A cold period, a lot of dirt and a Giant Ferris Wheel: the Thames has seen a lot. In the 17^th century the Thames was frozen most of the time and people went ice-curling and sledging on it. With the onset of the thaw period the focus shifted onto coal: The 18^th century marked the era of trade ships, providing the Empire with coal and wealth. But doom was inevitable: The biggest maritime disaster in English history happened here as well, when a pleasure boat collided with a cargo ship and 640 people died. The river was in a bad shape back then: Due to misrouted sewage even the Parliament hat to move out because Westminster – and the whole town – was reeking. Today, when sewers and filter systems get rid of the dirt, the Thames is one of the cleanest rivers once again.

And probably the whale that got lost in it in 2006 thought the same – even if he didn’t find the way back to the sea again anyway. You see: A walk along the Thames is worthwhile. It’s not just any river but one that defied the cold, the dirt and an inconvincible whale. And the buildings on its banks – Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster or London Eye – are quite nice as well.