Thames Leisure is the only Thames boat and event company that operates from the City of London. Established in 1984, Thames Leisure remained a family run business for the next 25 years as the fleet expanded with the arrival of the Dutch Master in 2001. Thames Leisure's diverse fleet quickly gained a well-earned reputation on the river for its versatility, professionalism, and quality as well as its competitive value for money.
Today Thames Leisure is one of the busiest fleet operators in London, creating imaginative and professionally run events for both corporate and private clients. The unusual and wonderful Sailing Barge Will and her 'Tower Bridge trick' brings something different in London's charter boat offering. We feel that one of the ways we have always distinguished ourselves on the Thames, is through the quality of our customer service.
Today Thames Leisure is one of the busiest fleet operators in London, creating imaginative and professionally run events for both corporate and private clients. The unusual and wonderful Sailing Barge Will and her 'Tower Bridge trick' brings something different in London's charter boat offering. We feel that one of the ways we have always distinguished ourselves on the Thames, is through the quality of our customer service.
Services
When searching for the ideal Thames charter boats for your event, look no further than Thames Leisure's remarkably diverse fleet. Between them, Dutch Master and Sailing Barge Will offer modern, comfortable and affordable private boats on the River Thames while maintaining exceptionally high standards and both can open Tower Bridge for your party.
We strive to keep the Dutch Master competitively priced to attract the very best clients and their guests. If you have a charter price from somewhere else that you think is better, talk to us and let us see if we can match it. We can't always promise we can, but pound-for-pound we think 'The Dutch' is the best party boat available and we'd like the chance to prove it.
Would you like an astonishing river spectacle? Why not open Tower Bridge with our beautiful and charismatic historic Sailing Barge Will? She will charm and impress your guests with her luxurious mahogany-panelled saloon for entertaining groups up to 50. Cruising east from Tower Pier, Sailing Barge Will is the perfect, small venue for corporate entertaining, team building, and intimate parties.
We carefully review and place our prices in a competitive charter boat market in London. This is an ongoing practice to ensure we continue to offer best value to our customers as well as making sure we are in a position to keep our lovely boats as the best in their class. Ultimately though, we understand everyone has budgets.
We pride ourselves on our food which we think is head and shoulders above almost anything else you will find on the river Thames. Certainly pound-for-pound, considering the great value we offer, we are confident you won't taste better. Our head chef Skye Coxe creates wonderful and flavoursome dishes across all our menus.
Reviews (10)
Marcelle Stubbs
Jan 07, 2019
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What a fabulous evening, an experience of a lifetime! I attended a private birthday celebration on the gorgeous Sailing Barge Will last week. My excitement about Tower Bridge opening for this beautiful and historic vessel was fully warranted - it was a pleasure to behold. That was followed by dinner below deck in the beautifully restored dining area, a very intimate venue. All the crew were wonderful and I would wholly recommend it as a venue for a very special party. Thank you so much to you all. x
Sally Coleman
Jan 02, 2019
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We used Thames Leisure for a clay pigeon shoot for our customers yesterday and the whole afternoon was fabulous. Great crew and the clay pigeon team made the event with just the right level of humour! We received lots of positive comments from our customers. Thank you and we will certainly be running another event next year!
Emma
Aug 14, 2018
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We booked Thames Leisure for my father in laws surprise 60th birthday party and the whole team were incredibly helpful, efficient and the communication was amazing. I've never planned a party before and was very worried about how it would all be taken care of but they took care of all our needs including the surprise to help us get all the guests to the pier on time for the surprise! All the guests were so happy and had an amazing evening and furthermore my father in law was so incredibly happy and very surprised!! It was such a success of an evening. We opted for street food as cuisine choice
Bryony Mattam
Dec 04, 2017
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We used Sailing Barge Will as part of our wedding day. Going through Tower Bridge on the boat was spectacular. The staff went beyond their duty to be helpful and we felt the catering was really well done. The boat is delightful downstairs and they were very accomodating when it came to us decorating the tables.
