Find out about our Information Centre, conference facilities, prices and directions.
Our Information Centre is a small exhibition that shows you how the Thames Barrier was designed, built and works. You can also learn about the history and environment of the River Thames. Enjoy the spectacular views from our cafe, which overlooks the barrier and the River Thames. We also have an outside picnic and children's play area.
Opening times
From April 2011, our Information Centre and cafe will be open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5pm. Last admission to the Information Centre is 4.30pm. We are also open on Bank Holidays.
Admission prices
- Adults – £3.50 (£3 for disabled adults*)
- Seniors (60 and over) – £3.00 (£2 for disabled seniors*)
- Students (16-18 or in full-time education) – £3.00 (£2 for disabled students*)
- Children (under 16) – £2 (£1.50 for disabled children*)
- Under 5s – Free
* Admission for carers accompanying disabled visitors is free of charge.
If you are bringing a group of more than 10 people, please contact us to book your visit and pre-order any food for your group.
Group talks
If your group would like to learn more, then we recommend booking a Group Talk. There are two Group Talk options available:
Basic group talk
With this option your group will receive a tour of the Information Centre with our Information Assistant. The talk covers topics including the history of the river and the risk of flooding in London, as well as describing the environment and wildlife of the Thames. The talk lasts approximately an hour and a half.
The price includes the standard admission fee to the Information centre. Maximum group size is 35. We can only accommodate one group per day.
Basic group talk costs
Adults: £150 per group
Seniors or students: £125 per group
Children (recommended for children aged over 11 only): £100 per group
The basic group talk is available at any time during our standard Information Centre opening hours, Thursday to Sunday 10.30am to 5pm.
Luxury group talk
This is the same as the basic group talk but includes exclusive use of our Information Centre and conference space overlooking the River and the Thames Barrier for lunch and refreshments.
Luxury group talks costs
Adults: £175 per group (£325 for two groups visiting on the same day)
Seniors or students: £150 per group (£275 for two groups visiting on the same day)
Plus one of the following options
- Refreshments only: £2.50 per person (hot drinks and Danish pastries served on arrival)
- Lunch and refreshments: £6.50 per person (a light lunch served with a hot drink)
- Two-course meal and refreshments: £13 per person (a choice of hot drinks on arrival followed by a meal)
If you are bringing one group, the luxury group talk can be booked at 10am or 1.30pm, for two groups on the same day, we recommend visiting from 11am to 2.30pm.
The luxury group talk is only available from Monday to Wednesday when the Information Centre is closed to the public.
Group talks are only available if you book in advance and we will ask you to pre-book any food for your group.
Disabled access
- Our disabled lift is currently out of order. We are working on fixing this problem. There are shallow steps leading to the cafe that most people, including wheelchair users, are able to use.
- Access to the river front is restricted as there are only steep steps leading down from the bank (this is because it is a flood defence levee, and any ramps could compromise the integrity of the defence).
- We have three parking bays in our car park where badge holders can park free of charge. We also have drop-off point for minibuses, etc.
- We have a disabled toilet that requires a radar key (we can provide one if requested).
Directions and parking
Thames Barrier Information Centre, 1 Unity Way, Woolwich, London, SE18 5NJ.
We have a pay-and-display car park on site, which costs £1.50 for the day. The car park is open from 7.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week. Last admission to the car park is 4.30pm.
We have free on-site coach parking.
Boat trips
There is no scheduled boat service that stops at the Thames Barrier pier.
If you would like to visit the Thames Barrier by boat, you will need to book this through Thames River Services, which operates passenger boat services on the River Thames:
Further information
For more information, download our leaflet:
If you would like to book, please call 020 8305 4188 or email us .
