London: River Thames Small-Group Half-Day Guided Bike Tour
Meet your local guide in central London and take off on a roughly 4-hour bike tour of the city’s ever-evolving Thames riverfront. Ride past key attractions such as Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and the Tower of London. After cruising through South Bank, stop at the bustling and eclectic Borough Market (morning departures only). Aside from offering a range of artisanal food and produce, the market is a testament to London’s multicultural landscape. For lunch, grab some crispy fish and chips, a Damascene falafel wrap, or a pot of steaming hot noodles with custom toppings (own expense). Next, head to Tower Bridge—a masterpiece of Victorian engineering. As you cross the bridge into London’s financial district, admire sweeping river views that feature a juxtaposition of old London architecture and modern constructions such as the Shard— a 95-story pyramid of glass. Along the way, enjoy a storied narrative from your guide about the major events—from plagues and wars to catastrophic fires—that have evolved the cityscape. Pass the Monument to the Great Fire of 1666 and the remarkably beautiful Leadenhall Market, the setting of many feature films. Then, pedal over the London Bridge back to Southwark, where your tour ends.
Highlights
- ✓Cover more London sights than you would walking with a bike tour along the River Thames
- ✓Check off multiple highlights, such as Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral, in just a few hours
- ✓Gain insight you'd otherwise miss with the commentary of a local guide
- ✓Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a small-group tour
What you'll see & do
- ✓Hop on a bicycle and take a guided small-group bike tour along the River Thames, right through the heart of central London. During its 2,000 years of existence, London has faced plagues, great fires, wars and more that have continuously shaped its cityscape -- your local expert guide will actively lead you through this history as you sightsee, making your trip an educational and enjoyable experience. During this bike tour, cycle on both banks of the Thames, admiring London's top attractions and stopping along the way for photo opportunities. Part of your itinerary will be determined by your guide on the day, depending on the group's overall preferences. Your sightseeing will include Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge
- ✓Elizabeth Tower is the name of the famous clock tower which stands at the Houses of Parliament. The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell.
- ✓Elegantly rotating over the River Thames, it's the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel.
- ✓St. Paul's has been the site of many historic state occasions; including Sir Winston Churchill's state funeral and the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
- ✓One of London's most famous landmarks, the historic Tower houses the Crown Jewels, the prison cell of Sir Walter Raleigh, known as the Bloody Tower, and the Chapel of St. John and the Royal Armories.
- ✓Founded by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe explores Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote
- ✓Stop for a break at the incredible Borough Market (lunch not included) one of London's largest food markets, famous for its wide range of food from all over the world.
- ✓Fortified, you will continue your tour, crossing one of London's most popular bridges, the Tower Bridge. From Tower Bridge you will pedal on to the area known as the City of London - the city’s financial center - where you’ll see some of the modern glass skyscrapers that have appeared more recently on the famous London skyline.
- ✓You’ll then head on past the Monument to the Great Fire.
- ✓See Leadenhall Market - one of London’s hidden 14th-century gems – and hear how it featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
- ✓Make your way past an old medieval church that was bombed during the World War II blitz before cycling over London Bridge and back to Southwark - where your tour ends. Along the way, you'll also get a beer tasting included an authentic London pub!
What's included
- ✓Guided bike tour
- ✓Use of bike and helmet for the duration of the tour
What's not included
- ✓Cost of lunch
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Children are not recommended on the tour unless they are proficient riders. All guests must be able to ride a bicycle on their own. If you have children in your group, please let us know how many and their ages so we can make sure we have the correct sized bikes. Attachments such as tag-a-longs and trailers are not permitted for the safety of the group.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
London: River Thames Small-Group Half-Day Guided Bike Tour
Meet your local guide in central London and take off on a roughly 4-hour bike tour of the city’s ever-evolving Thames riverfront. Ride past key attractions such as Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and the Tower of London. After cruising through South Bank, stop at the bustling and eclectic Borough Market (morning departures only). Aside from offering a range of artisanal food and produce, the market is a testament to London’s multicultural landscape. For lunch, grab some crispy fish and chips, a Damascene falafel wrap, or a pot of steaming hot noodles with custom toppings (own expense). Next, head to Tower Bridge—a masterpiece of Victorian engineering. As you cross the bridge into London’s financial district, admire sweeping river views that feature a juxtaposition of old London architecture and modern constructions such as the Shard— a 95-story pyramid of glass. Along the way, enjoy a storied narrative from your guide about the major events—from plagues and wars to catastrophic fires—that have evolved the cityscape. Pass the Monument to the Great Fire of 1666 and the remarkably beautiful Leadenhall Market, the setting of many feature films. Then, pedal over the London Bridge back to Southwark, where your tour ends.
Highlights
- ✓Cover more London sights than you would walking with a bike tour along the River Thames
- ✓Check off multiple highlights, such as Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral, in just a few hours
- ✓Gain insight you'd otherwise miss with the commentary of a local guide
- ✓Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a small-group tour
What you'll see & do
- ✓Hop on a bicycle and take a guided small-group bike tour along the River Thames, right through the heart of central London. During its 2,000 years of existence, London has faced plagues, great fires, wars and more that have continuously shaped its cityscape -- your local expert guide will actively lead you through this history as you sightsee, making your trip an educational and enjoyable experience. During this bike tour, cycle on both banks of the Thames, admiring London's top attractions and stopping along the way for photo opportunities. Part of your itinerary will be determined by your guide on the day, depending on the group's overall preferences. Your sightseeing will include Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge
- ✓Elizabeth Tower is the name of the famous clock tower which stands at the Houses of Parliament. The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell.
- ✓Elegantly rotating over the River Thames, it's the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel.
- ✓St. Paul's has been the site of many historic state occasions; including Sir Winston Churchill's state funeral and the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
- ✓One of London's most famous landmarks, the historic Tower houses the Crown Jewels, the prison cell of Sir Walter Raleigh, known as the Bloody Tower, and the Chapel of St. John and the Royal Armories.
- ✓Founded by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe explores Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote
- ✓Stop for a break at the incredible Borough Market (lunch not included) one of London's largest food markets, famous for its wide range of food from all over the world.
- ✓Fortified, you will continue your tour, crossing one of London's most popular bridges, the Tower Bridge. From Tower Bridge you will pedal on to the area known as the City of London - the city’s financial center - where you’ll see some of the modern glass skyscrapers that have appeared more recently on the famous London skyline.
- ✓You’ll then head on past the Monument to the Great Fire.
- ✓See Leadenhall Market - one of London’s hidden 14th-century gems – and hear how it featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
- ✓Make your way past an old medieval church that was bombed during the World War II blitz before cycling over London Bridge and back to Southwark - where your tour ends. Along the way, you'll also get a beer tasting included an authentic London pub!
What's included
- ✓Guided bike tour
- ✓Use of bike and helmet for the duration of the tour
What's not included
- ✓Cost of lunch
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Children are not recommended on the tour unless they are proficient riders. All guests must be able to ride a bicycle on their own. If you have children in your group, please let us know how many and their ages so we can make sure we have the correct sized bikes. Attachments such as tag-a-longs and trailers are not permitted for the safety of the group.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.