| · The River starts out as a small stream in a | | | | the River Thames it is because the Thames has been |
| field in the Gloucestershire area (its reckoned that the | | | | home to swan life since the 12th century when |
| source is about a mile north of the village of Kemble, | | | | Richard the Lionheart imported the beautiful creatures |
| near Cirencester) The Thames flows for over 200km | | | | from Cyprus. |
| through the Cotswolds and the towns of Oxford and | | | | · The River Thames is home to wonderful |
| Windsor before it makes its way to London! | | | | wildlife - and over 100 different types of fish inhabit the |
| · The Thames has been known to freeze | | | | waters. |
| over in the past. The people of London would have | | | | · They say the river water in the Thames is |
| enjoyed "Frost Fairs" on the Thames during those | | | | drinkable - apparently if you leave a glass of its water |
| times, which froze due to the cold winter weather. The | | | | overnight to allow the settling of the silt the water is |
| earliest known river freeze was in the 12th century | | | | drinkable - However we do not advise that you try |
| AD. In modern times due to the faster flow of the | | | | this! |
| Thames the river no longer freezes over. | | | | · London is home to an astounding four World |
| · The Thames is the longest river in England, | | | | Heritage Sites (Tower of London, Westminster Palace, |
| and the river experiences an 8-metre water level | | | | Greenwich Maritime Area, and Kew Gardens) and |
| change! The biggest and smallest tidal changes happen | | | | they are all located alongside the River Thames! |
| in the springtime. | | | | · During the Roman occupation of England, the |
| · The more downstream on the Thames you | | | | river was known as Tamesis meaning "wide water" or |
| go, the wider the river becomes. The area around | | | | "dark water". |
| Tower Bridge is around 270 metres in width (around | | | | · Before the sewer system was built for |
| 870 feet)! | | | | London, the Thames was known as a terribly dirty |
| · Experts reckon that the River Thames once | | | | river. During the 19th century, the sewage and waste |
| flowed from Wales to Clacton and became a part of | | | | from the city was all pumped in there. At one stage in |
| the River Rhine! This was before the North Sea was | | | | the mid 19th century the era was called "The Great |
| in existence! | | | | Stench" as the stink was so bad. Things have |
| · It is said that a raindrop that falls into the | | | | dramatically improved since those days! |
| River at its source in the Cotswolds area is drank by | | | | · The Tower Bridge, which opens on average |
| an average of 8 people in advance of the time it | | | | 1,000 times a year is a must see event if you are |
| meets the sea! | | | | along the River Thames. The opening takes just 61 |
| · Around 37 river crossings exist over the | | | | seconds! There are wonderful walkways to be |
| Thames, with 33 bridges and 4 tunnels (excluding | | | | enjoyed along the Tower Bridge and you can see all |
| London Underground Tunnels). | | | | the sights along the Thames. Check out the Tower |
| · If you have seen swans and their young on | | | | Bridge Website for scheduled bridge lifts! |