The official Tower of London River Tour has launched aboard the UK’s first electric tour boat. Operated by Woods Tours in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, the Tower of London River Tour offers a refined sightseeing experience aboard the purpose-built Silver Raven, a state-of-the-art electric vessel designed to glide cleanly and quietly along the Thames, with panoramic views as London’s stories unfold.
This 40-minute live-guided experience blends heritage and humour, inviting passengers to explore the capital from the very river that shaped it. The only tour created in collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces, it brings more than 1,000 years of history accurately to life, as passengers journey past twenty of London’s most iconic landmarks on a circular route from Tower Bridge Quay to Westminster and back.
The live narration, written by Martha Howe-Douglas, co-creator of BBC’s Ghosts, brings London’s stories to life with wit, warmth and wonder, revealing the river’s role as both lifeline and legend. Martha says, “I’ve been on a deep dive through the Thames’ murky past (thankfully not literally!), unearthing the stories that have shaped London. To see the Silver Raven set sail from the Tower, carrying those tales into the future, is very special. It’s such an honour to be part of the brilliant team who are bringing the past to life, on a boat designed for the future.”
Purpose-built for London, the Silver Raven cuts a sleek silhouette on the River Thames. Its enclosed glass design offers a shield from the elements while revealing uninterrupted panoramic views that frame the river from every seat. Paired with smooth electric propulsion and detailed interiors, it offers a quietly luxurious way to experience the river in all conditions.
The tour is operated aboard the Silver Raven, a 39-metre electric catamaran designed by the Woods family, in collaboration with leading naval architects. Built by superyacht specialists Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, it is powered by a 720 kW EST-Floattech Octopus Series battery bank and engineered for rapid charging between tours, marking a significant step in the decarbonisation of the UK’s domestic maritime sector.
The Silver Raven project received funding through the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC4), delivered by Innovate UK, underscoring its role as a pioneering example of sustainable British shipbuilding. Constructed to the rigorous standards of Lloyd’s Register and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Silver Raven combines advanced technology with British craftsmanship. The arrival of the vessel precedes new electric charging infrastructure at Tower Bridge Quay, to be developed in partnership with the Department for Transport and the Port of London Authority, which aims to allow fully renewable grid charging in 2026.
Chris Kangis, CEO of Woods Tours, said, “The Silver Raven is the product of years of development. It showcases the strength of British shipbuilding and innovation, offering a quiet, clean and beautiful way to experience the Thames and is the future of river tourism.”
The Department for Transport announced a £271 million investment to accelerate the development of green maritime fuel and support innovation across the sector. Against this backdrop, Silver Raven (benefited from funding previously) represents a genuine first: the UK’s first fully electric tour boat.
The vessel demonstrates how sustainable maritime innovation can enhance Britain’s visitor economy while supporting the transition to cleaner waterways. Continued investment in vessels and shoreside infrastructure will enable more electric passenger vessels, like Silver Raven, to operate at scale and realise their full potential on the UK’s waterways.
Interiors by Kate Woods, 5th generation of the Woods family of Thames Watermen, pay homage to London’s river heritage, echoing the heyday of city river cruising. The design connects the Tower of London and the River Thames through sustainable British materials and thoughtful detailing, including panoramic single-deck views with awning-shaded decks, bespoke House of Hackney Axminster carpet woven in Devon, eco-leather seating crafted in Scotland, and a hammered English pewter bar, reflecting light like ripples on water.
Guests can choose from open-air or covered outdoor seating, or stay indoors beneath a glazed ceiling, ensuring a spectacular visual experience whatever the weather.
Click here to check the availability.
