or Charlies’s birthday, we were invited by GoBoat London to hire a boat on the river Thames in Kingston and go on our own adventure. We have been lucky enough to try this unique experience with them before. When we took a trip along the canals in Paddington during Spring 2019. Along London’s canal to London Zoo and Little Venice. GoBoat currently has three locations in London and I was interested to see how the two experiences compared. Charlie loved th idea of being his own captain on his Birthday.
AD Gifted – We were given a three-hour boat hire for the purpose of this blog post – Review Goboat Kingston boating experience
Who is GoBoat London?
If you have not heard of GoBoat before then they operate eco-friendly picnic boats that you can captain yourself without the need for any previous experience. With hires of 1, 2, or 3 hours the electric boats make the perfect activity to enjoy with kids. Not only do they offer sustainable boat rental but they also feature a soundless boat engine. Meaning you can spend quality time together in a calm atmosphere. We drove to Kingston Upon Thames which is only a short car ride from where we live. The Go Boat Kingston mooring is on Riverside Walk just in front of Bishop Palace House by Kingston Bridge. There are several car parks nearby, although you do need to be careful of on-road parking as many locations are limited to 2 hours. We opted for the NCP which is a short walk of around 10 minutes.
On Riverside Walk, there are a couple of cafes and bars close by which are the nearest toilets. In the current environment, many of these places are closed. So we took a travel potty on the boat with us for the youngest member of the family. For emergencies. You need to arrive fifteen minutes before your departure time to get signed in. During the sign-in process, I was given some life jackets for the boys and asked to confirm that we do not have any COVID-like symptoms. Before being allowed on the boat by the super friendly crew. As we were doing this the boat we were going to skipper was brought to the dock and thoroughly cleaned.
No previous experience is necessary
Once on our own electric picnic boat, we had a safety briefing, we were shown how to operate it, what to do if we got into trouble and where the additional equipment is stored. Each boat has extra life vests and buoyancy aids including a ring stored in the back of the boat. Our instructor also explained what to do if we got any weed stuck in the motor. Children under 18 are not allowed to steer the boat. Although both boys say with hubby at various points in the ride and pretended. Harry especially enjoyed this.
The Thames river is very wide and a completely different experience from our Paddington trip around little Venice. You need to keep an eye out for people fishing, and swimming because it is so hot at the moment, paddleboarders and other boats. But there is so much room it is easy to do and you can take the sailing experience at your own pace. Plus most boats should be following the rules of the river and keeping to the right. We had a three-hour slot between 1 pm and 4 pm.
Our ride up the Thames with GoBoat London
You are also given a map of the river on a clipboard. It acts as a route map and gives you a rough indication of how long it takes to get back to base camp. In one direction you can go to and past Hampton Court Palace which is about an hour each way, and on the other up towards Teddington Lock which is about half an hour each way. Since we had the boat for three hours we opted to do both trips. Going in the direction of the Palace first. Watching the palace coming into sight was probably my favourite part of the trip.
There are a couple of Islands in the river that are fun to navigate around including Thames Ditton Island. Plus we loved seeing all the riverside properties and dreaming about owning one of the beautiful houses for ourselves. There were also a lot of swans, Canadian geese, and ducks always grateful for a little tip bit from the boy’s own picnic. Making it the perfect location to hire a boat on the Thames. The boys enjoyed going under the bridges. It was extremely hot when we visited so we did stop underneath them for a little while to get some much-needed shade.
Goboat Kingston – Boat Facilities
The boats do not have canopies which would be my only suggestion. Although it was cooler on the river we did really need the cover on the day we visited. So if it is hot I would recommend taking an umbrella with you. Likewise, if you visit later in th year then you may want to consider some cosy blankets. Either way, it is fabulous being out in the fresh air.
In the middle of the GoBoat, there is a large picnic table which we filled with good food. Understandably they do limit the amount of alcohol you can take onto the boat with the captain not drinking anything. But that is the only limit and you can still have a glass of prosecco. We had quite a feast laid out on the central table. Enjoying taking our time on our boat trip sailing down river. It s very peaceful because of the silent electric motor.
