Make August awesome
Find out what's happening along the river this month
Summer Festivals in London
Summer on the Square
From 1 August, the National Gallery will host a programme of free, daily creative sessions and activities. Made for children by children, immerse yourself in studio activities and be ready to sketch, make, move, explore, and be inspired by the National Gallery Collection!
Summer in the Courtyard
Also from 1 - 31 August, Somerset House will be opening its gates to the courtyard, where you and your family can enjoy the sunshine (if we have any) alongside food & drink pop-ups, whilst viewing the magnificent fountains. And on weekends, experience a series of live events and performances from local creatives and communities.
Battersea Games
Make your way to Battersea Power Station for a new event featuring an evolving calendar of sports and games suitable for all ages until 8 September. As an official Team GB fanzone, the event also showcases Olympic sports and provides a thrilling atmosphere for fans. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking for some family-friendly fun, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
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Summer by the River
Until 1 September, lose yourself in new experiences, reconnect with old friends and feed your curiosity or your appetite, at London Bridge City's Summer by the River! There’ll be live music, film, theatre, sport, pop-up bars, street food and much more.
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
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Turning Tides
Prepare for an exhilarating day of global rhythms as the Turning Tides Festival returns to Greenwich Peninsula on Saturday, 10 August. This vibrant celebration will transform Design District into a lively epicenter of live music and community spirit. Enjoy a stellar lineup of renowned UK and international artists, with the festival culminating in a headline performance by the dynamic Girl Ray.
Nearest pier: North Greenwich
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Battersea Park In Concert
Enjoy a perfect weekend from 24 - 26 August as Battersea Park hosts a three day open-air concert series! Unpack your picnic, pop the fizz and relax into the ideal summer’s day to night, celebrating the best in Classical, West End Musicals, Soul & Jazz.
Nearest pier: Battersea Power Station
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The Formula 1 Exhibition
Car enthusiasts and racing fans won't want to miss this! Starting 23 August, head to ExCeL London to immerse yourself in a spectacular display of Formula 1® memorabilia. Explore an impressive collection of artefacts, rare photographs, and more. Mark your calendars for this must-see event!
Nearest pier: Royal Wharf (then bus 241) or North Greenwich (and fly across on the IFS Cloud Cable Car)
Sail from Gravesend & Tilbury
Hop aboard our special sailings from the estuary towns directly to the heart of the capital this summer. Sailings available from Gravesend and Tilbury every week.
From Tilbury, the boat will take just 60 minutes to reach Greenwich Peninsula (North Greenwich Pier). You can stay on board and disembark anywhere up to the London Eye (Waterloo) Pier! Along the way, you'll sail past many of the city's iconic sights, including the Thames Barrier, The O2, The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and under Tower Bridge
Enjoy summer with the family and spend the day making unlimited journeys aboard our services. A Family Hop-on Hop-off gives unlimited all-day travel to 2 adults and up to 3 children (5 to 15). Kids 4 and under travel free.
Things to do in London with the kids
Make the most of London with our Hop-on Hop-off tickets for the ultimate family day out. Choose from different filters to tailor your adventure as you embark and disembark at various piers, exploring iconic landmarks and hidden gems within walking distance. Discover the capital's attractions and plan your adventure using our interactive River Guide.
Explore more:
London's best riverside playgrounds
Things to do in London with kids (use our filters to better fit your day)
Make a splash
Help the kids cool off during the summer holidays by taking them to the many kid-friendly fountains along our route:
More London Riverside Fountains
On a sunny day, people adore jumping through the fountains near The Scoop amphitheatre in London Bridge City. With 200 spouting jets and views of City Hall and Tower Bridge in the background, it's the perfect setting for splashing with a view!
Nearest pier: London Bridge City
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Splash Park Barking
One fountain not quite cutting it? Splash Park Barking is only a short bus ride away (EL1 or EL3) from Barking Riverside Pier. It has a wide variety of fountain features going up and down at different intervals, as well as a soft, flat ground to keep the little ones safe. Relax and have fun!
Nearest pier: Barking Riverside
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Leicester Square Fountain
Located at the heart of Leicester Square, a lovely play fountain surrounds the statue of Shakespeare in the centre. Cool off while watching the many street performers around the square!
Nearest pier: Embankment
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London Craft Beer Festival
And to celebrate your Triathlon success, or just for the less athletic of us, head to Wapping's Tobacco Dock from 9 - 10 August for the world's best craft beer festival!
You'll have the opportunity to try more than 700 beers, from hundreds of world-class breweries - with all the beer you can drink included in the price of your ticket. Of course, to soak it all up, there will be a selection of delicious food options available as well as a live music line-up to get you in the mood!
Nearest pier: Tower
Yoga in the Painted Hall
Join in for a bespoke morning yoga session in the serene and stunning Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College. Held on the last Friday of each month, this month's class on 30 August will be led by Lucía Jiménez. Don't miss this unique opportunity to practice yoga in such a spectacular setting!
Nearest pier: Greenwich
Battersea Park
200-acres of open green space, floral gardens and a boating lake, Battersea Park lies on the south bank of the River Thames. The park has stunning river views, a children's zoo and an adventure playground that kids love!
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.
Nearest pier: Greenwich
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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 Saint 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.
Nearest pier: Tower
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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 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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Chelsea Physic Garden
Celebrating it's 350th anniversary, 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
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From fairs, to light shows, and even a heart-stopping tight-rope walker, the festival brings together UK and international artists in a programme of ground-breaking activities and displays in iconic public spaces across London between 23 August - 8 September.
Nearest pier: Various