Guide Note: The Thames river runs through much of Southern England, including the capital city of London. It is the longest river to run entirely through England.

Fast Facts:

Estimated 58 million years old
Length: 215 miles
Source: Kemble in Gloucestershire
Contains over 80 islands
Many famous bridges cross the river

Historical Significance

Archaeologists suggest that people have lived along the river since at least 3300-2700 BC. Julius Caesar mentions it numerous times in his account of his second expedition to Britain in 54BC. The Romans built fortifications along the river during their occupation of Britain and the first "London Bridge" was built over the Thames by Romans in 50 AD

The Tower of London, one of the most famous of all British landmarks, was built on the North side of the river by William the Conquerer in 1078. Later, the Magna Carta was signed on one of the Thames' islands, Runnymede.

As the city of London continued to grow, the Thames became one of the world's busiest and most traveled waterways. Pollution in the river has been a problem for centuries; the so-called "Great Stink" of 1858 forced much of the area around the river, including the House of Commons, to be abandoned until suitable sewage systems could be developed.

The Name "Thames"

The name probably derives from the Celtic word "Tamesas," meaning "dark," though there are numerous other theories.

Categories

Geography | Travel | Rivers | European Destinations | Outdoor Travel

View Note History

River Thames

Also try: North Sea

The Mahalo Top 7

The River Thames Guide: About the River Thames
Wikipedia,: River Thames
King's College London: Habitat Restoration on the River Thames
ThamesWeb: Historical Thames
Canal Junction: River Thames
Floating Down the River: The River Thames and Boaty Things
Video: The River Thames - May 2007 (Time 07:08)

River Thames News

Google News: River Thames
Surrey Advertiser: Flooding Threat Recedes Across the County (January 1, 2008)
This Is Wiltshire: Village Has Become An Island (January 17, 2008)
BBC News: Whale Spotted in Central London (January 20, 2006)
National Geographic News: River Thames Mudlarks Dig Up Medieval Toys (May 3, 2004)

River Thames History and Background

Story of London: The Thames Valley
The Jane Austen Society of Australia: The Thames

Early History

The Royal Windsor Web Site: The Victorian Floods in Windsor
ThamesPilot: Themes
Floating Down the River: River Thames Timeline

Modern History

Floating Down the River: The River Thames - Its Bridges
The River Thames Guide: The 20th Century and Massive Changes
Wikipedia: Thames Barrier | List of crossings of the River Thames | Islands in the River Thames

River Thames Educational Resources

British Life and Culture: River Thames for Kids
Thames Explorer Trust: Education: Resources for Schools
Wikipedia: River Thames Frost Fairs
The River Thames Society: Education
The River Thames Guide: The Thames Boat Project

River Thames Travel

River Thames: The Official Guide to the River Thames

River Thames Transportation

The River Thames Guide: Boat Hire, Cruises and Watersports
BAA Heathrow: Welcome to Heathrow Airport
Transport for London: Buses | London River Services
LondonTaxiCabs.net: London Taxi Cabs

River Thames Travel Packages

London Millennium Tours: London Yours & River Trips
InfoHub: The Royal River Thames aboard ACTIEF
Visit London: London Tours
Discount London: River Thames Sightseeing Cruises
The River Thames Guide: Thames Accommodations: Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts

River Thames Activities

The River Thames Guide: Things to Do: Thames Boat Trips, Museums
River Thames: Sailing on the River Thames
Wikipedia: Sailing on the River Thames

River Thames Photos and Videos

Google Image Search: River Thames
Yahoo! Image Search: River Thames
Live Search Images: River Thames
YouTube & Google Video Search: River Thames
Yahoo: Video Search: River Thames

River Thames Blogs and Forums

Google Blog Search: River Thames
Surf Talk: River Thames - fishing? Forum Posts
Panta Rhei: Dear River Thames
TravelPod: On the Thames
El Director!: Crossing the River Thames

River Thames Organizations and Societies

River Thames Fun Stuff

New Millennium: Swan Upping
River Thames: Family Fun on the River Thames
South East England: River Thames for Children
Chertsey Meads Marine: Dayboats - Daily or Hourly Hire

River Thames Books and Merchandise

eBay: River Thames Merchandise
Yahoo! Shopping Search: River Thames Merchandise
Google Product Search: River Thames Merchandise
Amazon.com: River Thames Books
Barnes & Noble.com: River Thames

Related Searches

London | England | United Kingdom | Gloucestershire | Oxfordshire | Berkshire | Buckinghamshire | Surrey | Essex | Kent | Oxford | Reading | Windsor | Tower of London | North Sea | Houses of Parliament

This page was created by Betsy, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by Cherryl.
If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!