Discover the extraordinary history
and architecture
of the Thames and
Waterloo Bridge

Join Open City for a special tour along the River Thames surveying the landmark architecture of central London’s embankments and bridges with guest speaker Simon Bradley

Departing from Crown Pier close to Blackfriars Bridge, this special edition of our regular boat tour first ventures upriver to Nine Elms, taking in the newly restored Battersea Power Station and KieranTimberlake’s American Embassy. Heading back downriver, our guide will explore the design and history of Michael Hopkins’ imposing Portcullis House, the Neo-classical Somerset House and Renzo Piano’s Shard, among many other landmarks, before returning to Crown Pier.

Along the way, the tour will pass beneath Waterloo Bridge, where it will explore details from the late Andrew Saint’s illuminating final book, Waterloo Bridge and London River: Investigations and Reflections. A former General Editor of the Survey of London and one of the foremost architectural historians of his generation, Saint used the bridge as a lens on the tidal Thames itself: the politics and economics of bridge building, the making of the embankments, and the working river that once filled this stretch with lighters, barges and tugs.

For this special commemorative boat tour Open City tour guide Benedict O’Looney will share the microphone with guest speaker Simon Bradley, joint editor of the Pevsner Architectural Guides. Simon has revised the Pevsner volumes on the City of London and Westminster, the two riverside districts the tour follows, and is also known for his acclaimed histories of Britain’s railways. His contributions will add a further layer of expertise on the buildings lining the embankments

The tour will trace the story from John Rennie’s granite bridge of 1817, painted by Constable and Monet, to Giles Gilbert Scott’s elegant replacement, completed in 1945 and known as the ‘Ladies’ Bridge’ for the women who helped build it during the Second World War.

This unique riverside tour offers a fresh perspective on London’s emerging and established skyline. It is led by our specialist guide Benedict, whose in-depth knowledge, founded on his work as a practising architect based in Peckham and a teacher at the prestigious Architectural Association, guarantees deep insight and thoughtful commentary.

Key information

Depart/Return: Crown Pier, Victoria Embankment EC4Y 0HJ

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Duration: 2.45 hours approx

Cost: £35.50 / £19.50

Restrictions: Regretfully no under-7s, no dogs

Pre-order mulled cider can be purchased here

This boat tour has limited capacity. Seating will be available both inside and outside. Please select your preferred option when purchasing your ticket below. The outside seating area is not covered in the event of rain so please dress appropriately for the weather. Drinks and light snacks are available for purchase. There are toilets on board.

Tickets are non refundable and our tours go ahead rain or shine…

We aim to be inclusive and accessible where possible. Please contact Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk to discuss your requirements (as different boats have different access provisions) reduced ticket prices and if you require a free carer ticket or have any additional queries.

Enter code GROUP-BOAT at the shop page checkout for 15% discount on purchase of 3 standard or concession single boat tour tickets or more

Andrew Saint’s 'Waterloo Bridge and London River: Investigations and Reflections' published by Lund Humphries can be purchased with a special 30% discount via Lund Humphries' website with code River30. 

 

Meet the tour guide…

Benedict O’Looney was a project architect with Grimshaw Architects and Alsop Architects prior to setting up his own studio Benedict O’Looney Architects in 2005 . Graduating from the Yale School of Architecture in 1992, Benedict has taught architecture history and building technology at the Architectural Association, The University of Kent, the Canterbury School of Architecture, and New York University.

Benedict is the chair of Southwark’s Conservation Areas Advisory Group which advises Southwark Council on planning applications in conservation areas and involving listed buildings. Benedict O’Looney is also on the Victorian Society Southern Buildings Committee, the Committee of the Peckham Society and is a past President of the London Sketch Club.

Open City's year-round tours programme is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.