The River Thames

The Thames is undoubtedly one of Britain's most important rivers and has helped shape our history and way of life in many ways. Flowing from Thames Head near Kemble in Gloucestershire through Oxford, Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor and London to the North Sea, it is England's longest river at 213 miles. Its navigable, non-tidal section from Lechlade to Teddington is 135 miles long and contains 44 locks.

The Thames has been host to battles, strategic crossing points, prehistoric settlements, industry of all shapes and sizes, royal palaces, hamlets, villages, towns, cities, commerce, global trade, murder, mystery, remarkable wildlife, literary inspiration, political scandal, constitutional, political and industrial revolution, world records, sporting spectaculars and much partying, dinking, eating, meeting, talking, walking, cycling, riding, boating and sailing. To top it all, it still provides two thirds of the drinking water for the residents of one of the biggest and greatest cities on the planet. Not bad for something that starts out as a trickle of water in the corner of a quiet field in Gloucestershire.