Private Sin & Salvation: River Thames Bike Tour
New To The Site!
London, England
3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
On the Sin & Salvation bike tour you'll unearth a darker side of London, with special access to a notorious graveyard and a visit to where the Mayflower ship departed for the New World. Revel in majestic views of the city including stunning views of the River Thames. Delve into Shakespeare's London and uncover the stomping ground of the world's greatest playwright. Brave an exclusive secret graveyard tour, revealing gritty tales and forgotten history of London's outcasts. Witness the Mayflower ship's historic send-off and explore the legacy of the Pilgrims' daring voyage. Savour a Thames-side treat: sip local ale and embrace riverside camaraderie with fellow adventurers.
What's Included
- Alcoholic beverages Pint of house ale (or soft drink alternative)
- Rain poncho (if required)
- Helmet (optional)
- Tweed cap (optional)
- Hand built British bicycle
- Local guide
Meeting Location
Meeting point
Hercules Road
London SE1 7LD, UK
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Roupell Street
Explore Roupell Street, a fascinating glimpse into 1820s London, with its charming Georgian houses built for the working class. John Roupel reclaimed marshy land and named the streets after his family. Postmen's confusion led to name changes. The area almost burned down in 1829, prompting fire insurance reminders. Notice plaques on houses – without one, private firefighters would let your house burn. Despite WWII bombings, these streets remain.Visit The King's Arms, a Grade II Victorian Pub, offering 10 real ales, including local brews. Once an undertaker's and magistrates' court, it now serves top-notch Thai cuisine.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hopton's Almshouses
Discover Hopton Almshouses, built in 1752 using funds bequeathed by Charles Hopton, a wealthy Guild of Fishmongers member. Initially housing 26 poor, single, elderly Southwark men like gardeners and fishermen, they received a £6 yearly stipend and 32 bushels of coal. Marriage was allowed, but children couldn't burden the parish. By the 19th century, almsmen enjoyed a £10 yearly stipend and a cauldron of coal.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tate Modern
Tate Modern, the world's most-visited modern art gallery, opened in 2000 after transforming a 1950s Bankside Power Station. Its twisted brick pyramid, a 2016 extension, features a 10th-floor viewing gallery. The impressive turbine hall hosts changing, monumental commissions. A masterpiece itself, the building is worth visiting even for non-art lovers. Admire works by renowned 20th/21st-century artists, from Mondrian and Richter to Rothko and Picasso.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral, an emblematic London landmark, held Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding and Winston Churchill's funeral. Wellington and Nelson also lay here. With a rich history dating back to 604 AD, old St. Paul's was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, 1666. Christopher Wren rebuilt it, symbolising resilience. Despite WWII bombings, St. Paul's stands tall as an emblem of survival.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Experience the magic of Shakespeare's Globe, a 1997 reconstruction of the original 1599 venue. As home to The Lord Chamberlain's Men, it saw the debut of many Shakespearean classics.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
The Clink Prison Museum
Delve into Medieval Southwark, the Las Vegas of London, where bathhouses, brothels, gambling, and theatres thrived. Explore the notorious Clink Prison, owned by the Bishop of Winchester, who profited handsomely from its squalid conditions and harsh treatment. Prisoners faced debt, political dissent, and religious nonconformity charges, inspiring puritan pilgrims to flee England.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Winchester Palace
Uncover the history of Winchester Palace, the Bishop's luxurious 12th-century residence, boasting magnificent architecture and gardens. Despite the Bishop's riches from vice, prostitution, and gambling, the palace faced criticism for loose morals and profiteering.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
The Golden Hind
Visit the replica of The Golden Hinde, Sir Francis Drake's famed galleon. Drake, a national hero endorsed by Elizabeth I, circumnavigated the world between 1577 and 1580, engaging in piracy against Spanish ships and settlements. Dubbed a pirate by the Spanish Crown, the vessel now serves as an educational center.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Borough Market
Discover Borough Market, London's oldest and most famous food market, dating back over 1,000 years. The current building hails from the 1850s and has appeared in movies like Bridget Jones and Harry Potter. Today, it's renowned for specialty greengrocers, meats, fish, and street food. Visit the Ginger Pig Butchers, Monmouth Coffee, and Neal's Yard Dairy for an authentic taste of London. Enjoy a 10-minute break to wander, grab a coffee, beer, or cheese!
