Spelthorne Borough Council

Providing Quality Services to the People of
Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell & Sunbury

The River Thames

skip through navigation (Access Key = S ) Jump to Accessibility Information (Access Key = 0 ) Jump to Home Page (Access Key = 1 ) Jump to News (Access Key = 2 ) Jump to Site Map (Access Key = 3 ) Jump to Search Box (Access Key = 4 ) Jump to Frequently Asked Questions (Access Key = 5 ) Jump to Help Page (Access Key = 6 ) Jump to Complaints (Access Key = 7 ) Jump to Terms and Conditions (Access Key = 8 ) Jump to Feedback Form (Access Key = 9 ) Jump to content (Access Key = N ) Jump to Business and Advice (Access Key = B ) Jump to Leisure and Culture (Access Key = C ) Jump to Council and Community Diary (Access Key = M ) Jump to Environment and Planning (Access Key = V ) Jump to Community and Learning (Access Key = G ) Jump to Do It Online (Access Key = O ) Jump to Children and Young People (Access Key = P ) Jump to A to Z Services (Access Key = T ) Jump to Your Council (Access Key = Y ) Jump to A too Z site Index (Access Key = Z ) jump to Read Speaker functionality (Access Key = L) Jump to Printer Friendly Version (Access Key = F) Jump to Graphical (Access Key = J) Jump to Change Contrast (Access Key = K)

Home Do it Online Your Council Leisure Environment and Planning Business and Advice Community and Learning

About Spelthorne Council | About the Borough | About the Local Committee | Consultation | Councillors | Council and Committee meetings | Council Tax | Directgov | Electoral Services | Emergency information | Fair Processing Notice | Freedom of Information | Housing and Council Tax Benefits | Jobs at Spelthorne | MP and MEPs | National Fraud Initiative | Partnerships | Publications | Other facts and figures | Suggestions and complaints | Surrey Alert | Surrey Districts | Market tender | Surrey Online |

Borough coat of arms | History of Spelthorne | Statistics and Census Information | The River Thames | Spelthorne/Melun Twinning | Your neighbourhood





The River Thames is the longest river wholly in England measuring 346 km (215 miles). The Thames begins in the Cotswold Hills (Gloucestershire), meandering eastwards through Spelthorne before passing through the city of London and ending in the North Sea.
Archaeologists have shown that Spelthorne has been populated since the Ice Age, when the river assumed its present course.
Staines, originally a small Roman town called Ad Pontes (meaning "at the bridges"), developed beside the original river crossing established in the 1st Century A.D. The wooden structure built by the Romans was the first of a series of bridges at this point leading to the present bridge opened in 1832.

The Thames has a great deal to offer - from daily boat trips to simply wandering along its banks and enjoying its tranquil scenery. The locks enjoy a deserved reputation for attractively maintained gardens including those at Penton Hook, Chertsey, Shepperton and Sunbury.

Many of Spelthorne's attractive parks and open spaces are situated beside the river, and include
From these vantage points it is also possible to enjoy the ever-changing river scene and observe many species of water fowl, including the stately mute swans which frequent Spelthorne's main waterway.

The ancient ceremony of swan upping takes place annually during July, and this historic custom, dating back over 500 years, involves a survey of the birds belonging to the Crown and the Vintners and Dyers Companies. Swans are counted and marked, according to ownership, on a 70 mile, five day journey up the River Thames.


Graphical Version l  Change Contrast 
Contact Us l  A-Z Index l  Site Map 
© Spelthorne Copyright 2003   l  Privacy Policy l  Terms & conditions l  Translate l  Accessibility