~ Twenty bridges from Tower to Kew, wanted to know what the river knew. 

Twenty bridges or twenty-two. 

For they were young and the Thames was old. 

And this is the tale the river told: ~ Rudyard Kipling

For well over a millennia, London has been considered one of the world’s greatest cities. And for well over a millennia, the Thames River has been the heart pumping life into this great city. So much of what the city has to offer, is on the shores of this great river, so let’s see just how much.

See: The Thames Barrier: One of the world’s largest movable flood barriers. It’s nothing special, but it is huge.

Do: Visit Trinity Buoy Wharf: For art, food, and events.

Fly: over London on the Emirates Air Line Cable Car, which takes you from the North to South banks of the Thames the cool way.

Visit: The O2 Arena: Entertainment complex with shopping, nightlife, arcades, a world famous arena hosting massive events, and Up at the O2: where you can climb to the top of the arena, not for the faint of heart.

Drink: Grab a pint at the Cutty Sark, a Georgian era pub overlooking the river. Just a few feet West, check out the Trafalgar Tavern, from Victorian times.

Explore: the Old Royal Naval College: The beautiful former hospital for naval men is now a popular if underrated London attraction. See the Painted Hall, visit the old chapel, and go bowling at a Victorian age Skittles Alley.

Experience: Life on a British Tea Clipper on the Cutty Sark, the last remaining tea clipper now turned into a museum.

Learn: At the Maritime Museum: Ok so this one isn’t actually on the river, but I had to make an exemption since it’s so river oriented and only a couple minutes walk from the bank.

Walk: The Greenwich Foot Tunnel: It’s a tunnel under the river, what’s not to like? The stairs. The stairs are not to like.

Walk: from Limehouse Basin: Use this cute little marina to start your walks along the canals which connect to the river here.

Visit: the Brunel Museum: A small museum on the south bank next to Rotherhithe Station about the Thames Tunnel and the man who engineered it.

Drink: at the Mayflower Pub: Named for the famous ship that was last docked here before sailing to the new world. Who knows, you may be sitting in the seat of a pilgrim.

See: the Execution Docks: Go down King Henry’s Stairs (yes that’s a road), and you’ll find a ladder leading to a sandy bank of the Thames. Go down. It may not look like much, in fact, it looks like nothing, but this is where criminals who weren’t worthy of the Tower of London were executed. One of those criminals was the famous pirate Captain Kidd.

Relax: at St. Kathetrine’s Docks: This charming marina houses many cafes and restaurants as well as the Dickens Inn: which, unfortunately, has nothing to do with the renowned poet.

Well , We’ve arrived at Tower Bridge, check out part two as things start to get interesting.