River Tourism TheThames London’s lifeline, England’s pride London-Islamic Tourism The Thames is so famous that in the 1920’s some Arab poets eulogised the river even though they had never seen it. The river is famous for its history, its culture and its amazing variety. Based on its size, a mere 215 miles, from its source in the Cotswolds through to the estuary at Southend it could hardly be expected to evoke great passions. But the rise of the British Empire and the spread of English literature throughout the world made the river famous internationally. For the natives of Britain, the Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, river has something for Walton, Hampton Court and everyone. If you enjoy peace Kingston. Historic sites of interest and natural beauty, then the abound, ranging from tiny gentle and often remote hamlets such as Mapledurham, stretches of the upper Thames with its working water mill to grand will suit you. At Oxford, the castles and the palaces of river - locally known as Isis - Windsor and Hampton Court. springs to life. Here you can Around Teddington, the river take a cruise, hire a punt or changes its rhythm: though still 60 motor launch, or just sit at miles from Southend and the sea, riverside places and watch the Thames becomes tidal. the scullers from the world When the river flows to the nation’s famous University Clubs in capital, suburban gardens and training or competition. parks rub shoulders The Thames then meanders with Georgian mansions set through beautiful countryside alongside new luxurious riverside and historic settlements homes built on former wharves. through areas of great scenic Passenger boats coming upriver variety. You can also walk from Westminster stop at through the Thames Path Richmond, Kew, Chiswick and which stretches from the Putney en route to Kingston and source at Thames Head down Hampton Court. In central London to the Barrier. Alternatively, you can chose from many experience the river from the different passenger boats plying water - you will be surprised the piers between Westminster how different your experience and the Thames barrier. of the river will be when on Rowing became increasingly board a boat rather than popular, so clubs increased and standing on dry land! regattas became annual events. Passenger boats can be (Regatta is a Venetian word found in many towns including meaning a rowing match of Oxford, Abingdon, Henley, The River Thames. .õÁÉàdG ô¡f gondolas) The world famous Ȥ Islamic Tourism - Issue 08 - Autumn 2003 8 River Tourism .ágõæ∏d Ió«L á°Uôa ôaƒJ πØ≤dG á≤£æe The lock provides a good day out. Henley Regatta, held annually in July, meadows and grasslands with salt marshes for 20.9 million bed nights and £782 million in dates back to 1839. Another famous race in the estuaries. Some of the many creatures associated spending; was also Henley’s brainchild. In 1829, that inhabit the river stay in one place, others " Nearly 43 million day visits from locations St John’s College, Cambridge, migrate along the Thames, among them outside the area generating a further £1.1 challenged Christ Church, Oxford and salmon, which provides an important wildlife billion in expenditure; the first Oxford - Cambridge Boat Race corridor through urban areas. " This tourism expenditure accounts for took place between Hambleden Lock There are 14 million visits to the rural River £1.75 billion local businesses turnover and and Henley Bridge. Oxford won! This Thames every year, and up to an additional supports nearly 72,000 jobs. annual event generates great interest 28 million casual local visits, supporting But the Thames, particularly in London, is throughout Britain. hundreds of businesses and thousands of now the focus of much public debate. The Private pleasure cruising was a favourite jobs. There are also 26,000 boats question is: What kind of river do we want Victorian pastime. Today over 19,000 registered by the Environment Agency for the future? Enormous demands are boats are licensed to use the Thames which is responsible for the operation of placed on the Thames. Over 7 million above Teddington with over 6,000 boats the locks. There are about 9,000 privately- people depend on the river for water and visiting. The delights of cruising the river in owned power boats. A total of 97 124 sewage treatment works dispose of summer have to be balanced against passenger service and charter boats and the waste of the 11 million people who occasionally frustrating waits at the 45 101 house boats are registered for live in the Thames Valley. More and more locks that control the Upper Thames. Last residential use. There are 23 rowing clubs, people want riverside homes. Millions visit century saw a gradual decline in the use of 23 canoeing clubs and 25 sailing clubs and enjoy all the delights of the river. the river for trade, due to intense open to the public. How these demands are accommodated competition from rail and road. The amount of business generated by the has far reaching consequences, not only The Thames is a lowland river - its landscape river is illustrated by the following statistics for Britain but for many developing is gentle and in the surrounding flood plans from 2001: countries who are interested in optimal you find a rich diversity of woodlands, water " Some 5.6 million staying visits accounting use of their own rivers. Ȥ Islamic Tourism - Issue 08 - Autumn 2003 10 River Tourism Mr. Stephen Newman, the lock keeper. .πØ≤dG ÖbGôe ¿Éeƒ«f øØ«à°S ó«°ùdG A lock on the river Thames. .õÁÉàdG ô¡f ≈∏Y πØb The life of a lock keeper can be used for a week or so. All boats on every lock keeper takes care of his garden. I live on Hamhaugh island in the river the river Thames have to be licensed by In fact we used to have a competition for Thames and need to cross Shepperton lock the Environmental Agency. the best-kept garden." and weir at least twice a day. Last month I I have seen the boats coming and going Stephen considers himself very lucky to have strolled by the lock and met the lock keeper and Stephen is always there to lend a hand lived in this area. It is one of the most beautiful Mr. Stephen Newman. He lives by the lock - but what happens after working hours? spots on the river. Besides, the lock is with his wife and three children. We had a Do the boat owners manage by accessible by road. Some locks are only very friendly chat about the lock, his work themselves? It seems so. "Generally," Mr. accessible by river. The other advantage is and his family. He has worked here as a lock Newman says, "the locks are supervised that Shepperton is only 15 miles from London. keeper for 20 years and is always busy during the year. If a boat comes and there Above all, the people here are very friendly. I maintaining the lock through which an is no one there, owners can manage the discussed the possibility of developing the estimated 250,000 boats a year pass. boat themselves, either electrically or area for different kinds of tourism. Stephen Summer is, of course, the busiest time manually. The instructions are quite clear. agreed and said that the management wants because of the school holidays. In August If they have problems we advertise to attract more tourists to the river. alone about 5,000 boats pass through the telephone numbers for them to ring and We stopped at the cafeteria. Fifteen years lock. But winter days can be lonely. someone comes to help." ago the management encouraged Stephen There isn’t much commercial traffic on the I looked around the lock. It has nice to provide refreshments . It is a service to river nowadays as firms use the roads. gardens but who is the gardener? Mr. the public and it is also a way of getting Most boats are privately owned and there Newman said "Most of the lock gardens are people interested in the river. ½ is a higher percentage of hire boats that very beautiful. I take care of this one and Shepperton - A. S. Shakiry Islamic Tourism - Issue 08 - Autumn 2003 12 River Tourism View of Hamhaugh Island. .ƒ¡eÉg Iôjõ÷ ô¶æe The Thames is a lowland river - its landscape is gentle and in the surrounding flood plans you find a rich diversity of woodlands, water meadows and grasslands with salt marshes in the estuaries. Some of the many creatures that inhabit the river stay in one place, others migrate along the Thames, among them salmon, which provides an important wildlife corridor through urban areas. A river excursion. .ájô¡f ágõf Islamic Tourism - Issue 08 - Autumn 2003 14.