The Thames is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest river in the United Kingdom.It rises at Thames Head in Gloucestershire,and flows into the North Sea at the Thames Estuary.It has a special significance in flowing through London,the capital of the United Kingdom,although London only includes a short part of its course.The river is tidal in London with a rise and fall of 7 metres (23 ft); tides reaching up to Teddington Lock.The catchment area covers a large part of South Eastern and Western England and the river is fed by over 20 tributaries.The river contains over 80 islands,and having both seawater and freshwater stretches,it supports a variety of wildlife.
The river has supported human activity from its source to its mouth for thousands of years providing habitation,water power,food and drink.It has also acted as a major highway through the Port of London for international trade,internally along its length and by its connection to the British canal system.The river’s strategic position has seen it at the centre of many events and fashions in British history,earning it a description by John Burns as “Liquid History”.It has been a physical and political boundary over the centuries and generated a range of river crossings.More recently,the river has become a major leisure area supporting tourism and pleasure outings as well as the sports of rowing,sailing,skiffing,kayaking,and punting.The river has had a special appeal to writers,artists,musicians and film-makers and is well-represented in the arts.It is still the subject of various debates about its course,nomenclature and history.
The River Thames is famous throughout the world for its history,its culture and its amazing variety of wildlife,archaeology and scenery.If you ask a Londoner what is the City's greatest asset or the thousands of boaters in cruisers up and down the length of the river,they will come up with a myriad of reasons why a day on or near the Thames is a great experience.