River Thames

I twist and turn, flowing gently through a very busy city. I see bright red buses rumble over bridges and tall buildings that almost touch the clouds. At night, sparkling lights dance on my watery surface, and I hear the deep chime of giant bells ringing out the hour. People wave to me from boats that float along my back, and families walk beside me, laughing and pointing at the sights. I have been here for a very, very long time, watching the city grow all around me from a tiny town into a giant home for millions. I am the River Thames, the heart of London.

Long, long ago, my banks were not filled with buildings. They were quiet, green fields. But one day, something new appeared. Roman soldiers in shiny armor arrived and decided this was the perfect place for a new town. Around the year 43 CE, they began to build a settlement they called Londinium right beside me. To cross from one side to the other, they built the very first London Bridge. It was not made of stone like today's bridges. It was made of wood. I became their main watery road. Big boats and small boats traveled on my surface, carrying food, supplies, and people to help their new town grow.

As hundreds of years passed, my city grew even bigger. Knights in armor and powerful kings lived here. A famous king named William the Conqueror wanted a strong fortress to protect his city, so in the year 1078, he built a huge castle right next to me. You can still see it today. It is called the Tower of London. I was a busy liquid highway, with boats zipping back and forth all day long. But sometimes, during a time called the 'Little Ice Age,' the winter air would get so cold that I would freeze completely solid. My water would turn to thick ice. When this happened, people would hold amazing parties on me called Frost Fairs. The last big one was in the winter of 1814. People set up tents, played games, and even danced right on top of my icy surface. It was a magical time.

As more and more people came to live in London, they started to throw their rubbish into my water. I became very dirty and smelly. It was not a happy time for me. In the hot summer of 1858, the smell was so awful that people called it 'The Great Stink.' Nobody wanted to be near me. But then, a hero came along. His name was Joseph Bazalgette, and he was a very clever engineer. He had a brilliant idea. He designed giant tunnels, like secret underground rivers, to carry all the yucky waste away from me and out to the sea. It was a huge job, but it worked. He saved me.

Thanks to Joseph Bazalgette and others who kept working to clean me, my water is much healthier now. The fish have returned, and sometimes you can even spot seals and birds playing in my currents. I am proud of the famous landmarks that stand by my side. The magnificent Tower Bridge, which first opened its arms to let ships pass on June 30th, 1894, is my good friend. So is the giant London Eye Ferris wheel. I love connecting London's amazing past with its exciting present, and I am always happy when you come to visit my banks.