When you think of public transport in London, you imagine the tube, right?
Or maybe the iconic red double-decker buses. Perhaps, if you’re thinking outside the box you’ll envision trains, or the DLR, or the tram.
But did you know that London offers public transport along the Thames, in the form of the MBNA Thames Clippers? You may have heard them being called river buses, but however you say it, they’re a great way to get around.
For years, this has been my favourite way to travel in London, although for obvious reasons the routes are restrictive – so it’s barely ever necessary for me to catch a Thames Clipper. But whenever I have out of town guests in London, I’ll always take them on one of the Clipper routes, usually from Embankment Pier to Greenwich where we’ll get out for a lovely day exploring museums and markets.
There’s so much to see along the way, from the London Eye to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and my favourite bit of the whole journey: going under Tower Bridge.
I was recently invited to sail to Neverland with MBNA Thames Clippers, to which I replied a hearty yes please.
A journey down the Thames, followed by a performance of Peter Pan at the National Theatre? Don’t mind if I do.
MBNA Thames Clippers Journey to Neverland
On a wintry December evening, we boarded at London Bridge City pier, where we were given our tickets for the journey.
You can also use your Oyster Card on the Thames Clippers, so you don’t need to buy a ticket in advance.
As we glided across the water, past London’s most infamous sights, we sipped a glass of wine (pretty sure it’s one of the only public transport options in the world with a bar!) and giggled as some of Neverland’s Lost Boys caused mayhem among the passengers.
It certainly wasn’t your average trip to the theatre, and by the time we got off at Embankment we were all in stitches.
Peter Pan at the National Theatre
I haven’t been to the theatre in forever. I used to go all the time, back when I was doing Theatre Studies for my A Levels, but I can’t even remember the last production I went to.
So I was pretty excited not only to be going to the theatre, but to see such an iconic story as Peter Pan.
The set was modern and minimal, and the performance was fantastic! I’m not much of a theatre reviewer so bear with me as I try to describe it.
image: copyright Steve Tanner
Based on the timeless story by J.M. Barrie, this particular telling of Peter Pan has been reimagined for a modern audience by Director Sally Cookson. Characters wearing striped pyjamas romp around the stage in what feels like a peek into a child’s imagination, with a lot of laughs and surprises along the way.
image: copyright Steve Tanner
Captain Hook is a terrifyingly vengeful woman, Tinkerbell is a man wearing a fairy light garland and the children fly with the aid of ‘fairy strings’ rather than fairy dust. I don’t want to give too much away here, but suffice to say you – and your whole family – are sure to love every moment.
image: copyright Steve Tanner
Check out Peter Pan at the National Theatre for yourself!
Thanks to my friends at MBNA Thames Clippers, I have a couple of offers that you can use when you book your theatre tickets for Peter Pan, which is showing at the National Theatre until February 4 2017.
Travel to the theatre along the river with a MBNA Thames Clippers and enjoy 1/3 off travel when you buy single tickets online using the code PeterPan16.
And…enjoy a £5 per person discount off evening performances of Peter Pan at the National Theatre when buying adult tickets in price band B (from £52) and price band C (from £39), subject to availability. To take advantage of the promotion and see the leader of the Lost Boys in action, simply use the code CLIPPERCODE at the point of purchase.
Thanks to MBNA Thames Clippers for the magical night out!
