London is one of the most iconic cities in the world and the river Thames simply adds to its timeless elegance and is an integral part of the city’s long and storied history! Read on to discover some of the most fascinating facts about the legendary river and plan a trip to experience its allure for yourself as you reserve an extravagant stay at one of the hotels near Hogarth Road for a spectacular holiday experience!
- At 215 miles, the Thames is the longest river in England and the second-largest one in the United Kingdom. The majestic river flows through Windsor, Henley-on-Thames, Reading and Oxford!
- Did you know that the Thames is not only the longest river in the UK but also one of the cleanest rivers in the world? Yes. What was once declared a dead river in 1957 by the National History Museum, has undergone an epic recovery to become simply spotless and remarkable! Blessing the capital city of London, the Thames is an icon and the city’s pride. Book your stay at the luxurious Park Grand London Kensington and explore London City and its top attractions with serene views of the city river or take the popular river cruise ride for an experience to remember!
- A long time ago, between 1607 and 1814, there were a total of seven major frost fairs held on the frozen Thames River in the heart of London. What’s more fascinating is that these fairs hosted pop-up pubs, bull baiting and even saw a king or two participating in the festivities. This was the ultimate Winter Wonderland back in the day, featuring different activities like ice skating, dancing and market stalls selling food and drinks.
- The Thames is home to about 125 species of fish that call the river their home amongst other animals, including species of commercial importance and conservational significance. Not just diverse fish species but the river is also home to eels, salmon, and shads along with porpoises and dolphins (sighted in central London). Every summer a critically endangered European eel migrates up to the Thames.
P.S. A rare seahorse breed has also been found to have its habitat in the Thames, in the hope that a secret colony may be living near Greenwich!
- It was in 1252 that King Henry III was gifted a polar bear as a gift, all the way from Norway! The King has been known to keep the bear in the Tower of London and let it swim in the Thames to catch fish! With your luxurious stay at one of the hotels near Gloucester Tube Station, make sure to include the ever-so-popular Tower of London attraction to your list to enhance your experience!
- The oldest and the most unique boat race, the Race for Doggett’s Coat and Badge has continually competed by the apprentice river workers on the Thames since 1715. As one of the oldest sporting events in world history, for the second time in almost 300 years of the race’s history, it had to be postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- There are a whopping 200 bridges crossing the Thames! For the longest time, London Bridge was the only one of its kind, where you could cross the iconic river. As of today, the river boasts 200 rivers, wherein 21 bridges lie in central London between Tower Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge. The longest bridge to cross this city river is the 812-metre-long Queen Elizabeth II Bridge!
London is a melting pot of culture and has unending legendary tales as part of its history! Reserve an impeccable stay at one of the opulent hotels near Earls Court and experience it all, with the prestigious Thames River, in the centre of all the great experiences!
