Transport for LondonLead us into Thames temptations
One quintessentially English way to go with the flow is aboard a RiverLiner, enjoying London's panorama with a classic afternoon tea cruise, complete with scones and jam.
For 20 of your closest friends, City Cruises will make tea time a treat to remember (http://www.citycruises.com/).
If you feel the need for speed, top gear in a speedboat to the Thames Barrier provides maximum thrills.
Aboard a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), such as those used by the Special Forces, you'll cut a formidable sight as you whisk by.
Passenger numbers are limited to 12 including a knowledgeable guide (http://www.thamesribexperience.com/; http://www.londonribvoyages.com/).
Why not join a cookery course while you cruise down river?
Top Sail Events is offering creative courses in Italian cooking and sushi-making.
For more magic, this is one of the few Thamesbased companies to open Tower Bridge as you cruise by (http://www.topsailevents.co.uk/).
The play's the thing with Turk Launches which offers a theatre cruise combining a gentle hour of sailing to view Hampton Court, one of England's finest palaces, with a two-course lunch at a Kingston riverside restaurant and a matinee theatre performance (http://www.turks.co.uk/).
Relaxing aboard a Sunseeker under the shadow of Big Ben to celebrate New Year's Eve ticks all the boxes.
With Thames Executive Charters you combine luxury cruising and dining alongside high profile events such as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and the Chelsea Flower Show (http://www.thamesexecutivecharters.com/).
Commuting by Thames Clippers
NOW that you can use your Oyster card on Thames Clippers and take the river to work, the following information may be useful:
Why Thames Clippers?
It operates a 20-minute frequency between key London piers including The O2, Greenwich, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Embankment and Waterloo as well as several residential piers.
A direct shuttle service between London Bridge and Canary Wharf provides a 10-minute frequency service for commuters in peak hours.
What's new?
You can now use Oyster pay as you go on Thames Clippers services and, in the process, receive a 10 per cent discount.
What is Oyster?
A smartcard ticketing system that works seamlessly on the Tube, London Buses, Tramlink, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, Thames Clippers and from January 2, all National Rail services in Greater London.
How does Oyster work?
A typical Oyster transaction takes a fifth of a second, during which the presence of a valid season ticket is identified and, for passengers using pay as you go, the correct fare is calculated.
How do I use Oyster pay as you go on Thames Clippers?
Just touch your Oyster card on the hand-held reader carried by staff on the boat.
Are Thames Clippers services accessible?
All Thames Clippers boats and all piers at which it operates, apart from London Bridge, are accessible.
London River Services, which is part of Transport for London, provides river transport for both commuter and leisure journeys.
Pick up a copy of the latest Guide to River Thames Boat Services at a Tube station, or go to tfl.gov.uk/river for more information
