ENTERTAINMENT & EXTRAS
Guides
Doggett’s Coat and Badge
Add a twist of river style tradition with a Doggett’s Coat & Badge Waterman to ‘Meet and Greet’ your guests. The Doggett's Coat and Badge is the oldest and longest river race in the World, and is undertaken by apprentice Watermen to the River Thames. The race came about after a famous Irish comedian named Thomas Doggett, who at the time was Manager of the Drury Lane Theatre, fell into the Thames whilst crossing the river at Embankment in 1715. Doggett was rescued by a Waterman, and as a mark of gratitude he set up the Doggett's Coat and Badge Race. Each year the Doggett’s put up a 'wager' (an amount of money) to buy a traditional red coat and badge for the winner of the race.
The race begins at London Bridge and finishes at the Albert Bridge in Chelsea, passing under a total of 11 bridges en route. To win the Doggett's was seen by others within the River Thames workforce as a great achievement, and therefore a perceived ranking system so if you won the Doggett's Race you were seen as a better Waterman.
Today, the race is much more about carrying on a tradition, although winning is still seen as very prestigious.
Blue Badge Guide
A great way to inform your guests on the history of the London riverside and famous Landmarks which pass you by whilst cruising the Thames. Our Blue Badge Guides have been selected for their experience, are registered by the UK Tourist Boards and can be sourced with a particular spoken language.
