Like so many cities, London is defined by its relationship with the river that runs through its heart. The stretch of The Thames that flows through London, however, is a particularly infamous body of water that serves as artery and vein for the city, in both historically good and bad ways.
Originally the main water supply for the city, the Thames was also the sole run-off for all of London's effluvia - resulting in a deadly choleric breeding ground that killed a vast percentage of the population. Equally, however, The Thames brought trade and prosperity to a particularly central region of the country. These days of course, London is under no threat from outbreaks of Cholera; nor does it rely on the river for its import and export businesses.
These days, the mighty Thames flows benignly through the city, providing passage mainly to sightseers and ferry-commuters, and most certainly as a beautiful and open location to view the rest of the city.
In the centre, along its southern shore, is The South Bank - a beautiful stretch of continental-style culture: cafes, trees, grass; not to mention Tate Modern, The National Theatre, The Hayward Gallery, The BFI and The Globe Theatre.A sunny afternoon spent wandering the south bank's amiable paths are well worth the trip to London alone. Crossing one the Thames iconic bridges provides an amazing view of some of London's greatest landmarks. Tower Bridge, that most beautiful of bridges, provides a great view down towards The London Eye and The Houses of Parliament; Norman Foster's notorious Millennium Bridge straddles the twin sights of Tate Modern and St. Paul's; and The Hungerford Footbridge provides a wonderful link between Embankment and The Sounthbank Centre.
Trips down the river on one of the many tour cruises available is wonderful way to see the city in cross-section, dissipating further inland as the countryside emerges - swelling and towering in the middle around the financial hub of England. Like The Seine, The Rhine, The Danube or The Hudson; The Thames is the heart and soul of London, bisecting it and creating an oasis of contemplation in its midst.
So, if the sun is shining, why not book one of the cheap bed and breakfast in London on a whim with cheapbedandbreakfastinlondon.com, and find yourself on the banks of one of the greatest rivers in the world.
London and the Thames River