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The very heart of London life
The River Thames is 215 miles long and winds its way from the rural Cotswolds through the centre of London and out into the North Sea. This majestic waterway has been at the very heart of London life for thousands of years.
Discover the historic villages that line its banks, take a boat trip to see London landmarks at their riverside best or punt along its leafier stretches in Oxford.
Boating
If you want to explore the River Thames the leisurely way, why not take a boating holiday? After all, it is Britain’s longest-established pleasure-boating river! 125 miles and 44 locks of the non-tidal Thames are used for all forms of boating, from motor cruising and narrow boating to sailing and rowing.
The Thames is navigable from Lechlade in Oxfordshire to Teddington in London, but if you’re in a canoe or another light, unpowered vessel you can navigate as far upstream as Cricklade near the source of the Thames. The river is relatively quiet until Oxford, from where it’s thriving all the way to London.
More information
Wildlife and fishing
The Thames is home to some fascinating wildlife including water voles, otter and various species of birds including herons and moorhens. To find out about Thames wildlife in detail visit the Thames Path website.86 species of marine fish have been recorded in the tidal Thames, including various species of Goby, Herring, Mullet, Plaice, Pouting, Eels and Sole. There are also 14 species of euryhaline fish (that can tolerate both salt and fresh water), including Smelt, Bass, Flounder, Trout, Twaite Shad and Allis Shad.
You can fish in the Thames, and it’s free at many sites. However, you will need a rod licence before you can fish. For more information on fishing in the Thames, go to VisitThames - Fishing.
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