All aboard for August adventures
Let's sail through the summer holidays
School's out, summer's here and there's so many adventures to be had across the city this month! Below you can find some of the great goings-on in London that you can sail to this August.
Please bear in mind that all events listed are subject to change, check whether they are going ahead and book in advance where possible. Remember, you must wear a face-covering aboard our services, and measures are still in place for the safety of our staff and fellow customers.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) returns 27 August - 11 September!
Free outdoor theatre and performing arts breathe life into the city's streets for the 26th GDIF. With events taking place from Blackfriars to Woolwich, this year's festival promises to push the boundaries of outdoor performance, raising the ambition, quality and diversity of outdoor arts produced in the UK.
We’ve just launched East Zone River Roamer tickets in time for GDIF! Enjoy unlimited all-day travel between Canary Wharf and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers, perfect to move around during the festival.
You can see the full festival line-up here, and check out some of our favourite events this month:
Borealis, 27 August-5 September, Old Royal Naval College
Time seems to slow down as eyes look up with Dan Acher’s second incredible installation at GDIF 2021. Borealis offers a mesmerising “must see” moment of awe and wonder in two extraordinary locations. This spectacular installation will create the experience of the Northern Lights over two locations; first lighting up the sky above Greenwich 27 August - 5 September before moving downstream to Woolwich Barracks next month.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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Dance by Design, 28 & 29 August, Greenwich Peninsula
London’s first-ever elevated riverside linear park plays host to a collection of dazzling dance performances which celebrate the eagerly-anticipated launch of Greenwich Peninsula’s new Design District later in September. Patrick Ziza’s flamboyant celebration of African style, Dandyism, and Ashley Peevor’s experimental composition, The Lost Opera, will delight audiences along The Tide, whilst Finale will see daring aerial ballet dazzle from the façade of the Ravensbourne building.
Nearest pier: North Greenwich
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Greenwich Fair, 29 August, Greenwich Town Centre
GDIF’s much loved annual ‘festival within a festival’ is back! Family-friendly street arts, theatre, circus, installations and play are set in stunning grounds of the Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark Gardens on August Bank Holiday Sunday.
Featuring puppetry, interactive technology, storytelling, installations, drag and more, this year’s feast of outdoor arts is not to be missed.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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On Your Doorstep: Deptford, 28 August, Twinkle Park
Part of 'On Your Doorstep', which aims to bring the festival spirit beyond town centres, three different festival events take place at Deptford's Twinkle Park. 'Prospero' puts community collaboration centre-stage in a magical interactive playground, Do What Yah Mama Told Yah!' is an immersive and vibrant family friendly circus show and 'The Tide' is an artistic collaboration between choreographer, Jade Hackett, and writer, Ryan Calais Cameron, which explores the narratives and experiences of migration.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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Black Victorians, 31 August - 2 September, Guildhall Yard
Exploring a complex, but often forgotten black presence in pre-Windrush Britain, this performance calls attention to previously hidden figures and challenges historical and contemporary perceptions. Presented in Guildhall Yard, against the backdrop of London’s historic Guildhall, performances of Black Victorians will be presented as part of the City of London’s Outdoor Arts programme, A Thing of Beauty. Originally previewed at GDIF 2020, this full production of Black Victorians will return to St George’s Garrison Church in Woolwich on 10 and 11 September.
Nearest pier: Blackfriars or Bankside
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Let a magical sphere take you on an outdoor sonic adventure around London Bridge from 11 - 15 August.
Seemingly possessed of its own mind, the sphere leads you through familiar and unfamiliar terrain. Can you keep the sphere ‘happy’ by going in the right direction? In return the sphere will take you on a listening voyage to the mysterious final destination where you will encounter a meeting of the spheres, a chiming, pulsing web of electronic sound.
Congregation takes 35-45 minutes, involves outdoor walking around London Bridge and costs just £5.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
Have you ever seen a ship that can walk on land? James Capper's amazing and ambitious new work 'Mudskipper' is a large-scale amphibious sculpture that was unveiled at Battersea Power Station last month.
The sculpture, which has been co-funded by Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms and the Royal Docks, will emerge onto the Royal Dock's foreshore, at North Woolwich, to demonstrate its abilities on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 August as well as Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September.
Nearest pier: Woolwich (Royal Arsenal), then cross the river via foot tunnel or ferry.
From Sunday 8 August, Mudskipper will also be on display at the Royal Victoria Dock, accompanied by a free exhibition of James Capper’s drawings and photography charting the making of Mudskipper. The exhibition will be in the Good Hotel, next to where Mudskipper is on display, from Monday 2 August.
