A Guide to Butler's Wharf: London's Most Atmospheric Pier
Every great river journey needs a great starting point, and few places set the scene quite like Butler's Wharf. Tucked on the south bank of the Thames, a stone's throw from Tower Bridge, this historic quarter is the home of our fleet and the launch point for many of our charters. It is where cobbled warehouse streets meet the open river, and where an evening on the water begins beneath one of the most famous bridges in the world. We have run our fleet on the river since 1993, and in this guide we share what makes Butler's Wharf so special, how to reach it and what to expect when you board.
Where is Butler's Wharf Pier?
Butler's Wharf Pier sits on the south side of the Thames, just along from Tower Bridge in the Shad Thames neighbourhood of Southwark. It is about as central as a London pier gets, close enough to Tower Bridge that the bridge itself becomes the backdrop to your event. The pier is the home of our three vessels and a popular place to start, finish or call in during a charter.
A short history of Butler's Wharf
Butler's Wharf was once home to some of the biggest and busiest warehouses in the world. In the Victorian era, this stretch of the south bank handled goods arriving from across the globe, and the tall brick buildings and narrow lanes of Shad Thames still carry that working-river character. Today the area is Grade II listed and has been carefully restored into a residential and commercial quarter, with riverside restaurants and converted warehouse apartments where cargo once moved. That blend of heritage and everyday life is a large part of its appeal.
Why it is the most atmospheric place to board
A few things set Butler's Wharf apart from other London piers. The first is the setting. Tower Bridge rises directly alongside, so guests arrive to one of the capital's signature views before they have even stepped aboard. The second is the character of the streets behind the pier, where the cobbles and old warehouse frontages of Shad Thames give the whole area a sense of occasion. Add the riverside restaurants and the evening light on the water, and it is easy to see why this corner of the river feels made for an event.
The home of the TLC fleet
All three of our boats are based here at Butler's Wharf: the Dixie Queen, the Elizabethan and the Edwardian. Walking across Tower Bridge, you can usually see them moored below. Because the pier is right beside the bridge, boarding the Dixie Queen here comes with a moment guests always remember, as she is the only vessel in our fleet large enough that Tower Bridge is raised to let her through. From Butler's Wharf, your charter can head west towards Westminster or east towards Greenwich, so the pier works as a starting point for almost any route.
Getting to Butler's Wharf Pier
The pier is easy to reach by public transport, which makes it simple for guests arriving from across London.
|
Arriving from |
Journey to the pier |
|---|---|
|
London Bridge station (Jubilee, Northern, National Rail) |
About a 10-minute walk along the river |
|
Tower Hill Underground |
The nearest tube, a short walk over Tower Bridge |
|
Tower Gateway DLR |
About a 15-minute walk across Tower Bridge |
|
By car or taxi |
Set your destination to our office at Knot House, Brewery Square, SE1 2LF, a minute from the pier. |
Our office is just a minute's walk from the pier, and our team is always happy to send full directions when you book. You can find travel details and a map on our contact page.
What you will see from Butler's Wharf
Because the pier sits at the heart of the river, the sights begin the moment you leave. Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are right there as you set off, and from there your route can take you in the city skyline, Canary Wharf and Greenwich to the east, or the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye to the west. The exact course is planned around your event and the tide on the day.
Planning your event from Butler's Wharf
As the launch point for our fleet, Butler's Wharf is a fitting overture to an evening on the water. Many guests like to gather at one of the area's riverside restaurants before boarding, then carry the celebration onto the river. If your plans centre on dining, Thames boat trips with dinner from here pair the atmosphere of the wharf with a meal cooked fresh on board as London slips by. Whether you are arranging a wedding, a corporate event or a private party, Butler's Wharf gives the day a memorable beginning.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Butler's Wharf Pier?
On the south bank of the River Thames, just along from Tower Bridge in the Shad Thames area of Southwark, central London.
How do I get to Butler's Wharf Pier?
It is about a 10-minute riverside walk from London Bridge station, served by the Jubilee and Northern lines and National Rail. Tower Hill is the nearest Underground station, and it is roughly a 15-minute walk across Tower Bridge from Tower Gateway DLR.
Which boats depart from Butler's Wharf Pier?
All three of our vessels, the Dixie Queen, the Elizabethan and the Edwardian, are based at Butler's Wharf Pier, though charters can be arranged to depart from other piers too.
Is Butler's Wharf Pier near Tower Bridge?
Yes. It sits on the south side of the river, a stone's throw from Tower Bridge, which forms the backdrop to events boarding here.
Can you see Tower Bridge lift from the pier?
When the Dixie Queen sets out, Tower Bridge is raised to let her pass, so guests boarding her here can watch the bridge lift. The timing is arranged with the bridge in advance.
Plan your charter.
The best way to understand the appeal of Butler's Wharf is to see it for yourself. Arrange a viewing of the fleet at the pier, talk your plans through with our Events Management Team, and we will help you build an event that begins beside Tower Bridge and continues out onto the river.
