Transport for London
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Close up on river travel
The River Thames is one of the oldest 'roads' in the capital and last year a record 9.8 million passengers travelled on river services to get around London.
Did you know, though, that rowing races on the Thames date back to the 18th century and that Londoners have been using the Woolwich Ferry to cross the river since the 1300s?
Here are some interesting facts you may not know:
Row your boat
The Doggett's Coat and Badge Race is the oldest rowing race in the world, and is also believed to be the world's oldest sporting contest still going.
The first race was held in 1715 and it continues to take place on the River Thames every July.
By Royal command
Transporting passengers on the River Thames first became regulated in 1510 when King Henry VIII granted licenses to watermen which gave them exclusive rights to carry passengers on the river.
Record breakers
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Thames pageant, which took place in June 2012, broke the Guinness World Record for the 'World's Largest Parade of Boats'.
Over 1,000 boats took part, 670 of which were officially part of the flotilla and included in the count. (Working boats and stationary boats were not counted.)
Ferry across the Thames
The origins of the Woolwich Ferry can be traced back to the 14th century when residents had the right to operate a ferry between Woolwich on the north shore of the Thames and Warren Lane on the south.
The earliest references to the ferry can be found in state papers of 1308 when William de Wicton, the waterman who ran the service, sold his business and house for £10.
Speed the torch
During the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the world watched as David Beckham blasted his way down the Thames on board a speed boat, delivering the Olympic Torch to the stadium in style.
