Thames Clipper: Putney to Barking Riverside

By way of an exploratory adventure, rather than with any systematic plan, I got the Thames Clipper along the Thames all the way through London from Putney to Barking Riverside. At Barking Riverside, I did a short circular walk along the Thames foreshore and around the new development. Then I took the Thames Clipper back to Greenland Dock (Surrey Quays), and walked across the Rotherhithe Peninsula to Canada Water tube station.

Powering away from Chelsea

After a period operating solely in Central London, Thames Clippers have extended their services out to Putney in the West and Barking Riverside in the East, with regular departures throughout the day. This provides a very enjoyable, convenient and (relatively) low cost way to see London both from the water, and also on foot, by disembarking and walking between the various stops along the way.

Chelsea Harbour Pier

Here's a map.

I took the train to Putney station (just a few minutes train ride from Clapham Junction), then walked the short way down to Putney Pier, where I purchased a one-day River Roamer Hop-on Hop-off ticket which offers unlimited trips. The cost was £12.30 concessionary fare, as I have a Senior Bus Pass. There is no ticket office, only a machine or on-line, and you must buy a ticket before boarding.

Putney Pier

I boarded the 1030 service which terminates at North Greenwich (beside the O2 Arena) at around 1230, then got a 1300 service to Barking Riverside, finally arriving at around 1320, so nearly a 3 hour journey in all..

Thames Clipper arriving (they are branded 'Uber Boats')

The river journey takes you past all the sights along the River. As well as the old favourites (Houses of Parliament, St Pauls, Bankside Tate Modern, Tower of London etc), you will see the many new buildings which have shot up over the last decade or so - mainly towering apartment blocks in the West around the re-purposed Battersea Power Station, and 'statement' office blocks in the City and Docklands, which - love them or loathe them - are impressive in their own way. And of course you pass under all the bridges. 

Ancient.....

... and Modern

The journey from North Greenwich passes through the Thames Barrier and calls at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.

From North Greenwich, you can get the Cable Car across to the Royal Docks

Passing through the Thames Barrier

My walk around Barking Riverside followed the official trail along the grassy river frontage overlooking tidal mud flats which will doubtless attract wading birds in winter. They were fairly quiet today (July), just a few gulls, but it was great to see a family of kestrels hover-hunting over the grass, and many wildflowers. Then the walk heads inland and circumnavigates the  new development. There are several completed apartment blocks and streets of houses, with many more under development. It was good to see that infrastructure seems to have been put in first, with an excellent station, numerous buses, a school, a playground and (of course) the ferry service. Hopefully the sense of community will develop in time. 

Barking Riverside Pier

Apartments under development

Barking Riverside Riverside Walk

Street in Barking Riverside

My walk took about an hour, just right to catch the boat back at 1430, once again changing at North Greenwich. It was rather annoying that we arrived at North Greenwich just too late to meet the scheduled connecting service: they could have held it. But there was another service in about 20 minutes (1520). 

O2 Arena

Having had my fill of boat rides, I decided to disembark at Greenland Dock (Surrey Quays) (at 1540), and walk across the Rotherhithe Peninsula through the Russia Dock Woodland Park, stopping off at Staves Hill, a mound created with rubble from the old docks, which, despite its low height, gives excellent views of the towers of Docklands and the City. I ended the walk at Canada Water tube station (Jubilee Line).

Greenland Dock

Staves Hill

Canary Wharf from Staves Hill

City from Staves Hill

Tower Bridge, BT Tower, St Paul's from Staves Hill

Nicely landscaped street in Rotherhithe

The boats from Putney to North Greenwich are spacious, with an open air covered seating area at the rear, which is great for getting unimpeded photos of the passing sights. The only drawback is that you can't see ahead, so shots will be to the side and rear. It is also quite noisy, being next to the powerful  motors (which also emit rather smelly and hot exhaust gases). Hang on tight when the motors open up! In the main 'cabin', there is comfortable seating, panoramic windows and air conditioning, plus a bar selling snacks, coffee etc. There are loos on board.

Open (covered) rear deck

Inside

Rear viewing deck

The shuttle boats to Barking Riverside are smaller, with no open area.

Shuttle boat to Barking Riverside

From other days out, I know that the services from Greenwich to Central London do get very crowded at peak tourist times (eg Summer weekends), and you may have to join a long queue and wait for the next boat, so bear that in mind if thinking of getting on there. (I'm talking Greenwich proper, not North Greenwich.)

For many other walks around London, see my other blogs.

For some interesting cycle rides around London, including the Capital Ring and Thames, see my companion cycling blog.