On The Cover Great British Rivers From the Thames to the Tay
Follow some of our amazing waterways to discover scenic and cultural delights
At 346km (215 miles) the Thames is the longest river in England and the second longest in the UK, flowing from its source at the village of Kemble, Gloucestershire to the North Sea. It is spanned by more than 200 bridges, including London’s Tower Bridge.
When you stand on its banks in central London, landmarks dot the landscape, including the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Cleopatra’s Needle.
Passenger services ferry people up and down the river from the capital, and it’s worth jumping on one of them and exploring the attractions further afield. Hampton Court lies only 19.3km (12 miles) upstream, and is one of only two surviving palaces of Henry VIII. The other is St James Palace, another central London attraction. The Palace dates back to the early 16th century and houses many works of art and furnishings from the Royal Collection.
Henley on Thames is famous for its sailing and regattas, but the London borough also boasts one of England’s most noble stately homes. The origins of Stonor House go back further than those of Hampton Court and after you have enjoyed the building’s stunning interior, the hhouse’s’ llushh parklandkld contains i gardens, ponds and fountains.
Kew Gardens is another institution well worth a visit, with 330 acres (132 hectares) of botanical beauty. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its 50,000-plus species attract more than 1.3 million visitors every year.
Further upstream you’ll find the gleaming spires of Oxford, the university town where the riveri iis kknown as theh Isis.i The h university is the oldest in the English-speaking world and if it’s a rainy day, why not explore the Ashmolean Museum? Its diverse exhibits include an original Stradivarius violin, drawings by Michelangelo, an Arab ceremonial dress owned by Lawrence of Arabia and the Alfred Jewel which dates back to the reign of Alfred the Great.
Of course, you don’t need to devote an exploration of the Thames to going solely upstream. Further east from London lie the North Kent Marshes. They span the dry and wet south banks and inlets of the river’s estuary and have been recognised as one of the most important natural wetlands of Europe. Thousands of birds visit these marshes every year as a haven on their migratory journeys between the Arctic and Africa.