Somerset House

Explore the River Thames as it weaves through the heart of London and discover fascinating history around every bend. Today, you can experience the splendor of this great city from the relaxed comfort of a modern, all-weather and wheelchair-friendly sightseeing boat. Informative commentary interlaced with colorful tales of the city's past will keep your mind engaged as you cruise down the Thames! Cruises depart frequently from Westminster Pier, Greenwich Pier, London Eye Pier, and Tower Pier, sailing every day of the year except Christmas Day. With a regular timetable, and evening cruises all summer, you can enjoy a full-day on the river in comfort. Hop on and off the boat as many times as you wish to explore sights such as the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, Borough Market, South Bank Centre, and the London Eye. Or grab a refreshment from the on-board bar and relax as you sail past Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge, the Royal Festival Hall, Cleopatra's Needle, Somerset House, the Millennium Footbridge, Shakespeare's Globe, Monument, H.M.S.Belfast, and much more. During the festive season from December to January, all boats will be decorated and kids will get Christmas coloring sheet and pencils to keep them entertained while parents relax by sipping on a cup of mulled wine and a mince pie from our fully stocked bar. 'Tis the season to be jolly!

Experience a wild and fantastic River Thames boat cruise that is fun for all ages. You will climb aboard a high-speed vessel that offers non-traditional views of England's capital at speeds of up to 30 knots. You will be given a full safety briefing and a life jacket - just in case! Named by leading listings magazine Time Out as a "must-do" experience, both visitors and residents of London will be thrilled with this outing. Speed under the capital’s bridges, and marvel at landmarks such as the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and South Bank from an exclusive vantage point. Music floats through the air via the onboard sound system, as you power out toward the Docklands. High-brow banter is provided by an award-winning comedian guide, whose cheery anecdotes include narration through the greatest open air museum in the world.

Discover the Courtauld Gallery's diverse treasures, from Impressionist gems by Manet and Van Gogh to Renaissance masterpieces in the Blavatnik Fine Rooms. Explore Medieval and 20th-century art in a stunning setting at Somerset House. Begin your visit at the Courtauld Gallery with a journey through time. Marvel at the iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces that grace the LVMH Great Room. Manet's "A Bar at the Folies Bergère" and Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear" await, alongside a UK treasure trove of Cézanne's works. Ascend to the Blavatnik Fine Rooms on the second floor, a haven of Renaissance to 18th-century art. Be captivated by Lucas Cranach's "Adam and Eve" and Rubens' "The Descent From The Cross." Admire Botticelli's "The Trinity with Saints" and Pieter Bruegel the Elder's "Landscape with a flight into Egypt." Explore the Ruddock Family Gallery dedicated to Medieval and Early Renaissance art. Wander through 20th-century art and the Bloomsbury Group's world in ever-changing displays. At the Courtauld, art history unfolds in a magnificent setting, a captivating journey through the ages.

Embark on an Unforgettable Journey through the Heart of London! The Tourific London Highlights Walking Tour is a meticulously curated adventure through the bustling heart of one of the world's most historic cities. This guided excursion spans approximately 10 kilometers and offers a deep dive into over twenty of Central London's most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Start your tour with a spectacular view of the Tower Bridge and end at The London Eye. As you traverse the cobbled streets and modern thoroughfares, you'll journey through time from London's Roman origins to its contemporary status as a global metropolis. Highlights include the majestic St. Paul's Cathedral, the regal Buckingham Palace, and the serene expanse of St. James Park—each with stories to tell. Learn about the city’s evolution through wars, fires, and its rise as a cultural and political powerhouse. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of art, or a fan of architectural marvels, this tour caters to all interests. With inputs from London locals and narration by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, let history and contemporary stories come alive as you walk. Download the Tourific app and tour to your mobile device (following instructions sent to you after booking) and access it when offline. Take advantage of an easy-to-follow map to guide you seamlessly from one location to the next. Need to take a break? You can simply pause your tour and resume when you’re ready or split the tour across multiple days. We're confident you'll love our tour! Not satisfied? Write to us and will offer you a full refund. So what are you waiting for? Book our self-guided tour today!

Enjoy a 1 hour circular cruise on the River Thames past historic riverside sights in the comfort of a fully heated modern river boat that also has an open upper deck. Informative and entertaining commentary will be provided live by the crew (recorded commentary in 8 languages) while a variety of drinks and snacks will be available for purchase from the on-board bar, including mulled wine and mince pies. With under 5s travelling free, this is something the whole family can enjoy. The perfect stocking filler! Marvel at some of London's wonderful sights lit up for the season’s festivities. Enjoy panoramic views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge before heading up river towards Westminster and the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Along the way, expect to see a great number of famous attractions, including the London Eye, Cleopatra's Needle, Shakespeare's Globe, the Golden Hinde, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern, and Somerset House. Admire Renzo Piano’s Shard up-close, and pass the recently refurbished Savoy Hotel.

