|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Talk follows the course of this great river from its source at Thames Head in
the Cotswolds to the Estuary. The Celts named part of the Taom river and the Romans
decided to call it Tamesis.
It was also the Romans who first saw its commercial potential and because of its strategic importance Londinium was founded.
For
centuries it was the main route for commerce and travellers, and in the 19th
century it became the backbone to a network of canals linking London and other
important cities in the country.
Kings and Queens built their palaces by the river, after all, it was often the only and safest way of travel and grand castles and palaces such as Windsor, Hampton Court, Richmond and Greenwich were built by its banks.
Today’s
Thames has renewed itself, and is recognised as Europe’s cleanest river with
over 116 different species of fish and wildlife. It provides relaxation,
tranquillity and escape to many people in their busy lives, either through
walking, bird watching, fishing and pleasure boats. The Thames also continues to
provide a developing commercial and trading service as London is the second
largest Port in this country.