A NEW attraction will soon be returning to London – with guests able to explore both the land and water in one trip.
Duck Tours is set to relaunch on the River Thames in London, eight years after it was scrapped.
The attraction, run by London Amphibious Tours Limited (LAT), will take off from Lack’s Dock slipway next to the MI6 building.
Duck Tours in other destinations usually involve some time on the road driving past historic and interesting sights, before heading onto the water for a river cruise, seeing more sights.
The new tours will be in partnership with Big Bus Tours and will feature new all-electric vehicles, which will be able to reach up to eight knots on the water and 30mph on land.
Each vehicle is expected to seat up to 36 people.
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The vehicles have been created by LAT’s sister company, Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles, after 10 years of research and development.
The company already has tours in Windsor, Liverpool and Cape Town.
Tours previously operated in London until 2017 when the company lost access to the Albert Embankment slipway.
Many fans of the tours have already taken to social media to express their excitement for the return of tours to the Big Smoke.
One person commented: “Fantastic news.”
Another added: “I look forward to taking a trip on one when they’re back.”
A date for the official return of the amphibious tours is yet to be announced.
Graham Lumley, executive chair of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are immensely proud to have secured a long-term lease at this prestigious site, for which we thank the Duchy of Cornwall.
“We have been passionate about expanding the duck tour concept for many years, and today’s announcement underscores Seahorse’s continued evolution as a global leader.”
Ed Lumley, managing director of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Big Bus Tours, the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing experiences.
“There is no partner better suited to work with us on this exciting opportunity, and we look forward to collaborating with Pat Waterman and the Big Bus team.”
Pat Waterman, executive chair of Big Bus Tours, added: “These tours will become an iconic part of the London tourism scene, adding new layers of opportunity to our hop-on hop-off operations.
“We look forward to our recently announced Big Duck Tours brand becoming synonymous with ‘must do’ tourism activities in London.”
According to the company’s website, they are also soon launching tours in Singapore.
What are Duck Tours like?
STANDING before me was the giant car-boat hybrid, looking as if it was from the future.
I was heading on a Duck Tour in Windsor – a tour that starts on the road before heading onto the water.
Once onboard the vehicle, it was hard to imagine how it could enter the water as it whizzed past Windsor Castle surrounded by cars.
After a few twists and turns down lanes, our entryway onto the Thames emerged.
And the vehicle slowly rolled down a slope and into the water.
What I thought might be a bit of a bumpy ride was actually smoother than a plane landing.
Then there is was…
The impressive Windsor Castle from a completely new angle – it felt so close I could almost touch it.
Our guide shared with us key information about the historic site, and of course the role of the River Thames that runs next to it.
The whole experience felt more like an adventure than a tour, and was a great way to see sights from a different perspective.
Tickets cost from £30 per adult and £20 per child.
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