HOW TO EXPLORE TO RIVER THAMES

The River Thames is London’s river—a historic waterway that shaped the city’s rise, connects its major landmarks, and continues to serve as a cultural and geographic backbone of southern England. The Thames is not just a river—it is the timeline of London itself, carrying stories of conquest, trade, ceremony, crisis, and renewal. From Roman Londinium to the modern skyline of Canary Wharf and Greenwich, the river has shaped every era of the city’s life. Exploring the River Thames works best when you combine river cruises, riverside walks, historic towns, and major London landmarks into one layered journey. 

The Thames offers everything from serene countryside stretches to iconic urban vistas, plus new public spaces like the Bazalgette Embankment that make the river more accessible than ever. This is the best way you can explore the River Thames.

History of the Thames

The River Thames has a history stretching from prehistoric settlements to Roman conquest, medieval trade, Tudor pageantry, industrial expansion, and modern ecological revival. It has been the stage on which London itself was born and transformed.

                             

Pre‑Roman & Early Settlements

Human activity along the Thames dates back thousands of years, with evidence of prehistoric settlements using the river for food, transport, and ritual.

Its name likely comes from the Proto‑Celtic Tamesa, meaning “dark river.”

Roman Thames (43 AD onward)

The Romans invaded Britain in AD 43, advancing along the Thames.

They established Londinium near the first fordable point of the river.

The first bridge across the Thames—made entirely of wood—was built slightly downstream of today’s London Bridge.

The river became a major artery for transporting goods across the empire.

                             

Anglo‑Saxon & Viking Era

After the Roman withdrawal, London’s bridge deteriorated and the city suffered repeated Viking raids.

In 886, Alfred the Great expelled the invaders, repaired the bridge, and revived London as a thriving trading hub.

Medieval Thames (11th–15th centuries)

The Thames became the commercial heart of medieval London, lined with wharves, markets, and guild halls.

It hosted extraordinary events, including Thames frost fairs during severe winters and even a 13th‑century king keeping a polar bear in the river—one of many unusual episodes documented in the National Archives’ 700‑year survey.

Tudor & Stuart Thames (16th–17th centuries)

The river was central to royal ceremony and transport—barges, pageants, and processions were common.

London’s population boomed, and the Thames became crowded with ferries, traders, and ships.

The Great Fire of London (1666) reshaped the riverside, leading to new embankments and rebuilding.

Industrial & Imperial Thames (18th–20th centuries)

The Thames became one of the busiest waterways in the world.

The Port of London served as a gateway to the British Empire until the mid‑20th century.

Massive engineering works—like Joseph Bazalgette’s sewers—reshaped the riverbanks and improved sanitation.

Pollution peaked in the 19th century, culminating in the “Great Stink” of 1858.

Modern Thames (20th century–today)

After decades of decline, the river underwent major ecological recovery.

Today it supports diverse wildlife, new public spaces, and remains a cultural and ceremonial spine of London.

The Thames continues to evolve with new embankments, flood defenses, and revitalized waterfront districts.

The River Thames

The River Thames is the longest river entirely in England, flowing about 210–215 miles from the Cotswolds to the North Sea and running directly through London, Oxford, Windsor, and many other historic towns. It has shaped London’s geography, economy, and identity for over 2,000 years, serving as a major route for trade, settlement, and culture.

What the River Thames Is

- A major English river stretching roughly 210–215 miles across southern England.

- Source: Near Thames Head in Gloucestershire.

- Mouth: The North Sea, via the Thames Estuary.

- Cities/Towns it passes: Oxford, Reading, Henley‑on‑Thames, Windsor, Kingston, London, Greenwich, and more.

- Alternate historic names: Tamesa, Tamesis, and in Oxford, the upper stretch is sometimes called the River Isis.

Why the Thames Matters

- London’s birthplace: Settlements grew along the Thames from Roman times onward.

- Trade & commerce: For centuries it was one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

- Cultural identity: The river defines many of London’s most iconic views—Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye.

- Historic bridges: London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Westminster Bridge, and many others span it.

Core Ways to Explore the River Thames

Exploring the River Thames works best when you combine river cruises, riverside walks, historic towns, and major London landmarks into one layered journey. The Thames offers everything from serene countryside stretches to iconic urban vistas, plus new public spaces like the Bazalgette Embankment that make the river more accessible than ever.

Core Ways to Explore the River Thames

Take a Thames River Cruise; Cruises reveal London’s skyline and hidden riverside gems, from Westminster to Greenwich. Many travelers describe Thames cruises as a “must‑do” for discovering parts of London they’d never seen before. Options range from leisurely sightseeing boats to high‑speed RIB rides.

                                

Popular routes include: Westminster → Tower Bridge → Greenwich. Another polular route is Richmond → Kingston → Hampton Court Palace.

Walk or Cycle the Thames Path

The Thames Path follows the river for miles, from rural Gloucestershire through Oxfordshire and Berkshire to central London.

