Companies in London looking for the perfect venue for their corporate hospitality event consistently seem to overlook the one genuine asset the city has – the River Thames. The River Thames has something for everyone. If you enjoy peace and natural beauty, then the gentle and remote stretches of the Upper Thames from its source through Lechlade to Eynsford delights with tranquillity and beauty before it flows into Oxford. From Oxford downstream the Thames meanders its way through beautiful countryside passing great castles and royal palaces at Windsor and Hampton Court. Downstream of Teddington (which literally means Tide-end-town) the River Thames changes its rhythm and although still 60 miles from Southend and the North Sea, the Thames becomes tidal.

In Central London every stretch of the river has a tale to tell with iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and London Bridge. Past the Tower of London and Tower Bridge the river widens as it sweeps down to Greenwich steeped in maritime history and past O2 Dome before finally reaching the Thames Barrier and the open the sea. This historic highway offers hundreds of venues for the perfect corporate hospitality event in London.

Whether an intimate gathering aboard a Thames sailing barge with Tower Bridge opening for you, a staff get-together on an elegant river cruiser, or a gala dinner aboard a large paddle steamer, the river and its sights is a fantastic venue for floating festivity. For larger conferences and hospitality or launch events that may require more up to date presentation and A-V facilities, the river can still be a part of a unique package by using ExCel, London’s state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centre in Docklands. With the exhibition hall located right on the Royal Victoria Dock, ships and boats can be moored at the quayside for groups of 10 to as many as 200 people. Boats can be chartered to cruise from ExCel up the Thames into central London.

Fancy having a parley with your best shipmates?Want to recreate South Pacific the musical?If you want your birthday party or anniversary do to have that special twist or if you just like fancy dress affairs but don’t want the hassle of organising things yourself, then consider contacting event management companies to arrange a themed extravaganza.

Themed events are becoming increasingly popular for corporate hospitality or motivational exercises as well as private parties.They’re especially useful for team building because “dressing up” tends to break down departmental barriers – it’s easier to build effective team morale if you all look equally silly!Entering into the spirit of the thing can unleash hidden talents!

One such outfit, Topsail, offers a fully themed swashbuckling Pirate Party aboard the magnificent Sailing Barge Will or any of their other vessels for a fully maritime experience.For landlubbers who like the idea of a boat, but not the fact that it’s moving, static pirate parties can also be arranged on a Tudor galleon moored at St Mary Overie Docks in London.Whatever your chosen boat, it will be decked out with tropical palm trees, flags, barrels, skeletons, parrots and a hanging pirate! Fantastic food options include a delicious buffet or a seated banquet, to be washed down with rum punch, mulled wine or beer. There’s even a Caribbean menu available to add a touch of genuine colour to the proceedings.Entertainment is also on tap with sea shanty bands, stilt walkers or the intriguing parrot vodka luge.

If you like the idea of pirates, but not the idea of anything on the water, then a land-based Pirate Murder Mystery might be the thing for you.Pieces of Eyot is Topsail’s Comedy Murder Mystery that entertains and provides dinner too. The idea is to solve a murder mystery and, at the same time, discover where four hundred year old treasure lies buried.
Whichever organiser or event you choose, the impact of a themed event can be both immediate and long lasting.  Breaking the ice between people encourages communication and more effective cooperation in their business roles as well as just being an enjoyable night out.  Themed events are also a great way to say thank you to your team or inspire them to achieve even more.