Teaching Ideas
Why not use your time on the river for further study?
Environment
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?
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Dace
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Sand Eel
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Pike
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Perch
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Roach
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Rudd
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Minnow
What wildlife can you spot whilst on the river?
Common
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Mallards
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Crested Grebe (why were these nearly driven to extinction on the Thames?)
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Cormorants
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Egyptian Goose
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Gulls
Less common
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Heron
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Canadian Goose
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Tern
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Coot
Rare
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Kingfisher
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Seal
Arts
Richmond holds the unique position of the only view in the UK protected by parliament.
Jerome K. Jerome starts Three Men in a Boat from Kingston.
History
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.