h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yay! I'll have to get back to you with a bit more detail probably (or perhaps others can chip in) but here's some stuff on the Thames - definitely the greatest river there is!

Where is it?
South Coast of England

Where does it flow from and to?
According to http://www.visitthames.co.uk/fintro.html, it starts at Cricklade (don't know where that is) and I believe it flows into the sea at Essex. I'll be mainly referring to the London bit

What's its history?
The Thames has been the focal point of London since Roman times. It was mainly used for trade and hosted the world's biggest docks called the Port of London. Due to this highly industrialised past, it was really filthy for about 1000 years, but in the past twenty years or so has become far cleaner and now has a lot of wildlife.

What can be see along its banks?
In Central London, the riverside is a fabulous place to walk. You can see the Houses of Parliament, the new GLA headlamp building, the scummy South Bank buildings, the Globe Theatre, St Pauls, the Tate Modern and many other attractions. Further East (best seen from a boat) you can still see many old dock buildings, many now converted into apartments. And eventually of course you get to Greenwich and Canary Wharf, both spectacular from the river. There is also an interesting riverside walk from Greenwich to the Dome

How do they compare today with their past?
There is a lot more effort going into making the river an attraction than there was in the past though of course in the past the river was probably a much more exciting, bustling place with sailing ships instead of ugly cruise boats.

Do they offer river tours and are they any good?
Yes, many. The ones with the faux-cockney tour guides are good, you will learn some interesting things (just don't believe all of it!)
There are some more booking details here http://www.visitlondon.com/html/index.php?pgd=59&rcd=145&quicksearch=river+boats&qss=0&lctnid=14&pn=

The London Eye is of course another great way to see the river if you can stomach it.

I have to work now, but will add some more when I have checked a few facts.

Love Heron xx

"I believe it flows into the sea at Essex."

I'd like to think that it flows into the sea at Kent.

South coast is a bit off-the-mark, too.

I believe it flows into the sea between Essex and Kent.

Precisely.

To be picky

The Thames is not on the South Coast, it flows into the North Sea on the East Coast. It flows into the sea in BOTH Essex and Kent, the country boundary runs throught he middle of the river.

another notable sight, formaly the longest pier in the world, Southend Pier, complete with train

Ahem. I don't know what I was thinking. I meant the South of England, sorry. This is what happens when you get excited about something when you're supposed to be working...

Heron xx

>it starts at Cricklade (don't know where that is)
Cricklade is near Swindon in Wiltshire.

...and flows through ... A1048736