Appalachian Life-Long Learners at West Virginia University (ALL at WVU)

"ALL Members" Trip

Royal River Thames

May 10 to 29, 2007

Trip coordinator: Wally Venable - 304-328-5128 – wallace.venable@mail.wvu.edu

View the trip announcement

The Boat Renters' Thames

The "boat renters' Thames" begins just above the small town of Lechlade and runs 138 miles to Richmond, on the western edge of London. The Thames is often called the Royal River because no less than four Crown castles or palaces, Windsor, the Tower, Richmond, and Hampton Court, are within sight of the river.

Pleasure boat rental on the Thames goes back over a hundred years, but each year fewer cruising boats become available as more and more British families decide to vacation overseas.

This stretch of river is good for cruising by novices because it is a series of pools created by dams (which the English call weirs) each bypassed by a professionally manned lock. The tidal river used by commercial seagoing shipping ends in central London, and only minor commercial use will be encountered.

Many Thames valley residents keep boats, and a wide variety will be seen. Everyday manually boats include canoes, kayaks, fishing and picnicking rowboats, crew shells. Sailing dinghys will be found in some stretches. Power boats of all descriptions, from ocean-going cruisers through motor canoes, canal boats, and steam launches will be seen. In addition, a few people live afloat in a wide variety of craft.

The Boat