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance
Explore Crossbones Graveyard, a poignant 16th-century burial site for outcasts like single women, children, prostitutes, and suicide victims. Known for the Winchester Geese, it was a resting place for those suffering from poverty, disease, and violence. The name "Crossbones" refers to small crosses marking children's coffins. Today, it's a memorial site for sex workers worldwide and a cultural meeting point, fostering close ties with the Mexican community.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Ragged School Museum
Visit the Ragged School, founded in 1844 by Dr. Thomas Barnardo, providing education, meals, and medical care to London's poorest children. The school closed in the 1900s, but its legacy lives on through Barnardo's Charity.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Bermondsey Antique Market
Explore Leathermarket and Bermondsey Street, the epicenter of London's leather industry. Once known for noxious industries, the area has transformed into a trendy hub of galleries, food markets, and coworking spaces. Marvel at the area's rich history, from R.W. Auto's former stables to Morocco Street's leather warehouses and Victorian spice warehouse. Bermondsey Street is now a charming London "village," gentrified since the 1990s, and features the famous antique market on Bermondsey Square every Friday. Come witness this captivating blend of history and modernity.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tower of London
Discover the Tower of London, an iconic historical site built by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Once a royal palace, menagerie, observatory, and armoury, it is most famous as a state prison and execution site. Entering through Traitors Gate often meant a grim fate. Notable figures like William Wallace, Thomas More, Henry VI, and Edward V met their demise here, as did Henry VIII's wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Today, the Tower houses the magnificent Crown Jewels, a must-see for any visitor.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge, an iconic symbol of London, is a combined bascule and suspension bridge that spans the River Thames. Completed in 1894, it was designed by Sir Horace Jones and engineered by Sir John Wolfe Barry. The bridge features two neo-Gothic towers connected by a central walkway and has become a major tourist attraction. The Tower Bridge Exhibition, housed within the towers, offers visitors a chance to learn about the bridge's history and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the glass-floored walkway. The bascules are raised around 800 times a year to allow tall ships to pass through, providing a spectacular sight for onlookers.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Butlers Wharf
Explore Butler's Wharf, once the largest tea warehouse globally, and now a prime real estate area, thanks to Terence Conran's investment in 1983. Nearby, you'll find Saint Saviour's Wharf, a rare example of Victorian London industrial architecture. This area was once the heart of the spice trade and had connections to gin production. Charles Dickens, who knew the area well, based Fagin's den in Oliver Twist here. Concordia Wharf, another historic site, was built in the 19th century as a sugar refinery within the famed "sugar triangle.”You'll also discover a thought-provoking Banksy artwork from February 2008, featuring a kid with a syringe. This powerful piece draws attention to social issues and showcases the unique and controversial style of the world-famous street artist.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
St Mary's Church
Explore the historical St Mary's Church, where Christians have worshiped for over 1,000 years. Completed in 1716, it replaced the 12th-century building and holds deep maritime connections to the Mayflower and Prince Lee Boo of Pelau. The church houses a memorial marking the resting place of Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower, which took the Pilgrim Fathers to North America in 1620.Don't miss the statue of Christopher Jones, whose grave is lost within the church grounds. This captivating sculpture depicts St Christopher, patron saint of travelers, holding the baby Jesus. Representing the Old World, Christopher looks back while the baby looks forward to the New. The statue was unveiled in 1995 to mark the 375th anniversary of the voyage.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
The Mayflower Pub
The Mayflower Pub, originally the Shippe Pub (1550) and later the Spread Eagle & Crown, was renamed in 1957. Here, the Pilgrim Fathers set sail aboard the Mayflower Ship, captained by Jones who moored to avoid taxes. In 1620, the ship left with 65 passengers to meet the Speedwell, which ultimately leaked, leaving the Mayflower to sail alone. They wrote and signed "The Mayflower Compact" on board. Today, enjoy a pint and buy US & UK postage stamps at this historic pub, where Mayflower descendants can request a special book.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
The Brunel Museum at Rotherhithe
The Brunel Museum is dedicated to the Victorian engineering superstar, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, known for his bridges, ships, and tunnels. The Rotherhithe Tunnel, an early underwater tunnel, was a significant engineering achievement. In 1827, the tunnel's ceiling collapsed, and Brunel narrowly escaped. A solution to London's congestion, it was built because bridges couldn't accommodate the traffic. Brunel used a diving-bell to examine the riverbed, inspiring onlookers. His pioneering technology, including the first soft-ground tunneling shield, is still used today.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
The Kernel Brewery
The Kernel Brewery, founded in 2009, specializes in locally brewed craft beers like IPAs, stouts, and ales.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Maltby Street Market
Maltby Street Market, a popular foodie destination, emerged from humble beginnings in 2010. Lassco, an architectural salvage company, operates within the market. The Rope Walk, dating back to the 19th century, was once a sweatshop for rope production, with workers known as "Rope-walkers.”
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Trinity Church Square
Trinity Church Square, built between 1824-1832, is one of South London's most beautiful squares and part of the Newington Estate, founded by the General Lighthouse Authority charity for seamen and their families. Holy Trinity Church, opened in 1824 and designed by Francis Bedford, was built on a site where cloth merchants dried their samples. Damaged in WWII and closed in 1961, it reopened as Henry Wood Hall in 1973, serving as a rehearsal and recording hall for orchestras like the London Philharmonic. Shakespeare frequently referenced music in his works, using lyrics, symbolism, and metaphors.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- The content of this tour includes references to history and stories that some might find disturbing.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum alcohol drinking age is 18 years
- Riders must be aged 16 years and over
Frequently Asked Questions
(7)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Sin & Salvation: River Thames Bike Tour?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-7168P12
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Private Sin & Salvation: River Thames Bike Tour?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Alcoholic beverages. Pint of house ale (or soft drink alternative).
- Rain poncho (if required).
- Helmet (optional).
- Tweed cap (optional).
- Hand built British bicycle.
- Local guide.
Q:
What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
The minimum age to participate is 13. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Private Sin & Salvation: River Thames Bike Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- The content of this tour includes references to history and stories that some might find disturbing.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Sin & Salvation: River Thames Bike Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Alcoholic beveragesPint of house ale (or soft drink alternative)
- Rain poncho (if required)
- Helmet (optional)
- Tweed cap (optional)
- Hand built British bicycle
- Local guide
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- The content of this tour includes references to history and stories that some might find disturbing.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum alcohol drinking age is 18 years
- Riders must be aged 16 years and over
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