Thanks to Horrible Histories Horrible Thames river tour for offering us with evaluation tickets for the expertise
As big followers of the Horrible Histories books, TV collection, movie and theatre reveals, we had been thrilled to have the chance to step on board the Horrible Histories Horrible Thames river tour throughout a latest journey to London throughout the Easter holidays.
Setting sail from Tower Bridge Quay – only a stone’s throw from the Tower of London – this 45-minute expertise is fast-paced, interactive, extremely enjoyable, and stuffed with memorable details about a few of the extra ugly parts of the river’s eventful historical past.
What to anticipate on the Horrible Histories Horrible Thames river tour
As we take to our seats on the open prime deck of the boat, we’re greeted by Billy and his trainer (or Billie, as there are a number of actors rotating the elements). Billy has gained a particular journey on the river along with his trainer… but it surely appears Billy is aware of greater than the trainer in regards to the darker tales of the Thames, because of the grisly and ugly tales handed down by his household.
Co-written by Terry Deary, creator of the Horrible Histories books, and Neal Foster, who wrote the theatre reveals and likewise directs the boat tour, the details come thick and quick as we sail previous well-known London monuments together with the Tower of London, London Bridge, Pudding Lane, Millennium Bridge, Cleopatra’s Needle, the London Eye, The Homes of Parliament and Large Ben, and again.
There are grisly tales of beheadings and hangings, tales of the plague and pirates, witches and world conflict two, Jack the Ripper and the river’s half within the slave commerce. It’s all peppered with loads of humour, with jokes about poos and farts aplenty and sensible sound results. The adults chortle as a lot as the kids.
Horrible Thames is brilliantly entertaining but additionally extremely informative too. For us as vacationers we discovered a lot about well-known landmarks and London historical past, and bought to see lots of locations in a brief area of time and from a unique angle too, however I can think about that even locals will uncover a aspect of the town they by no means knew existed.
The fast-paced nature of the boat tour means there are not one of the historic costumes acquainted from the TV and theatre reveals – however we’re handled to a number of madcap musical numbers together with one about poo plus a rousing rendition of What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor? which has the whole boat singing alongside.
We had been fortunate with the nice and cozy climate which means we might sit on the open prime deck, but when it’s raining the efficiency takes place on the decrease enclosed deck, with loads of home windows which means you’ll be able to nonetheless see the landmarks alongside the river.
Age-wise, my kids are 12, 10 and eight and the tour was completely pitched for them. They’re aware of the Horrible Histories format so knew to anticipate some ugly details, however are sufficiently old to not be unsettled by discuss of beheadings and hangings. The boat tour expertise is open to all ages however usually beneficial for these age 5 and above, though youthful extra delicate kids could discover sure parts upsetting. (Attempt the books and TV reveals first when you’re uncertain.)
That is nothing like your normal boat tour; we beloved discovering out extra in regards to the well-known London landmarks alongside the Thames and discovering extra about its historical past. Academic, entertaining, partaking and energetic, this can be a nice whistlestop tour of a few of London’s most well-known landmarks stuffed with uncommon details and tales you gained’t get wherever else.
My 10 12 months previous son’s verdict: “I actually favored it. You be taught all about historic London and extra. The actors had been actually good, they’d an excellent sense of humour. I favored the songs as a result of they had been humorous and upbeat. It was cool to be taught extra in regards to the bridges. We discovered a number of fascinating details similar to you’re not allowed to promote on the River Thames however the OXO constructing says their constructing will not be an advert, it’s simply the form of the home windows. I favored that there was lots of details about murders and different ugly issues. I might advocate it to anybody who likes historical past and who likes to chortle.”
The best way to ebook the Horrible Histories Horrible Thames boat tour
Horrible Histories Horrible Thames boat tour takes place every day, with a number of sailings per day. The boat departs from Tower Bridge Quay (previously St Katharine Pier) on the north financial institution of the Thames, east of Tower Bridge (in entrance of the Tower Lodge. Postcode – E1W 1LD. The pier is roughly 10 minutes stroll from Tower Hill Underground Station.
Advance tickets booked on-line value £22 for adults off peak and £25 peak, £20/£23 for seniors and £14/£15 for kids. Below 3s are free. Household tickets (two adults and two kids) value £65 off peak and £72 peak. On the day tickets value £27 for adults, £16 for kids and £25 for seniors, with household tickets £78.
For extra info go to the Horrible Thames web site
For a video snapshot of the tour try my Reel on the Cardiff Mummy Says Instagram channel.
Different close by nearest sights embody the Tower of London and HMS Belfast, plus there are many cafes and eating places alongside the river and grass verges to cease for a picnic.
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