Every September, the Thames takes centre stage as the Totally Thames festival returns with a tidal wave of cultural events, riverside celebrations and water-themed wonders. Spanning the entire 42-mile stretch of London’s riverfront, the month-long festival showcases everything from open-air concerts to immersive art installations and heritage tours.
You can expect everything from guided mudlarking sessions along the foreshore to historical walking tours tracing the stories of sailors, pirates and poets who once frequented the Thames. There will also be performances from riverside choirs, floating theatre boats and a spectacular river pageant celebrating the cultural diversity of London’s river communities. In short, it’s a must-visit event for anyone who loves London’s aquatic artery.
The Lifeblood of London: Celebrating the Thames
The River Thames begins at Thames Head in Gloucestershire and flows 215 miles eastwards until it meets the North Sea at the Thames Estuary. Despite its urban stretches, the Thames is teeming with wildlife including over 125 species of fish. From roach, dace and perch in the upper reaches to sea bass and flounder in the tidal sections, the Thames offers surprisingly good fishing.
Head out for a stroll along the riverbank and you’ll often come across people enjoying a quiet afternoon’s fishing. If you want to give it a go though, it’s not as simple as just pitching up your stool – there are plenty of rules and regulations governing fishing on the Thames that protect the wildlife and habitats along the iconic stretch of water.
Fishing on the Thames is free in many areas, particularly along the non-tidal stretches, though anglers must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence. In tidal sections – roughly east of Teddington Lock – additional permissions may be required depending on where you fish. While night fishing is generally prohibited in central London, angling spots like Richmond, Kingston and Isleworth offer scenic and well-stocked options. The River Thames website has everything you need to know about licenses, restrictions and allowable tackle.
Hooked on the Reel Life
Fishing remains one of the UK’s most popular pastimes, drawing in around 1.5 million regular participants, but its appeal goes far beyond the banks of the Thames. TV shows like Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing have turned the quiet act of angling into must-watch feel-good entertainment. Meanwhile, thrill-seekers have flocked to shows like River Monsters and Deadliest Catch to experience a more extreme side to fishing.
And the UK’s obsession with fishing doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. It’s also taken root in the digital world, particularly in iGaming. The Big Bass slots series, with its cartoonish fisherman and underwater jackpots, has become one of the most popular slots online franchises in the country. Alongside it, the Fishin’ Frenzy series continues to reel in players with its blend of bright visuals and the irresistible thrill of the catch.
Whether you’re watching it, playing it, or knee-deep in waders living it, fishing continues to charm the UK public and with events like Totally Thames reminding us of the river’s magic, it’s clear that we’ll always be a nation captivated by the water.
