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Until recently if you wanted to explore London by boat, you could expect a pretty sedate experience. Charlie Matheson's slick RIB (rigid inflatable boat) operation has changed all that. You can book by phone or online or turn up at Waterloo Millennium Pier on spec. Arrive 20 minutes before the off to be kitted out with a waterproof jacket (you're unlikely to get wet unless it's actually raining but you may be glad of the warmth) and a life jacket. Specially adapted steps with a handrail mean that boarding is very easy, making the trip suitable for all ages. The experience starts calmly enough, with a Thames Waterman providing a commentary about the bridges and buildings in central London. Then, once you're past Tower Bridge, the skipper of the 12-seater RIB opens up the engine and heads for Greenwich and you'll discover how exhilarating it can be to swoop along the Thames at almost 30 knots, leaving the lumbering traditional river cruisers far behind.
Transport Waterloo
020 7928 8933
Times 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm, 4.15pm daily; check website for details of winter tours
Prices £32.50 London Eye-Canary Wharf and back, £19.50 under-12s, £365 private charter 11am-4pm; £45/£28 Thames Barrier tour, £510 private charter 9.30pm and 5.30pm
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23 comments Add a comment
The name's Joyce, Lee Joyce! Had a great time on this Bond style trip up the river Thames. The best thing I have done with the kids in a very long time. Well worth the money. Great guides, great boats, great time had by all. We'll definitely be going back to meet Santa at Christmas. Who knew he had time for fun on a speedboat!!
This is really good fun, took my nephew. Think I am now favourite auntie. The team were really great with him (he's four and a bit shy!!). They were also great with me (I'm 21 and not very shy!). Thank you Joe and Matt.
Went on this trip last weekend. My boyfriend and I loved the thrill of speeding on the Thames. It was the best attraction of the day without a doubt. We will be going on again when we are next in town. So much fun. Thank you
This was so much fun. A couple of my friends and I went on the boat on Sunday. What a great trip. No boring sightseeing, just simple facts, easy to remember gags and lovely staff. I wanted the trip to last longer. Hopefully will go again with my family soon.
Took my boys on over the weekend. Was good fun. We had a whole day out in London and this was their favourite activity all day. Booked a family deal which works out slightly cheaper than booking four seats. Call in advance as they get pretty booked up. Worth the wait thou.
My husband and I took our 3 year old son recently and had a blast. It's an exhilerating experience, fast, funny, safe - great fun. The guide was hilarious and very knowledgeable. Superb value for money. Would highly recommend to all.
My mum and I went on this speedboat trip on Saturday. It was really good fun and the guide was very entertaining. We didn't have great weather, but didn't notice as we zoomed along the Thames in this tiny boat. Will definitely go again soon.
Me and my best friend went on this trip about a month ago and it was really good fun. Our guide was lovely, professional yet really sweet. I wish I could remember his name, I cannot identify him on their website. Go on this boat, we had trouble getting seats because they are always so fully booked. You need to be better organised than us!!
Me and my boyfriend and friends have just been on this boat and really enjoyed it. Really, really good fun, book with them and they will give you a discount (if more than six people). Enjoy. Emily.
This is such a good laugh, our guide ("Matthew Rowland Roberts" - he informs us, because there is in fact another Matt!!) was the best guide I have ever seen on this sort of an experience. He was so welcoming and passionate about his work. Even though we were his sixth trip of the day he was still completely committed to making this a great experience for both me and my gran. Thank you London RIB Voyages.
What an awesome trip. The guide (Nick) was hilarious. The best river trip on the thames by a mile. would recommend everyone gives it a go, it puts a different perspective on the city and the river.
Took my children on a RIB last week, wish I had left it until the end of the summer holidays as now they keep asking what else we're doing and I cannot think of anything else to top this. My children are 4, 8 and 13 and they loved every minute of this trip, the guide (Matt?) made a real effort with them and they loved his character voices. I have taken them on lots of boat tours in London but am sure this will always be their favourite. Look out for their 2 for 1 and family discounts, these are now shown on the website, makes it easier on the pocket. Enjoy.
I booked this for my fiance and her friends as part of a day out. Originally I was going to meet them by the riverside and give flowers to her, unfortunately (for her) my stag do took over that part of the plan!!. She still had a great time anyway and we have booked to go on together the day before our wedding as she wants to see "her guide" again. (She assures me he's gay!! He better be!!) Thanks to the whole team for sorting the girls out on the day and making it so memorable.
My two teenage grandchildren and myself had an amazing trip on the James Bond Boat Trip. The guide was very knowledgable and witty with lots of anecdotes. The speed was exciting and we did not want the trip to come to an end. I would certainly recommend this trip.
What fun, just taken my niece on as her summer holiday treat. She really enjoyed it. Thought she may be a bit when the guide was up, but she loved him. We both really enjoyed it, pressures on for next summer!
I went on a Hen party a few weeks ago for my sister. I was a bit apprehensive when I booked this as it is so different from "the norm" for Hen parties. I have to say, we RIB'd, we Pole Danced, we Cocktail shook and every member of the party agreed the RIB'ing was the best part of our day. Felt like a real V.I.P being dropped down at Butlers Wharf for our evening meal. What an entrance. Thank you to them all. I'm not sure who we had, but he was great and really made a fuss of us all. (Good going when we were the seventh trip of his day!). So much enthusiasm and why not it seems like a brilliant company to work for. Thank you for making my sisters big weekend so special. I am no1 bridesmaid.
Me and my Dad went on London Rib over the weekend and it was fantastic. I wanted something different to do with my Dad for his 60th and I really got it. The guide made a fuss of Dad and I'm sure he will never forget a boat full of people singing happy birthday to him on the open river. Of course the weather helped too. We had Ben, he was really a nice guy and a very good guide. A dry wit which I really enjoyed.
I went on the London RIB voyage on the 6th August with my wife and two boys (aged 6 and 10) it was the highlight of our trip to London, I agree with Jackie (an earlier poster) we also had Nick as our guide and he really made the trip with his humour as well as his knowledge of all the landmarks. If you're thinking of going on a boat trip on the Thames then do this one, to be honest i felt sorry for the people on the normal boat trips as we zoomed past.
What fun. This is a really great experience for the summer holidays. Something for everybody to enjoy. (Ages in our party included my sons 9 and 15, me 50ish and my mother 73!!) Thumbs up London ribs voyage, this made our day.
I have just gotten off the boat and have not screamed with excitement so much since I was a little girl (that was a long time ago you know). Thank you Steve and Matt. Thank you London RIB Voyages, finally something me and my son both enjoyed!! I am favourite mum (for a few days at least!). See you again soon.
Brilliant fun. Took my girlfriend as a friend reccommended this to us. Will definitely go again when I can. Such a good laugh. Our guide "Nick" really made the experience. Ask for one of he's tours if you're thinking of going on!
Me and my mates went on this for my Stag Do recently. It was so much fun, never have I encountered a stand up comedian on a speedboat telling jokes about London. It is a particularly niche service that these guys offer, but I cannot reccomend it enough!! If you are looking for something fun to do in London, book this now. Keep up the good words London ribs.
My wife and I went out with London RIB Voyages this weekend and, despite the rain, the experience was a blast. This isn't a sedate river cruise, it's more like an amusement park ride; the pilot jets you around the river at high speeds, does hairpin wave-banking turns, and runs around various river obstacles. Our guide also had a great sense of humour and was very personable, although it was admittedly a bit hard to hear him at times over the wind in our ears. =) You'll probably learn a bit less about the riverside than on other, more traditional cruises, but you'll have a *lot* more fun in the process.
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