have seen the Mississippi,
That is muddy water.
I have seen the St Lawrence.
That is crystal clear.
But the Thames is liquid history.
John Burns 
  

 Islands on the Thames
(Listed in upstream order)

Canvey Island
Isle of Grain
Frog Island, Rainham
Isle of Dogs
Chiswick Eyot
Oliver's Island, Kew
Brentford Ait
Lot's Ait
Isleworth Ait
Corporation Island, Twickenham
Glover's Island, Twickenham
Eel Pie Island, Twickenham
Trowlock Island, Teddington
Steven's Eyot
Raven's Ait, Hampton Court
Boyle Farm Island
Thames Ditton Island
Ash Island, East Molesey
Tagg's Island, Hampton Court
Garrick's Ait
Platt's Eyot
Sunbury Court Island, Sunbury
Swan's Rest Island, Sunbury
Rivermead Island, Sunbury
Sunbury Lock Ait
Wheatley's Ait
Desborough Island, Shepperton
D'Oyly Carte Island
Lock Island
Hamhaugh Island
Pharaoh's Island
Penton Hook Island
Truss's Island
Church Island, Staines
Hollyhock Island, Staines
Holm Island, Staines
The Island, Hythe End
Magna Carta Island, Runnymede
Pats Croft Eyot
white lily island
Katie-Jo's island
Isle of The Great Crostini
Poodle island
Caspars island
Mather Island
Kat Isle
Scuttle Island
Davage Ait

Courtesy of Wikipedia (click on Wikipedia for more information about the River Thames, its islands and bridges)
 

  The River

There is no white water on the Thames; it is technically un-graded. This makes it excellent for novices and those who want to travel and explore at their leisure as the water flows at walking pace. You can also ‘Complete The River’ from the official ‘start’ of the River where the figure of ‘Old Father Thames’ stands at Lechlade, 140miles from the City of London.

There are campgrounds, pubs, restaurants and hotels on the River and many famous sites to see.

Fishing & Wild life

Fishing licences can be arranged for the duration of your trip: (Thames Water) Fishing rights on some parts of the River are privately owned.

Wild life is most likely to be seen in the early hours. Otter sightings are rare and if you see one it is a very special sight. They mark their territory with fish bones and are very shy and seldom seen. One of the beauty’s of travelling by silent means is that you can come very close to the wildlife; kingfishers, swans, Canada geese, herons, kestrels, curlew and many more.

The variety of plant life is extensive. One of the tributaries to the Thames is the Loddon, which gives its name to the famous Loddon Lily or Summer Snowflake. It is illegal to pick this plant and many others. Protected plants include the Water Figwort, Ladies’ Smock (Cuckoo Flower), Snakeshead Fritillary, Water Mint and Dewberry.

History (abridged)

The first recorded reference to the Thames can be found in Julius Ceaser’s ‘De Bello Gallico’, where it is called Thamesis, a Celtic word meaning dark water.

Oxford: The historical city of Oxford is a university town, which is bisected by navigable waterways. The scenic Oxford canal runs past the back gardens of terraced houses, campsites and hotels, which are walking distance to the colleges and pubs.

Abingdon grew up around an Abbey founded in AD675. There is now a 3 star hotel on the River Bank. Morris Dancers perform in the month of June outside each Inn; this dancing is a custom of uncertain origin.

Clifton Hampden is a small village where Jerome K Jerome sat and wrote a few chapters of ‘Three Men in a Boat’ in a public house, which dates as far back as 1352.

Dorchester founded by the Romans, now with USA connections.

Wallingford once the home of Jethro Tull (1674-1741).


Pangbourne is the area that inspired Kenneth Graham’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’. The pub, “Appletons at the Swan” is where Jerome K. Jerome and his companions abandoned their ‘Three Men in a Boat’ journey.

Hurley: A nine hundred year old village boasting the oldest public house in the UK. This village has a well-equipped campsite and is an excellent location to use as a base. Travelling by River it is 9 miles up stream to Henley, 2 miles down stream to Marlow and then a further 12 miles to Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle: Accessible and visible from the River. Pre-booked tickets to the castle can be arranged.

Runnymede Island (also known as Magna Carta Island or Charter Island) is alleged to be the site of the signing of the Magna Carta (the exact location could have been in a meadow, on the island or anywhere nearby). On 15th June 1215 King John sealed the Great Charter and the right to navigation on the River Thames is recognised in Clause 48.


Eton and Eaton College: Proposed site of the Rowing for the 2012 Olympics

Hampton Court Palace: The famous hedge maze and beautiful gardens at home of King Henry V111.

Safety

Rules of the River: International Water traffic laws state that you keep to the right. The most mobile craft give way to less mobile craft and as you are in the most mobile and smallest, then you give way to everything. Good manners always helps.

Locks: Locks control the flow of the water and canoes and kayaks are asked to portage around these. Craft may be exiting the lock and you must give way to them. Always follow the instructions of the Lock Keeper. Not all locks have Lock Keepers.

When approaching a lock be aware of possible weirs; weirs are artificial water falls that divert the main body of the water along a separate course to that of the navigation. Getting pulled into the flow of these is avoided by staying on the other side of the River. Weirs are well marked, as are the Routes of Navigation. Please always follow the Routes of Navigation.

Also be aware that as you are low on the water you can be difficult to see and always take precautions believing that you have not been seen until proven otherwise.

Bridges: As water flows from a wider to narrower gap it speeds up as it is forced through. This often happens under the arches of the ancient bridges and a swell can occur by the pillar. It is easiest to continue to paddle in the centre of the gap and right through until the water slows again.

Swans are the most feared creatures on the water, especially in springtime when they are nesting. They have been known to attack, so you must give them plenty of space.

Life jackets of various sizes are available and you must wear them at all times. Helmets are also available.

You will be given a safety brief prior to being allowed on the water. Every person going on a TRA Adventure Trip must read and sign the “Health and Safety Disclaimer” which states that they are aware of the dangers of the Adventure Trip and have been given the “Introduction to Safety” information and practical instruction.