Nearest piers: North Greenwich, then cross the river via Emirates Air Line, or
Royal Wharf, then a 30 minute walk.
This month, Battersea Power Station's Arches Cinema and Turbine Theatre have joined forces to present London's most unique open-air cinema and theatre experience.
Summer Showtime takes place on the historic Coaling Jetty, on the River Thames in front of the Grade II* listed Power Station until 30 August. Screenings include Frozen, Mamma Mia! and The Dark Knight, which actually used Battersea Power Station as a set! A theatrical production of The Wind in the Willows, written by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes, Romeo & Juliet and Jane Eyre are just some of the live performances which will take to the unique Summer Showtime stage.
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
Summer festivals
It's been a quiet year but dance, music, art and cultural festivals have returned to the capital! Here are some of our favourites:
Together again, in Vauxhall
Nobody needs an excuse to get out the house this summer, but just in case you did, Together Again gives you the perfect reason to meet up once more, in Vauxhall.
From film screenings (3, 10 and 17 August), Bearpit Karaoke (14 August) to a Victorian fun fair (Saturday 28 August), Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is the place to go for fun, free and unexpected things to do this month!
Nearest pier: Vauxhall (St George Wharf)
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Summer Sessions
A bold, bright and colourful festival quarter covers Greenwich Peninsula for Summer Sessions which takes place every weekend until September. Summer Sessions events are a free celebration of community spirit, culture and the great outdoors in London's emerging cultural quarter.
This month, The Tide will play host to free outdoor cinema on 7, 14 and 21 August, FLOW Farmers Market returns to The Peninsula on 8 and 22 August and Just Vibez hosts a DJ residency on 21 and 22 August.
Nearest pier: North Greenwich
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Summer by the River
Summer By The River brings the south bank between London Bridge and Tower Bridge to life for over three months of warm summer festivities.
Al-fresco drinking and dining pop-ups complement the London Bridge City Estate's stunning views of the City of London and the esplanade is playing host to a full-packed programme of free entertainment, screenings and activities.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
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Kensington + Chelsea Festival
Two months of music, art, dance and poetry bring colour to the Royal Borough throughout August.
The festival celebrates and promotes Kensington & Chelsea as a cultural hotspot; unveiling the unexpected, highlighting local spirit, and showcasing an extraordinary cross-section of art and culture. Inspired by the rich heritage, creativity, culture and innovation in Kensington and Chelsea, the events highlights the work of the Royal Borough's communities and organisations and particularly the wealth of behind the scenes talent which has been on hold over the past year.
Nearest pier: Cadogan or Battersea Power Station
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Sculpture in the City
The Square Mile has transformed into a rotating gallery as part of the Sculpture in the City project.
The tenth instalment of Sculpture in the City officially launched on 15 June. The City's streets are interwoven with even more works of modern art that bring pause for thought to London's historic business district.
Nearest piers: Blackfriars or Tower
Find out moreA colourful collection of natural light exhibitions celebrate the summer months across the Canary Wharf Estate. Unlike Canary Wharf's Winter Lights, the Summer Lights are designed to be appreciated in the day as the sun's rays create colourful patterns around the modern business district.
The Summer Lights are free to explore and can be viewed from sunlight till sunset every day until 21 August.
Nearest pier: Canary Wharf
Inspired by the boats that pass under London's most famous bridge each day (including us!), Tower Bridge invites you to help create a giant fleet on their Glass Floor. Head to one of Tower Bridge's Family Activity Days on Tuesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 or Saturday 21 August to make an origami boat and add your very own vessel to the bridge's paper boat flotilla!
Nearest piers: Tower or London Bridge City
This summer, sail to Royal Wharf’s beautifully landscaped riverside between Lyle Park and Thames Barrier Park, and discover Meet Me At the Pier, a brand new exciting summer events programme for East London’s community.
Taking place 18 August - 26 September, highlights include the Riverscape Pop-Up, a pop-up bar right beside the pier with live music and stunning views which starts from 28 August. Friday 27 August will be Street Food Friday and there'll be plenty of family fun, free things to do and waterfront sundowners.
Nearest pier: Royal Wharf
London’s most unique dining experience has returned to The O2 for three months this summer, offering a range of exciting sky-high experiences every day. Experience first-class food, delicious drinks and unparalleled views of the capital’s skyline, all while suspended 100ft in the sky.
