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Thames Sailing Barge Will

  • Up to 50 guests
  • Fine dining
  • Opens Tower Bridge
  • Log Burning Stove

How much is it to charter

SB ‘Will’?

Sailing Barge Will is available for charter at £2950, however at certain times we may be able to reduce that price.

Contact us now for the best price for your date.

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A very special London charter boat experience

Would you like an astonishing river spectacle? Why not open Tower Bridge with our beautiful and charismatic historic Sailing Barge Will? She will charm and impress your guests with her luxurious mahogany-panelled saloon for entertaining groups up to 50.

Cruising east from Tower Pier, Sailing Barge Will is the perfect, small venue for corporate entertaining, team building, and intimate parties. Onboard facilities include PA system, multimedia projector and screen, and sound system with MP3 connection. She’s got a few other tricks too. Her Clay Shooting Cruises are always popular, and now Casino Night Cruises keep her busy in for night-time party people.

Currently based in South Quay, Canary Wharf, we also offer a perfect location for static events within the West India Dock with stunning views across the water at extraordinary architecture and glass towers of the Canary Wharf Estate.

Opening Tower Bridge on your charter

There are not many private hire boats in London that can create this very special experience. SB Will’s masts are 30 metres high so whenever she needs to pass Tower Bridge either picking up or dropping off her lucky guests, she sets into motion a wonderful chain of events. On approaching the iconic London landmark, guests on deck will first hear the distant warning sirens as the road barriers descend and the crossing traffic is brought to a standstill. Then slowly but surely, as you gently cruise closer, you will see the huge bascules of the bridge start to rise and separate. Tourists and Londoners in the vicinity stop and stare at this rare sight as you Will and your guests take centre stage. With perfect timing, the bridge’s bascules are raised high as you cruise majestically through, entering (or leaving if the start of your cruise) the ‘Pool of London’, the historic area of the Thames between Tower and London Bridge. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, once enjoyed, never forgotten. Contact us now to organise this special cruise experience for your party. 

  • Historic Ship

  • Real Fire

  • Opens Tower Bridge

  • Clay Shoot Cruises

  • Up to 50 guests

  • Seated dinners up to 42

“We all enjoyed the trip on Will on the 7th September – it was a great evening, thank you to Mark and all the team on board. Once... Read More

David Farage, BMD Architects

“What a fabulous evening, an experience of a lifetime! I attended a private birthday celebration on the gorgeous Sailing Barge Will last night. My excitement about Tower... Read More

Michelle Stubbs, Private Client

"Thank you for looking after us so well on Friday on board The Will. We all had a fabulous day and, most importantly, The Spectator readers had a great deal of fun. The feedback has been extremely positive. A number of them tottered off to continue the party together, so I think some new friendships were forged over the cruise, clays, cocktails and claret!

Laura Taylor, Private Cellar

“It was an excellent event and from the many positive comments from guests it was a memorable event enjoyed by all. Thank you for the... Read More

Stephen Sandles, Navigant, Corporate Clay Shooting Cruise

“What a fabulous evening, an experience of a lifetime! I attended a private birthday celebration on the gorgeous Sailing Barge Will last week. My excitement... Read More

Marcelle Stubbs, Private Dinner Cruise event

“We used Sailing Barge Will as part of our wedding day. Going through Tower Bridge on the boat was spectacular. The staff went beyond their... Read More

Bryony Mattam, Wedding Reception cruise

“I warmly recommend Thames Leisure – the main thing is that it was a lovely occasion thanks to beautiful barge, delicious meal and super helpful... Read More

Richard Osborne, birthday cruise

“Weather wasn’t great but the rain stayed away despite the chill we still had a great time aboard Will – the 90 year old Sailing... Read More

Robert Stevenson, Birthday Party Cruise

“We took a trip on Sailing Barge Will for our office Christmas party.  30 of us were on board and were treated to a delicious... Read More

Ridgeway Digital, Staff Christmas Party

“Inclarity Communications would like to thank Thames Leisure for providing a superb setting for its Reseller day on Wednesday 18th May. All of our guests... Read More

Jaci Hale, Inclarity Communications client entertaining

“Hi Hazel, I just wanted to pass on a massive thank you for yesterday. The team said it was AMAZING and that the event was... Read More

Mickey Stott, Asante Capital, The Clay Shoot Cruise

'Will' static venue - Canary Wharf

When not delighting guests on the river Thames, Will can be found in her home berth of South Quay, Canary Wharf. Here she makes a wonderful fully equipped meeting and dining venue. Prices on application. Get in touch now for more details.

'Will' opening Tower Bridge

One of the very few charter vessels in London to open the bridge, SB Will is surely the most beautiful. Fins out more about this special service that comes as part of the package for your Thames Sailing Barge charter with us.

BANG! Shoot with 'Will'

Arguably our signature event and a highly unusual fun team-building activity open to everyone. SB Will is the original boat for this great day out. Fully catered and very special - see all the options available.

‘SB Will’ – History for hire

Launched in 1925 and having seen wartime action in WW2 during the period of her trading career, SB Will is a firm fixture as a vessel of national importance on the National Historic Ships Register. Lovingly looked after by Thames Leisure and Captain Mark Tower and earning her keep through corporate and private hire for those lucky enough to charter her services, SB Will is assured of a long future ahead despite her gaining years.

A different kind of boat charter

Hiring SB Will for your private event is more of a ‘personal experience’ than perhaps any of our other vessels. Captain Mark is rightly proud of Will as are all the crew who sail on her. Operating her as a charter vessel comes from a place of romance and nostalgia for her great history and undoubted charms. You’ll find our crew very eager to tell interested guests aboard more about her life and career. Contact us today to find out more about charters on board Will – you won’t be disappointed!

See more on Will‘s Wikipedia page here and get a taste of what it’s like to go through Tower Bridge on a rather windy October day in 2018 (still very special!):