I would fully recommend using sailing Barge Will for your special event.
I would fully recommend using sailing Barge Will for your special event.
Cloie Hearn
Jun 29, 2016
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We had a work party on Friday 5th August and everyone had a fantastic afternoon/evening!
Staff super friendly and willing to go above and beyond, including the DJ who helped us play Limbo and Musical Statues! We had lots of inflatables and banners with us too, and we were allowed on just before our guests to decorate :)
Definitely recommend and will certainly keep in mind if we have another boat party in the near future.
Thanks team!
Staff super friendly and willing to go above and beyond, including the DJ who helped us play Limbo and Musical Statues! We had lots of inflatables and banners with us too, and we were allowed on just before our guests to decorate :)
Definitely recommend and will certainly keep in mind if we have another boat party in the near future.
Thanks team!
Tim Scanlon
Jun 13, 2016
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I hired the William B for a workshop dinner for 70 people. The cruise lasted for four hours and took in all the main sites from the Millennium Dome to MI6, with the Captain even ensuring we passed the Houses of Parliaments in time for the hourly chimes of Big Ben. The food was good, the bar was well stocked and the top deck made for a great vantage point. All the guests (even longterm Londoners) had a great time and loved seeing London from such a unique vantage point. Everyone on the boat and at Thames Leisure were very helpful and friendly throughout.
I would highly recommend this event.
I would highly recommend this event.
Ridgeway Digital
Oct 30, 2015
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We took a trip on sailing barge Will for our office Christmas party.
30 of us were on board and were treated to a delicious 3 course dinner, a roaring fire and beautiful views of Christmassy London with drinks in hand. We even stopped the traffic when Tower Bridge was opened for us, twice!
All the team were extremely helpful both in the run up to the event and on the night itself. Nothing was too much trouble for the team and we were able to customise our event to suit our needs.
A night to remember and definitely one to recommend.
30 of us were on board and were treated to a delicious 3 course dinner, a roaring fire and beautiful views of Christmassy London with drinks in hand. We even stopped the traffic when Tower Bridge was opened for us, twice!
All the team were extremely helpful both in the run up to the event and on the night itself. Nothing was too much trouble for the team and we were able to customise our event to suit our needs.
A night to remember and definitely one to recommend.
R. Stevenson
Oct 26, 2015
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Weather wasn't great but the rain stayed away despite the chill we still had a great time aboard Will - the 90 year old Sailing barge. When we boarded we were delighted to see a great fire below deck which made the area cosy and warmed us up. The staff were excellent, my (adult) daughter even had a go steering the vessel - with the Captain standing right next to her! Drinks on board were surprisingly inexpensive and they even catered for my Gluten free diet with a Gluten Fee scone - which was lovely. During the trip we went on both the outside and lower decks and it was fine to move around meaning
Richard Osborne
Jul 05, 2015
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I warmly recommend Thames Leisure - the main thing is that it was a lovely occasion thanks to beautiful barge, delicious meal and super helpful staff! I found everyone concerned very efficient and amenable - they were very flexible and let us 'customise' to suit the party for my father. Many thanks!
Annie Stevens
Jun 12, 2015
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I had a birthday party on the river organised through Thames Leisure and my overall experience of the company was very positive.
The admin staff were friendly and helpful throughout the planning stages and there was a representative on board to ensure all went well on the day who did a great job.
One thing I can't comment on is the boat itself as this unfortunately developed a major problem just before my do but I was called by the MD of Thames Leisure who explained the situation and I was immediately offered an alternative vessel from another company which was very acceptable. These things happen
The admin staff were friendly and helpful throughout the planning stages and there was a representative on board to ensure all went well on the day who did a great job.
One thing I can't comment on is the boat itself as this unfortunately developed a major problem just before my do but I was called by the MD of Thames Leisure who explained the situation and I was immediately offered an alternative vessel from another company which was very acceptable. These things happen