Meet your guide by the London Eye and prepare to explore the exciting world of espionage from the James Bond franchise. Learn all about the man behind Bond, Ian Fleming, and how his experiences in combat and spying on enemies of Britain led to the creation of fiction's greatest secret agent. Hear about some other spies in London, including John Le Carre's George Smiley, Mick Herron's Slow Horses, and Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne. Listen to real tales of espionage within the capital. See sights like Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and the MI5 building. Find out where to go if you want to dress like James Bond, and where spies like James Bond go out to dine with a glass of martini... shaken, not stirred.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city as you enjoy a night cruising along the River Thames. See famous sites light up as you whizz through the heart of London. Meet your guide just after sunset and board the speedboat. Enjoy London's night skies, one of the most famous skylines in the world, as you surf through the waves at a nerve-inducing 35mph. Listen as your guide provides commentary and tells you all about the city. Marvel at the London Tower Bridge from a distance as you see the evening light show. Hold on tight as you rock and roll down the river. Enjoy the music as you reach high speeds that will take your breath away.  Set sail back to London Tower Bridge, where you can unwind and enjoy a seasonal drink.

Traveling with a Spanish-speaking guide, visit Picadilly Circus before moving on to Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard. Following that, travel along St. Jame's Park before encountering the houses of Parliament and being passing by Big Ben. You then continue to Trafalgar Square before finding the National Gallery and arriving to Leicester Square. After a stop for lunch you will walk through Chinatown and Covent Garden, a market filled with stalls, shops, and vibrant restaurants. Do not miss Somerset House, located on the banks of the River Thames where you will stop to admire another of the most emblematic icons of the city, the amazing London Eye. This magical location is the perfect place for your experience to end.

Zig-zag across central London, from the stately Somerset House to the luxurious Savoy hotel, Trafalgar Square to Whitehall. Savour sumptuous sites from hit films, books, tv shows and even the odd stage production and uncover real-life spy secrets. See how art imitates life and vice versa through the lens of Ian Fleming's James Bond film character as well as other famous spy books, films, and comics. Start at Somerset House, a filming location for the films Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies. You will discover how this historic building in the heart of central London was transformed into Russia through clever set dressing and props and how its history has links back to the running of the British Navy. After a short walk to the Savoy, discover the identity of one resident, a secret but well-known spy who was Fleming's friend, and leave shaken and stirred. Next, visit another iconic London landmark, Rules, London’s oldest restaurant. Learn how the site is linked not just to real-life spies but also to fictional film spies. Visit locations in and around Trafalgar Square. Then it's over to Whitehall, where your guide will explain how the film crew managed to film securely in the throbbing heart of central London. In Whitehall, listen to your guide explain how Fleming’s work in the intelligence community inspired the world’s most famous fictional spy. Final stop: the exterior of the MI6 headquarters in London. Discover all that the public knows about the Secret Intelligence Service. Learn how the IRA attacked the building in a very fanciful and filmic style, and how the makers of one of the world's most famous spy film franchises managed to get permission to use the real Mi6 headquarters in their films!

From monuments of the British Empire to top-class contemporary architecture, London is a multicultural metropolis with plenty of interesting stories to tell. Join our Local Guide on the streets of the historic City Center to see must-see sights and hidden gems of London. Fall in love with the city and feel it's beating heart! The 2-hour walking tour is a perfect introduction to London’s history and heritage, including the royal family, British politics, WWII and even local folklore. For example, do you know what the City of London Corporation is? Have you ever wondered if people still live in the Tower of London, and what is the difference between the Tower Bridge and London Bridge? Your Private Guide will answer all of these questions, share interesting facts about these important landmarks and help you find the best spots for taking pictures. You will admire the scenic Thames river and see notable landmarks such as the Monument to the Great Fire, Mansion House and the Bank of England. As this is a private tour, you will have the full attention of your Private Guide so you can even ask about the best entertainment venues, restaurants and pubs to visit in town. Join the 3-hour tour to add a visit to the oldest church in the City of London to the itinerary. All Hallows By The Tower houses over 1300 years of history under its roof, including strong connections to London's elite. This tour will show you more city highlights along with immersive commentary on the local history, government institutions, big corporations and impressive skyscrapers, such as the iconic Sky Garden. . Choose the 4-hour tour to also see the Blackfriars district and visit St Paul’s Cathedral. Your Private Guide will show you the amazing details of its exterior and interior architecture, which was inspired by the world’s greatest St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. You will admire its stunning altars, frescoes and paintings, including the quiet Whispers Gallery and other galleries. This tour also includes climbing up the Cathedral’s magnificent dome to see the phenomenal views of Thames and London skyline, something you don't want to miss for sure! The 7-hour option is the most comprehensive tour of central London. The extended walking tour will take you past the Two Temple Place, King’s College London and Somerset House to the bustling Trafalgar Square, home to the famous National Gallery, fountains and monuments. You will also see the highlights of the City of Westminster, such as the 10 Downing Street, the Parliament building and its iconic Big Ben. Admire the scenic panorama over the Thames River, with the landmark London Eye and a forest of modern skyscrapers. The main attraction of this extended tour will be a visit inside Westminster Abbey, a historic church where Queen Elizabeth II and other British royals since 1066 have been crowned. Skip-the-line tickets are included so you will not have to waste time buying tickets on site.