London Drum

Ships & Boat Trips in London - 16 Maritime Attractions & Museums

Looking for ships in London? This page has 16 maritime attractions that I’ve tried myself, from HMS Belfast, the Cutty Sark and Golden Hinde to the National Maritime Museum and boat trips on the Thames. I’ve visited and reviewed every one and given them an honest rating: ★ is okay, ★★ is good and ★★★ is great.

★★Canary WharfCanary Wharf

-One of the city’s big financial hubs situated in the Isle of Dogs, with New York-style skyscrapers and bank headquarters built in the old docklands

★★Chatham DockyardChatham Dockyard

From £32Take a day-trip to the dockyards and board a cold war submarine, a World War II destroyer, a 19th-century sloop, and see inside a rope factory

★★★City CruisesCity Cruises

Only £15These tourist boats run between Westminster Pier (by Big Ben and Parliament) and Greenwich (by the Cutty Sark), going under Tower Bridge

★★Cutty SarkCutty Sark

From £22Cutty Sark was one of the fastest clippers of the 1870s, sailing up to 360 miles a day between London and China. Now she’s docked in Greenwich

★★Golden HindeGolden Hinde

Only £6A perfect replica of the Tudor ship in which the Elizabethan pirate Francis Drake made his circumnavigation of the globe between 1577-80

★★★HMS BelfastHMS Belfast

From £26This cruiser saw action during World War II and played a part in the sinking of the battle cruiser Scharnhorst. It’s now a floating museum

★★★Jason’s Canal TripJason’s Canal Trip

From £19These gentle barges will take you past the pretty houseboats in Little Venice, the Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo, to the lock in Camden Town

★★Little VeniceLittle Venice

FreeThis pretty stretch of water at the junction of Regent’s Canal and Grand Union Canal is home to some picturesque houseboats and cafes

London Canal MuseumLondon Canal Museum

Under £10Discover the history of the Regent’s Canal, and how they used to transport cargos up and down the busy waterways by horse and barge

★★London Museum DocklandsLondon Museum Docklands

FreeDiscover the history of how the Thames became one of the world’s busiest waterways, and where the docks have gone

★★National Maritime MuseumNational Maritime Museum

FreeThe history of the Royal Navy from the Spanish Armada to World War II, plus the jacket that Nelson wore at Trafalgar

★★★Old Royal Naval CollegeOld Royal Naval College

From £19Christopher Wren’s old Seaman’s Hospital was built on the same spot as Greenwich Palace, and has a famous Painted Hall

★★St Katharine DocksSt Katharine Dock

-Not many people have discovered this calm little oasis behind Tower Bridge, full of restaurants and beautiful boats in gleaming marinas

★Thames Flood BarrierThames Barrier

Only £6The Thames Barrier at Woolwich was built to protect London from flooding, and has a little museum showing you how the technology works

★★★Thames River SightseeingThames River Sightseeing

Under £15These sightseeing boats go from Big Ben past the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, all the way to Greenwich pier

★★★Thames ClippersUber Boat

From £24These boats are like a bus service on water, taking you fifteen miles from Putney in the west all the way through central London to the O2 Arena

More ideas to help you choose which places to visit

One day in London with kids

I’ve included the Golden Hinde and HMS Belfast in one of my example itineraries that make a great family day out with kids

Top 10 London attractions for kids

Three of these boats make great days out with kids - the Cutty Sark, HMS Belfast and Golden Hinde - but what are my ten favourite places?