River Thames

The River Thames is the longest river in England, flowing approximately 215 miles from its source near Kemble in the Cotswolds eastward through Oxford, London, and the Thames Estuary before entering the North Sea. It has been the central waterway of London since Roman times, when the city was founded on its banks, and for centuries it was the principal means of transport and trade for the capital. The Thames tidal section through London is managed by the Port of London Authority, while the upper non-tidal river is managed by the Environment Agency and is popular for recreational boating, fishing, and walking. The river is also an important wildlife corridor and its banks and estuary support significant ecological habitats.