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The River Thames tides - when is the best time to visit?

Posted on October 4, 2008 - Filed Under Travel

The River Thames in London is tidal from Teddington through the city
and down to the mouth where it enters the sea. The tide rises and falls
due to the rotation of the earth and gravitational pull of the moon

e River Thames in London is tidal from Teddington through the city
and down to the mouth where it enters the sea. The tide rises and falls
due to the rotation of the earth and gravitational pull of the moon.
Very basically the water wants to stay at the closest point to the moon
and as the World moves this causes the water to appear to move creating
a tidal flow. To us it is the sea that is moving not the World where in
reality it is a bit of both!

The tide affects the River Thames right up to the first lock at
Teddington. This means the whole of Central London and all the boats,
ships and piers move up and down as the tide comes in and out twice in
every 24hrs.

In affect the tide makes the water flow up the river twice a day
reversing the flow! This flow of water creates a rise and fall of
around 7m, however this number changes due to many factors. With 7
meters of water flowing in and out some strong currents are created
which have an affect on the river and London.

Boats are affected as when travelling with the flow of the tide they
can travel much faster than if there was no tidal flow. Similarly when
travelling against the tide they are slowed significantly. This affects
how long it takes to get to and from places. For example a , or have a disability then finding out when it is high tide
would be of huge benefit to your safety. At high tide the Thames is
towards the top of the banks and the piers where people access the
boats have almost level walkways. This is good for easily walking or
carrying/wheeling heavy goods on to the Thames river boats.
When it is low tide the access walkways to the piers become very
steeply angled due to the fact the water level can be as much as 7
meters lower than it was at high tide.

The other major affect this has on people visiting the River Thames
is that the appearance of the river is almost constantly changing. At
low tide the beaches and foreshore is exposed along with the steep
river walls. Some parts of the river foreshore are sandy beaches where
the river meanders and has deposited sand on the inside corner. Parties
have been known to be organised to take place on the beach in front of
the Royal Festival Hall.

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Tags: 24hrs, central london, closest point, disability, flow of the tide, gravitational pull, high tide, low tide, piers, pull of the moon, rise and fall, river thames, rotation of the earth, strong currents, teddington, thames river boats, tidal flow, walkways, water flow, water level

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