Knotty about boats? You do not want to miss the Classic Boat Festival hitting up London’s St Katharine Docks next month.
The 13th annual Classic Boat Festival is returning to London in September and St Katharine Docks, over in Wapping, will play host to this exciting celebration of nautical beauties.
Expect three days jam-packed full of activities and preserved vintage vessels on display.
Here’s what you need to know.
Vintage Boats, Talks and Salutes
From the 9th – 11th of September, Central London’s only marina will be the host of the Classic Boat Festival.
There’ll be more than 40 preserved vintage boats on display, ranging from the hero ships – the very ones that helped to rescue more than 336,000 trapped soldiers from Dunkirk in 1944 – to the Bates Starcraft.
Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with these beauties, as well as chat with their owners and climb aboard some of the boats. Each day of the festival will be marked in a regal fashion, with an opening and a closing salute of their horns.
Talks will also be held throughout the weekend, with the custodians of HM The Queen’s Row Barge ‘Gloriana’ and yachting celebrity, Tom Cunliffe, bringing insider knowledge to vessel fanatics.
And no London festival would be complete without the addition of street food and entertainment, right? Right. Luckily, St Katharine Docks has got that covered too – set down your anchor in Marble Quay and refuel.
The best part? Entry is totally free – this is one of the best free things to do in the capital in September. Bring the family along for a fun day.
Totally Thames 2022
This festival is THE highlight of Totally Thames 2022, a celebration of London’s waterways and their history.
But that’s not all that’s happening. No no no. From riverside concerts to outdoor movies and late-night cruises down the Thames, this festival is bursting with fun things to do in London for the entire family.
You’ll find us at the talk listening to photographers chatting about the secret islands on the Thames… Yes, really.
Excited? You should be. You can check out the full Totally Thames 2022 line-up here.
St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival: Practical Information
When?
This event is running from Friday 9th September – Sunday 11th September.
Where?
The Classic Boat Festival is being held at St. Katharine Docks. The nearest Tube station is Tower Hill, or you can travel to the Tower Gateway via DLR and from there it’s a ten-minute walk.
Tickets?
There’s no need to book a ticket, entry is free and you can just turn up.
