River Thames

London · rivers · England · history

Super long waterway. The River Thames stretches for 215 miles across southern England, making it the longest river that stays completely within England. Only the River Severn is longer in the entire United Kingdom.

Heart of London. The Thames flows right through London, and for centuries it was the city's most important highway for trade and travel. Today, famous landmarks like Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye all sit along its banks.

Tidal river. The part of the Thames near London is tidal, meaning the water level rises and falls with the ocean's tides twice a day. This makes it a blend of freshwater and saltwater.

Ancient Roman route. The Romans built the city of Londinium (now London) on the Thames because it was easy to navigate by boat. The river made London one of the most important cities in their empire.

Wildlife habitat. Despite being an urban river, the Thames is home to fish, swans, otters, and many water birds. It's much cleaner and healthier today than it was 50 years ago.