Ideal for exploring Riverside parks, Historic bridges, and Quiet villages like Henley‑on‑Thames and Marlow, plus Urban stretches with major landmarks.

Explore Riverside Towns & Cities

The river passes through a chain of vibrant towns with deep history and great food culture.

Highlights include 

Windsor – home to Windsor Castle

Henley‑on‑Thames – rowing heritage

Reading – Abbey Quarter and riverfront walks

Oxford – the upper Thames (River Isis) and historic colleges                  

Visit Iconic Landmarks Along the Thames

The river connects many of London’s most famous sites:

Hampton Court Palace

London Eye (especially stunning at sunset)

Tower of London & Tower Bridge

Thames Barrier

Join River‑Themed Events

September’s Totally Thames Festival celebrates art, music, and river culture.

Other major events include:

The Boat Race

London Marathon

New Year’s Eve fireworks

Discover Nature & Conservation Areas

Once considered “biologically dead,” the Thames has seen a major ecological revival thanks to habitat restoration projects.

New sloped terraces, textured walls, and naturalized edges now support fish and wildlife along the estuary.

Great for nature walks, photography, and spotting returning species.

Explore New Public Spaces

The Bazalgette Embankment near Blackfriars Bridge is a newly opened riverside space with trees, sculptures, and accessible viewing platforms—perfect for relaxing and taking in the river.

Suggested Thematic Routes

Historic London Route (Half Day)

- Westminster → London Eye → Tower of London → Tower Bridge → Greenwich

- Combine walking with a river cruise for the full effect.

Royal & Riverside Route

- Richmond → Kingston → Hampton Court Palace

- Ideal for a slower, scenic day.

Countryside Thames

- Oxford → Abingdon → Wallingford

- Peaceful villages, meadows, and classic English scenery.

One Day River Thames Itenary

“From Royal River to Maritime Gateway to the Edge of Time.”

Start at Westminster & Whitehall — The River of Power

Stand on Westminster Bridge for the classic Parliament + London Eye view. Walk the Embankment to see how Bazalgette reshaped London’s riverfront.

This is the Thames as the stage of the British state — monarchy, parliament, and the Victorian engineering that saved the city.

Thames Clipper: Westminster → Tower → Greenwich

Glide past 2,000 years of history in 60 minutes — bridges, wharves, the City skyline, St Paul’s glimpses, and the approach to Tower Bridge. Tip: Sit on the right side for the best sequence of views.

Hop off at Tower of London & Tower Bridge — Power, Trade, Empire

Explore Tower of London exterior walk (no need to go inside unless you want to). Tower Bridge’s bascules and Victorian machinery.

This is the Thames as fortress and frontier, where London defended itself and projected power outward.

Wapping & the Docks — The Working River

Walk from Tower Bridge → Wapping High Street; Narrow lanes, Old pubs like The Prospect of Whitby and Former warehouses turned apartments.

Here the Thames becomes industrial and gritty, the river of sailors, spice ships, and global commerce.

Take the DLR from Wapping/Shadwell → Canary Wharf

In Canary Wharf, Take in the Canary Wharf Skyline, Walk the docks, and Look back west for a stunning skyline corridor. Grab lunch in the underground malls or by the water

This is the Thames as post‑industrial phoenix, where derelict docks became a vertical city.

Take the Thames Clipper from Canary Wharf to Greenwich

Greenwich — Maritime Power & the Edge of Time:

Cutty Sark (tea trade & clipper speed)

Old Royal Naval College (Wren’s masterpiece)

Queen’s House axis (your favourite kind of ceremonial geometry)

Climb to the Royal Observatory for the Prime Meridian

Greenwich is the Thames as cosmic river, where navigation, empire, and time itself were standardized.

                                 

End the Day Sunset at Greenwich Park or the Thames Path

You see the entire arc of the day — from the medieval Tower to the modern skyline — in one sweeping view.

                               

At Night, you can opt to eat Dinner on the River at one of Greenwich's riverside pubs or take the Thames Clipper back to Central London for a night river ride.

Why it important to Explore the River Thames

Exploring the River Thames matters because the river is the backbone of London’s history, identity, and evolution. Understanding it means understanding how London became London. 

                               

The Thames has been a vital artery for settlement, trade, and transport since ancient times, influencing where and how London developed. Early settlements, Roman Londinium, and medieval trade all depended on the river’s strategic location. For centuries, the Thames served as London’s main commercial highway, connecting Britain to global trade routes. The docks along the river were the principal gateways of the British Empire well into the 20th century.

                                

Exploring the river helps you see how London transformed from a medieval port into a global powerhouse. The Thames Connects London’s Most Iconic Landmarks, from Westminster to Tower Bridge to Greenwich, the Thames links the city’s most important architectural and historic sites. Exploring the river gives you a continuous narrative of London’s evolution across eras. Exploring the River Thames is important because it lets you experience the origins of London, the growth of a global city, the ceremony and culture that define Britain, and the engineering and environmental transformations that shaped modern life. It’s not just a river — it’s London’s story told in water.