Throughout the summer, guests at the 22-seat tables can enjoy a range of specially curated experiences & menus including Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Cocktails and Dinner. Tickets for London in the Sky are on sale now and the sky-high dining experience is open until 26 September.
Nearest pier: North Greenwich
FestLatAm
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August, Guildhall Yard
Image credit: FestLatAm
Taste delicious food from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and more. With delicious cocktails and other refreshments, dance performances and Latin DJs, this is a celebration of all things Latin American.
Taking place 12:00 - 22:30 on Saturday and 12:00 - 21:30 on Sunday, FestLatAm is part of the City of London Corporation’s outdoor arts programme, A Thing of Beauty.
Nearest pier: Bankside
Carnival City
Friday 27 - Monday 30 August, Guildhall Yard
Image credit: Daniel-Lloyd-Blunk-Fernandez
An ode to the Masquerade where sights, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean come to life, Carnival City will see Guildhall Yard transformed into a space of colour and life using sustainable and upcycled materials.
There will be a programme of activities focused on Caribbean and Carnival culture for the whole family with sound system music, live performances, food, rum punch festival, masquerade, arts and culture. It's one not to be missed so why not bring an old costume and 'play ah mas'.
Nearest pier: Blackfriars or Bankside
Life at sea can be dangerous, tiring and breathtakingly beautiful.
The National Maritime Museum's Exposure: Life at Sea is a new photography exhibition examining what life is really like at sea today, through a seafarers’ lens.
The exhibition is free to visit but you must book a trip in advance.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
Image credit: Cezar Gabriel
Borough Market can trace its origins back for over 1000 years. Throughout the millennium, traders have gathered at the south entrance to London Bridge every day except Sundays, until now!
Selling speciality foods and drinks, the Victorian market halls beside Southwark Cathedral are criss-crossed by the railway viaducts leading into London Bridge Station. The uniquely London market is popular with visitors and Londoners alike.
Though much of the market is outdoors, please bear in mind that it can get busy and customers are requested to wear a face covering around the stalls.
Nearest pier: Bankside or London Bridge City
Experience dodgems with a difference! Somerset House's famous courtyard has become a bold, bright and beautiful summer fayre featuring food, drinks and dodgems!
The courtyard itself is free to visit but booking in advance is recommended.
Nearest pier: Embankment
Parks and open spaces along our route
Some of London's most stunning green spaces line the banks of the River Thames. Sail with us to:
Battersea Park
Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, Battersea Park lies on the south bank of the River Thames between Chelsea and Albert bridges. The park has stunning river views, a children's zoo and an adventure playground that kids love! But if you are in need of some quiet time head to the Peace Pagoda, located right by the river it’s the perfect place to relax and forget your worries.
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. Greenwich Park used to be a hunting ground for Henry VIII and provides an urban sanctuary for red and fallow deer.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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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 Mall, the procession route between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, forms the park's north border, Horseguard's Parade, Downing Street and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office straddle the park's eastern edge.
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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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 St 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. The tower and steeple survived the bombing and the rest of the site was converted into a park featuring benches, a fountain, trees growing through windows and vines winding themselves around the walls.
Nearest pier: Tower
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Chelsea Physic Garden
Founded in 1673, 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
Find out moreShakespeare’s Globe has reopened for a season of love and life, so discover the joys and wonder of the beautiful wooden ‘O’ on the south bank of the River Thames. Reduced capacities and the COVID procedures they have in place mean you can visit it safely, and still enjoy yourself.
In the open-air theatre space, they have productions to suit everyone’s taste. Come and join the fiesta at A Midsummer Night’s Dream, their colourful, chaotic and ‘utterly joyous’ (Time Out) show (26 May - 30 October). Cry tears of laughter with the multi- talented musical company at the comedy As You Like It and find the magic on the island as the same company perform The Tempest, a tale of betrayal, love and forgiveness (8 June – 29 August). Experience a fiery new version of Twelfth Night, infused with the mesmeric nostalgia and soulful music of the world of Americana (6 August – 16 October). Try a playful new piece of theatre inspired by Ovid’s powerful collection of myths, written bespoke for our candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (30 September - 30 October). Or find new significance in a fresh production of the ill-fated Romeo & Juliet (26 June – 17 October). Celebrate all that unites us – stories, laughter, tears and nature – and get up close with live performances of our most famous poet’s plays once again.
You can also book guided tours to uncover the secrets of the iconic playhouse once again, which are available Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am – 12.00pm and Sunday 10.00am – 11.00am.
Nearest pier: Bankside
