adventure playground that kids love!
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
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Greenwich Park
A short walk from Greenwich Pier, gorgeous Greenwich Park offers outstanding views of Canary Wharf and the City on a clear day. As one of London's largest Royal Parks, Greenwich Park offers a wide range of facilities and is home to the Royal Observatory and the Meridian line, as well as the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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Thames Barrier Park
One of London’s newest parks, Thames Barrier Park offers the best view from the land of London's impressive flood defence, the Thames Barrier. Discover the delights of this urban oasis and its most creative feature 'The Green Dock' that provides a wind-protected microclimate for a variety of plants and butterflies.
Nearest pier: Royal Wharf
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Mudchute Park and Farm
Llamas, in London?! Mudchute Park and Farm is located on the Isle of Dogs, a short walk from Masthouse Terrace Pier.
Set in 32 acres, the farm brings a touch of the countryside to Tower Hamlets and is home to pigs, sheep, cows, donkeys and chickens as well as llamas.
Nearest pier: Masthouse Terrace
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St Dunstan in the East Church Garden
A 6-minute walk from Tower Pier lies the former church of Saint Dunstan in the East. A truly unique place in London, this peaceful green oasis is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the City. St Dunstan in the East Church Garden is set within the ruins of a Wren church which was bombed during the Blitz.
Nearest pier: Tower
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St James’s Park
The oldest of London's Royal Parks, St James's Park is at the heart of Westminster. The park's artificial lake, flowers, trees and birds will make you forget that you are actually in the heart of London. It has breathtaking views of Buckingham Palace but don't forget to say hello to the pelicans!
Nearest pier: Westminster
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Chelsea Physic Garden
Celebrating it's 350th anniversary, Chelsea Physic Garden is London’s oldest botanical garden. An oasis in the city, the tranquil garden was established to supply medicinal plants for scientific study and was only opened to the public in the 1980s.
Nowadays visitors are welcomed to learn more about fauna from around the world. Please note the site is compact so booking in advance is essential.
Nearest pier: Cadogan
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Bishop's Park
Across Putney Bridge from Putney Pier lies Bishop’s Park which has been awarded Grade II status by English Heritage.
The park houses Fulham Palace, the historic home of the Bishops of London, a beautiful walled garden and an ornamental lake. Bordering the north bank of the River Thames, Bishop's Park provides one of the best views of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
Nearest pier: Putney
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