If you and yours are planning a trip to the UK capital for a short-break and are looking to enjoy it in the near future, then your minds will quickly wander to just what to see and do while you’re here. That’s a good point because you may not be aware that via many of the fun but rather unusual rides over and through the city (that is, via cable car, helicopter and river boat) you can combine a unique activity and taking in all the sights…
Emirates Air Line
(Greenwich)
If you’re not really sure whether your little ones are quite prepared for the London Eye then you might want to try this instead. Indeed, for families where the little ones truly are little, it may work out to be better for attraction for the money. Speaking of which, prices for kids on the Air Line are relatively cheap, so it’s far from a bad deal, not least the ride goes properly high above the London skyline affording you and yours and truly scenic, albeit fairly rapid view of the city. Plus, to get to the attraction, you can take a loop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Greenwich and, following the Air Line ride, take a clipper back to North Greenwich – all of it on the Oyster card.
The London Helicopter Tour
(The POD Building, Bridges Court SW11 3BE)
Don’t doubt it; this is an especially cool thing to do if you want to spoil yourself rotten while staying at a great accommodation like the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate hotel. And it’s a family-friendly attraction at that; rather than one merely for the thrill-seekers. Special mention too should go to the departure lounge, a particularly scenic spot to spend a moment or two waiting for your ride as you watch helicopters take off and land ahead of a quick safety briefing and then you’re up, off and away! Plus, of course, once in the chopper, you’ll receive a supreme view of the London spread beneath, as you zoom over the Thames, taking in all the sights available of one of this, one of the greatest, most exuberant and fascinating cities on the face of the planet.
The Thames RIB Experience
(Victoria Embankment WC2N 6NU)
There’s no question about it; the Thames River Boat excursion makes for a great Thames-based day out, especially as so many excursions are possible with a large number of choices of vessel for your day’s ride too. For instance, if you fancy catching the city’s Thameside sights in an alternative fashion – that is, at high-speed, arguably in a James Bond-like style, then you most certainly won’t be disappointed by what Thames RIB offers! By contrast, the service’s guided tour is a slower, steadier and very interesting and informative affair (so perhaps ideal for families with younger children, with its starting-point easy to reach should you be staying at one of the hotels near Lancaster Gate Tube station), given that it passes the likes of Tower Bridge and many more attractions along the way.
