London's River Walk

Trade, transport and traditions

The River Thames is London. It’s why the Romans chose its gravel north bank to found Londinium; its tidal waters brought trade and wealth to the City - and continues to do so.

Spend a leisurely couple of hours walking along its edge and let your City of London Guide tell you about frost fairs, swan upping, entertainment Southwark-style and Lord Mayors’ Shows.

Discover how the Thames helped - and hindered - the City during the Blitz of 1940 and what role it played during the Great Fire of 1666.

See the first crossing of the River Thames for 100 years and learn the reason why it really did wobble
Get all the facts and figures on the Thames; its tides and its wildlife. Did you know there are over 100 species of fish in the Thames?
Visit an 1100 year-old dock and the site of the first public lavatory (fortunately no longer there!)
Admire modern buildings like the Shard and learn how Shakespeare's Globe Theatre came to be built.
Walk by London Bridge and learn how it looked 700 years ago.
Discover the origins of the nursery rhyme ‘London Bridge is falling down’.
Learn about the Pool of London and why it was once the busiest port in the world

Your walking tour starts from the City Information Centre, south of St Paul’s Cathedral. It lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours and ends near Monument. Your guide will be able to advise you on local pubs, cafes and eating places.