I first read about this on one of the mini-billboard things on the metro stations. I was talking a long walk down the quayside when I stopped to ask this couple who were handing out brochures for the trips downriver.

There seemed to be quite a few people who are interested in these trips (myself being among that number, as its a great way to see the city from another angle and get some good shots of the dockyard cranes at North Shields), and I'm no stranger to seeing scores of people with really expensive looking cameras all along the quayside either (brielfy spoke to an australian last sunday).

So what do you guys think about these trips, and has anyone been or going to go on them?

Thanks

I think its a great idea, lots of cities do it, I really enjoyed it in Paris. It will be good for tourism.

Excellent idea. York has a riverside cruise which brings in money all the year round. Newcastle already has sightseeing buses, so i don't see why it shouldn't have a water-based version.

Cardiff has river cruises which also act as water taxis, they always seem to be full when i have noticed them. Im not sure how effective they would be in Newcastle tho as the cardiff ones connect major tourist and development sites. Is there enough people going to Tynemouth, or do the boats stop before that point. What is the urban environment like along most of the Tyne? would you want tourists seeing it?

it is a very good idea, i'm suprised it hasn't been thought beforehand. i've always wanted to do it and i'm sure the many tourists on the quayside would be tempted too.

Cardiff has river cruises which also act as water taxis, they always seem to be full when i have noticed them. Im not sure how effective they would be in Newcastle tho as the cardiff ones connect major tourist and development sites. Is there enough people going to Tynemouth, or do the boats stop before that point. What is the urban environment like along most of the Tyne? would you want tourists seeing it?

To be honest I'm not quite sure exactly what you can see from the river (besides the fronts of hotels & appartments at the city centre and the old dock yards and industrial quays further out). I can imagine these people who I often see taking pictures all the way along the banks of the river would well be interested, and because the Tyne has its own varied bird-life too, bird watchers may find these boats a useful platform! For myself, it must be the big old cranes by the dockside which is an attraction :grin: but I'm sure there are plenty of artists and photographers which would use these trips as inspiration.

As for the tour details, there are two boat trips, one goes out to the "countryside" (not sure where that would be since I figured it had all been built on by now) and the other goes right to Tynemouth pier, circles around and comes back.

This site (http://www.riverescapes.co.uk/) is where you can view all the info. I was hoping to go this sunday on the Quay-to-Sea trip but it looks like I'm cremating....erm barbequing again....ah well maybe next weekend!

Interesting to know other cities do this idea, although I should have thought London would make a fair bit of cash considering what structures line the banks of the Thames.

Thanks for the replies :)