Thames River

Welcome to the River Thames, the 'liquid history' of London. Stretching 215 miles from its source in the Cotswolds to the North Sea, it is the longest river in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. …

The most striking characteristic of the Thames in London is its tidal nature. A large section of the river, from the sea all the way up to Teddington Lock, is influenced by the tides of the North Sea. …

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the River Thames was the busiest port in the entire world. London was the heart of a vast mercantile empire, and the river was the artery that fueled its growth. …

The history of the Thames has a dark, olfactory chapter known as 'The Great Stink' of 1858. For centuries, the river had been used as an open sewer for the city’s rapidly growing population. …

It is difficult for us to imagine today, but there was a time when the River Thames would freeze completely solid in the winter. Between 1608 and 1814, during a period known as the 'Little Ice Age,' Londoners would celebrate the…

The River Thames is not just a commercial or environmental feature; it is a major center for leisure and sport. Rowing is perhaps the most iconic sport associated with the river, with over 200 rowing clubs located along its banks. …

In the twenty-first century, the Thames has seen a resurgence as a vital transport corridor. While the 'wherries' and 'barges' of the past are gone, they have been replaced by a sophisticated fleet of high-speed river clippers…

As we conclude our exploration of the River Thames, we are left with the realization that this water is the true architect of London. It is the reason the city exists, the reason it grew wealthy, and the reason it remains a…