35 Facts About The River Thames That Will Drive You Round The Bend!

Think of a place filled with history and modernism along the banks of the River Thames.

Historical buildings including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, opera houses, the prestigious universities, Madame Tussauds museum, orchestras, the British Museum are all located on the banks of the River Thames in London. If you have ever visited London or heard of it or read about it in your books, we are sure you are familiar with these places.

London is a place of stories and folktales, of its people and their accents, marvels of development, and the mystique of monarchy. London’s River Thames runs through the middle of this gorgeous city.

To study the history of London without acknowledging the role of the River Thames would be a futile exercise. The River Thames was there when the World War broke out, when England found its first female prime minister, and when Queen Elizabeth assumed power. If rivers could speak, many stories could be told.

Picturesque central London becomes all the more beautiful with the River Thames. There are so many things you can do in London. The banks of the Thames constitute one significant portion of it. Without further ado, let us spill some exciting facts about the River Thames which will pique your interest.

After you have understood the important landmarks along the River Thames, also check 15 interesting facts about River Thames we bet you haven’t heard before and totally Thames festival returns.

How long is River Thames?

The ancient name of the River Thames was Tamesis. Tamesis is a Latin word derived from the old Celtic word, 'Tamesas' meaning dark. It is perhaps that the water of the River Thames appeared dark and cloudy.

According to scientists, the River Thames is considered to be as old as 58 million years. One of the earliest people to write about the Thames was Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor, after his journey to Britain in 54 BC. He described the river as challenging to cross.

Interestingly in the past, the River Thames used to freeze regularly during winters. This led to the initiation of ‘Frost fairs’ where various shops and activities were performed. Skating was one of the favorite pastimes for Londoners back in the winters between 1550 and 1750.

The course of the river as we know it today was acquired only 10,000 years ago. Before this, the River Thames has changed its system multiple times over a million years. This change in the river’s course is due to various reasons, the prominent reason being the rise in sea level.

The length of the River Thames is 215 mi (346 km)! Yes, you heard that right and if you cannot decipher the distance, let us help you do the mathematics. Two hundred and fifteen miles of rivers would roughly be the distance between London and Middlesbrough.

Yes, it's that long. London is not the only city that the River Thames travels through. It is the second-longest river in the UK after the River Severn, the longest river which is 220 mi (354 km).

The mighty Thames begins in Gloucestershire at Trewsbury Mead (near Cheltenham) and ends in Essex between Whitstable and Foulness Point. The river also flows through seven counties: Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, and Greater London.

Besides this, another interesting fact about the Thames is that it can be divided into two parts- Tidal and Non-tidal. The tidal Thames spans 68 mi (109.4 ) from the river’s mouth to Teddington Lock.

At the same time, the non-tidal stretch of the river begins from Teddington Lock up to Thames Head in Gloucestershire. This phenomenon is also called high spring tides.

The Environment Agency usually advises not to swim in the tidal section of the Thames. The river gets cleaner towards the west, and places like Hurley lock, Medmenham, Shiplake are the best places to swim. About 200 bridges cross the River Thames in various locations. Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and Westminster Bridge are among the most well-known bridges.

Henley Bridge, built-in 1768  between Oxfordshire and Berkshire, is known for its five elliptical stone arches. The Royal Regatta takes place around this bridge.

The catchment area of the River Thames is 4,995 sq mi (12,936.9 sq km) in total, and if the River Medway is included as a tributary, the entire catchment area increases up to 5,924 sq mi (15,343 sq km).

The width of the Thames varies from place to place. As the river goes further downstream, the width increases. The River Thames is the widest and broadest strictly at the river's mouth which measures up to 18 mi (28.9 km). It is the narrowest in Lechlade, where the Thames river counts only to 59 ft (18 m).

From which country does River Thames originate?

The source of the Thames river is generally said to be at Thames’s Head. Thames Head is a group of seasonal springs. Spring is a place on the Earth’s surface where water flows from an aquifer. Springs are an essential source of water for humans.

Thames’s head grows at Coates, Gloucestershire, England, around three miles southwest of Cirencester in the Cotswolds. Yet another highly quoted source of the River Thames is Seven Springs near Cheltenham.

This is the place where the River Churn rises. The springs at Seven Springs flow throughout the year and have been said to be one of the places from which the River Thames originates.

Thus, the River Thames originates in Gloucestershire, England, and then it flows into the North Sea where the River Thames ends via Thames Estuary.

Why is it called the royal river?

The River Thames may lack length and settle for a secondary position after the River Severn, yet the River Thames takes the lead for royalty and peasants.

Which river would get the blessing to flow through Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace? On the  River Thames banks, you will find the best-known abode of the British monarchy. We take a look at some important places through which the river flows.

Windsor Castle- This palace is the principal home of Queen Elizabeth and one of the essential parts of the British Monarchy, which attracts hundreds of tourists from across the world.  The River Thames that flows across the castle is graced by the presence of beautiful swans.

Hampton Court Palace- The palace was once home to famous royals of the British monarch, the most renowned royal known to have resided there was Henry VII.  Hampton Court Palace is situated on a long bend in the River Thames.

Magna Carta Memorial- The River Thames passes through the Magna Carta memorial, which commemorates the signing of the Magna Carta, a document that limited royal power, in 1215.

Wallingford Castle- A huge castle was located, but then the palace was attacked and destroyed. Today, it is known for its serene gardens.

The Greenwich Peninsula is located in southeast London, England. It is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Thames. There are many relaxing spots around here.

Are there any tributaries of the River Thames?

River Thames main tributaries are:

Leach 18.75 mi (30.1 km) - it joins the River Thames near Lechlade

Churn 23.1 mi (37 km)- Joins at Cricklade, Wiltshire

Coln 32.5 mi (52.3 km)- it meets the Thames at Inglesham, Wiltshire

Windrush 30 mi (48.2 km) meets the Thames near the sand lake, Oxfordshire

Loddon 26.6 mi (42.8 km) joins at Wargrave, Berkshire

Ock 23.1 mi (37 km) joins at Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Kennet 42.5 mi (68.3 km)- meets the Thames at Reading, Berkshire

Evenlode 42.5 mi (68.3 km)- Joins the Thames at Bladon, Oxfordshire

Along the River Thames and its tributaries, numerous essential floodplains are home to a broad assortment of wildlife. They are a source of water and a beautiful aspect of our landscape to admire.

The many tributaries we just talked about meet into the Thames and are home to iconic natural animals such as otters, kingfishers, and water voles. As per data, more than 119 species are found in the river.

Many of these species are threatened by urbanization and foreign species however, the Rivers Trusts and Environmental Agency have been working hard to address this. The conservation of this wildlife is essential for an ecological balance and for maintaining the charm and beauty of the River Thames.

The River Thames supplies almost two-thirds of the capital's drinking water. Although, the water is thoroughly filtered before it reaches the tap.

Sports activities like rowing operate extensively on the Thames. There are almost 200 clubs that row on the Thames. Famous rowing events like the University boat race attract students from Oxford and Cambridge.

Almost every great location of England is located on the banks of this river, so the next time you visit London and climb the London bridge to see the River Thames, we are sure your knowledge about the Thames will enhance your experience.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for River Thames then why not take a look at facts about Japanese language in general to keep you informed, or facts about inner and outer planets that are out of this world!