England's most famous river, The Thames, meanders through six counties before spilling into the sea at Gravesend in Kent. It traverses the counties of Gloucestershire - where it rises - Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey - all of which are navigable by boat.

Places of interest
Along the way it passes many places of interest: Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, birthplace of Winston Churchill; the market town of Chipping Norton; and Burford, the very pretty town on the hill, gateway to the Cotswolds. Oxford itself, close by the river, needs no introduction with its renowned university colleges. Henley, famous for the annual Royal Regatta week and its River & Rowing museum.

River Kennet
Into Berkshire, land the county town of Reading, a very lively spot during the day and night, and just 10 minutes' walk from the river. East of the town the River Kennet joins the Thames which feeds the start of the Kennet & Avon canal, another famous and totally navigable waterway.

Tourism
Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford are both historic towns adjacent to the River Thames. Henley hosts its annual Royal Regatta each year in July. Wallingford has new moorings close to the town centre, inviting visitors to come ashore. Don't miss the picturesque Chiltern scenery at Goring, one of the many villages set along 47 miles of the Thames in South Oxfordshire.

Writers
Marlow is one of the prettiest towns on the Thames, set in an officially designated area of natural beauty. It is quite the ideal location for boating, angling, walking and exploring. The town retains the charm and tranquillity that has attracted artists and authors through the ages. The poet Shelley lived in West Street and it is here that his wife, Mary Shelley, wrote her Gothic novel "Frankenstein". Jerome K. Jerome is reputed to have written the classic "Three Men in a Boat" in one of Marlow's local pubs.
The Marlow Regatta, said to be the biggest annual one day regatta in the world, is held two weeks prior to he Henley Regatta. Another historic tradition takes place during July when the "Swan Uppers" stop at Marlow on their progress up river counting and marking the Queen's royal swans.

Steamer trips
The town offers a wide range of shops, including boutiques, gifts and books, as well as the opportunity to enjoy excellent food and drink. Steamer trips can be taken both up and down river from Marlow. Further down river is the town of Windsor. Its castle, originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, dominates the town. It is now one of Queen Elizabeth II's favourite residences and attracts visitors from all over the world.

International landmark
Nearby is Eton, known for its boys public school, and Runnymede, the spot where King John I signed the Magna Carta in the 13th century. Other notable sites on the Thames include Hampton Court Palace at East Molesey in Surrey, built by Thomas Wolsey during the reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century. The Environment Agency, responsible for the River Thames, aims to manage the use and development in a way that reflects its importance as an international landmark, part of Britain's national heritage and an invaluable asset. In addition, the Agency protects fisheries and wildlife, enhances the landscape and provides recreational facilities.