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The River Thames

Updated on August 22, 2014

The River Thames, The Lifeblood of London

The River Thames winds its way through the City of London like a huge aeorta, carrying and distributing the lifeblood of the city. It is the reason why London is located where it is and it has nurtured and supported the city through its millennia of growth. The Thames is not long by the standards of many rivers, yet it surely rates as one of the best known in all the world. This site is devoted to looking at what The Kinks called that, "Dirty old river..."

Dirty Old River, Must You Keep Rolling... - "Waterloo Sunset," by The Kinks

Every time that I see the River Thames, and particularly when I am stood on its banks, I find this song starts playing in my head. It never fails! Fortunately, it is a song which I am very fond of...

Click on the arrow in the centre of the screen to play the video.

Tower Bridge, London
Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge

Probably the most famous of all the River Thames' bridges

Tower Bridge is the name given to the bridge which spans the River Thames adjacent to the Tower of London. It is probably the best known of all the bridges over the River Thames and its image is famous the world over. Tower Bridge is often mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, its upstream neighbour. There is a famous story that when the old London Bridge was sold for shipment to the United States, the buyer believed he was actually buying Tower Bridge! This story, however, has since been strenuously refuted by all the principals involved.

A Look at How The Thames Shaped London's Destiny - A tale of a river and its city

The Thames has been used for transport to and from London for countless centuries and still plays a big part in this aspect of London life today. This wonderful book traces this particular role of the Thames back through history and looks in great detail at how the river made London what it is today.

Take a Tour Down the River Thames - Click once on the arrow in the centre of the screen to play the video

Westminster Bridge, London
Westminster Bridge, London

Westminster Bridge

Crossing the Thames in the Power Heart of London

Westminster Bridge is the bridge which spans the River Thames at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It affords excellent photographic opportunities for the Centre of British Government and coming from the South Bank leads straight in to the Heart of London. Westminster Abbey is also less than five minutes' walk from the end of the bridge.

The Houses of Parliament, London
The Houses of Parliament, London

The Houses of Parliament

The seat of British Government

The twin Houses of the UK Parliament building are the House of Lords (Upper House) and the House of Commons (Lower House). They are located on the North Bank of the River Thames, immediately adjacent to Westminster bridge. Adjoined to the parliament building is the clock tower which is home to Big Ben, the bell which many people think is actually the name of the tower building.

How to Get Around in London

There are two major issues involved in navigating our way around any major city, never mind one the size of London. They are first of all, finding where it is that we want to go to, and secondly, determining how we are going to get there. That is where this handy little guide is so invaluable as it combines a map of the city with a map of the London Underground. This is a "must have" for anyone intending travelling around London, be they Londoner or visitor...and look how cheap it cusrrently is!

The River Thames at Windsor
The River Thames at Windsor

The River Thames at Windsor, Berkshire

A look at the rural side of the Thames

There is of course a lot more to the River Thames than that stretch of it which passes through Central London. Further upstream, there are some beautiful, quieter stretches of the river and one such place is in the town of Windsor, in Berkshire. At Windsor - which is probably best known for being the site of HM The Queen's principal home, Windsor Castle - the River Thames is not quite in its infancy but it definitely appears as a very different river to the one which passes through London. Its green and leafy banks are home to restaurants and cafes, as well as hosting mooring spots for privately owned small river craft. Boat trips are available on a much smaller scale than those offered further down river in London and afford the passenger a glimpse of rural Berkshire at its very best.

Taking A Walk Along The Thames? - Why not stop in a traditional English Pub for lunch?

This book is an incredible, cultural guide to the small inns and pubs which populate the banks of the River Thames. It is a guide to where to stop for a pint of ale and to where to stop for a traditional English lunch. If you walk the Thames, this is the latest book for you.

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