Learning Resources

Why not use your time on the river for further study?

Environment

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Over the last 30 years, the health of the river has improved dramatically. As the water has become cleaner, fish stocks have grown, allowing a large variety of water birds to return to the river.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-49607783

What fish would you expect to find in the Thames?

• Dace 

• Sand Eel

• Pike

• Perch

• Roach 

• Rudd

• Minnow

What wildlife can you spot whilst on the river?

Common

• Mallards

• Crested Grebe (why were these nearly driven to extinction on the Thames?)

• Cormorants

• Egyptian Goose

• Gulls

• Swans

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Less common

• Heron

• Canadian Goose

• Tern

• Coot

• Mandarin Duck

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Rare

• Kingfisher

• Seal

Arts

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Richmond holds the unique position of the only view in the UK protected by parliament.

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Jerome K. Jerome starts Three Men in a Boat from Kingston.

History

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Both Kingston and Richmond were (and in Hampton Court's case, still is) the location for important, historic Royal residences.  The river was used as the quickest and easiest form of transport for dignitaries using tradition, fixed seat boats, meaning that riverside palaces were the best for easy access to London and Parliament.