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River Thames

Boats on the River Thames in Windsor

One of the most famous rivers in the world, the Thames runs for 216 miles from source to sea and is steeped in lore along virtually its entire route.

Rights of navigation were laid down in Magna Carta, but the river's history extends much further. Festivals and rituals such as the Boat Race, Henley Regatta and the annual Swan Upping imbue a character found nowhere but Old Father Thames.

Under the authority of the Environment Agency, the non-tidal Thames can be navigated for 135 miles from Cricklade to Teddington Lock, passing through 44 picturesque locks and near almost 150 wildlife sites. You can discover it by boat or from the Thames Path, one of Britain's most popular National Trails.

For more information about the River Thames visit the Environment Agency site visitthames.co.uk

From January 2011 there will be changes to the Environment Agency's boat registration procedure. Read the facts.