Our Conclusion – Review GoBoat Kingston
We all had a great time on the river with GoBoat on our electric boat cruising at a casual 4mph. And would highly recommend a visit as its something our whole family enjoyed. It is such a fun experience and reminded us that we should look into a trip on the Norfolk Broads for when Harry is older. Since we found the experience very relaxing. GoBoats operate throughout the week with peak times at the weekend. Prices are per boat which will take up to eight people and start at £79 for an hour going up to £139 for three hours. There are several different London locations including Paddington, Canary Wharf and the Kingston location this post is about. To find out more and book online visit goboat.co.uk
Have you been to a Goboat Location or hired a boat on the river Thames? I would love to hear about your experience please let me know in the comments below.
READ MORE – Goboat Paddington
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38 Responses
Looks like you had a good time something I’d like to do for a change I never thought of it and the Leeds to Liverpool canal.is quite close to where I live. You have some lovely photos as always.
That looks like quite the view. The swans and ducks were the icing on the cake.
This looks like great fun. Perfect for when the weather is nice. Looks lie you all had a great time.
What a lovely day out, perfect weather for being on the river
I used to run along the riverbank from Hampton cout to Kingston where I worked, some lovely views. Great to see them again from your boat.
This is just down the road from where I live! We have seen loads of people out on these and they all looking like they are having such a lovely time. Such a great way or enjoying the river!
What fun – will definitely keep this in mind next time im in london
Looks like great fun. A few years ago I went on a little boat trip at Windsor, which took us down little ‘streams’ leading off the river, it was an amazing trip
Seems like a very fun experience. Monkey looks so happy.
Love the river , my dad lives in Walton on Thames right by the river I grew up their until I was 12 , he still lives there so we stay for a week in the summer my kids love it
I love being on the water in any capacity, it looks like you all had an absolutely amazing time!
My kids would really enjoy that. Thanks for sharing!
It loooks really relaxing floating along and watching the rest of the world keeping busy!
What a fun day! And I would love to rent a boat. We owned one and it was waaaay too much work. Plus, I want a chocolate cupcake!!
Being on any boats on a nice day sure is just the best. I love how much fun the littles are having.
This is so neat! My hubby and daughter would love this. Beautiful views.
Love this and looks like a super fun filled day that you will remember forever! I am loving all of the wonderful pictures and for sure would love to get across the end to visit and experience for myself 🙂
What I wouldn’t give to do that right now. It looks so relaxing
You had me when I saw the Pimms Can. This looks like a lovely activity on the rare sunny day in London.
What I wouldn’t give to be able to go on a boat right now. We can’t wait for things to be safe enough here.
I’ve never heard of a picnic boat before! This looks idyllic and something I must do with my boys.
Looks like a good day out. I wish I could go on a boat ride right now.
I’m sure Monkey had a wonderful time on his birthday. Having a boat trip is something different and I’m sure my son would love to do it. He’s never been on a boat!
GoBoat Kingston looks like a lot of fun. It’s also a fun day out for the whole family too.
Looks like so much fun! I have some experience with boats (I have license for almost three years now). Great activity for kid too
A beautiful ride to take with the family on a sunny afternoon! I’d love to go on one!
What a great adventure, I love this idea for a day out.
How fun! I love the pics!
Reading this I almost felt as if I was in that amazing GoBoat with you! Getting to feed the ducks while you lunch and sail upon the Thames? Yes please, sign me up lol.
Looks like it’s a lot of fun. I hope we get to try this soon.
This looks like it is so fun for the whole family!
This looks like so much fun! Great photos. What a lovely way to spend 3 hours.
Such an awesome activity to do, very exciting! And I’m glad it looks like you all enjoyed !
This place looks really beautiful and it seems like you had a nice time! Glad you shared this with us, thank you!
it really sounds amazing..and seems like you really had such a great time there..Thanks for sharing your review with us..found really interesting and much awesome…
This looks like a great way to spend a few hours.
Some beautiful boats, Monkey looks like her had fun
I haven’t heard of GoBoat before but it sounds like you had a great time on the boat in Kingston, I may have to try this once the weather improves 🙂