Where is the Source of the River Thames?

The River Thames is London's lifeblood, and it's simply impossible to imagine the city without it.

But where exactly is the source of the Thames? Where does it originate?

The answer to that question has been the subject of debate for many centuries, and there are three main contenders for the crown- each of which we shall be exploring in this video, as we head deep into the beautiful Cotswolds...

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Chapters

00:00 Intro
02:21 Kemble Bridge
05:36 Trewsbury Mead
09:51 Seven Springs
12:47 Ullenwood
15:43 Outro

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Links for this video:

Tourist information for the Cotswolds

The Thames Head Inn

Leckhampton Hill information

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Credits

Images:

Thames Head Wharf historical image: Kemble & Ewen Parish Council

Dry Trewsbury Mead: Google (Bite Me, via Google Streetview)

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Music:

Swans in Flight (Asher Fulero)

Soul and Mind (E’s Jammy Jams)

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[richardhumphreys]

About sixty years ago, Michael Bentine in his show 'It's a Square World', went in search of the source of the Thames and traced it to a dripping tap somewhere in the Cotswolds. He turned the tap off and the river completely dried up with views of the empty river by the Palace of Westminster and Tower Bridge.

[mikenorth]

20 plus years ago I walked, what I was led to believe at that time, the length of the Thames from Trewsbury Mead to the Thames Barrier. From what you have just said - I’ve got to do it again!!!! 😂

[thewrecker]

What a beautiful, enchanting and absorbing documentary. First class as always Rob.

[jonathanpiasio]

Rob, this absolutely did not disappoint. It seems to me the most obvious answer to this age old question is the River Thames has not one single source but three. Your effort was very informative and highly appreciated. Thanks so much for the work you do.

[chrischamberlaine]

I was given a rowing boat as a gift in 1991 and to test it I rowed the Thames - source to Greenwich - solo. So I made the pilgimage across the meadows behind the Thames Head pub and took a selfie (film camera in those days) sitting beside the stone. I still have a replica of the Old Father Thames statue in my garden. As a yacht designer I then created a new type of long distance recreational sculling boat and over the next couple of years rowed the Douro, Guadiana, Mondego, Tagus, Gironde and the Loire. All source to tidal. Although I never went back to the Thames source (one can start rowing a little to the west of Lechlade where the Coln joins in) - I went on the row the Thames two more times. In '93 I 'won' the Great River Race solo at the age of 50 in another of my own designs. Still scull every day at the age of 80. Rivers are inspiring historical adventures. The oldest 'motorways'. Great video - takes me back - thanks.

[SteveMikre]

All three locations are beautiful and every effort should be made to keep them that way for future generations...

[carol]

Your presentation and research is wonderful. You hold my attention completely and I learn more from you than anyone. No waffling, interesting and informative, a massive Thank you.

[Rachel-boqg]

From its humble beginnings as a tiny trickle to its majestic flow through London. Wonderfully relaxing and informative video.

[jsa-z]

Lovely footage, gorgeous water sounds, pleasant piano music, informative words. Thank you!

[NondescriptMammal]

I'm from the U.S. and have never been to England, but this was still very pleasant to watch. I have lived near the Mississippi R. most of my life, far enough north to have visited its headwaters a number of times, and there's something special about seeing a great river like this, in places where it is still clear and pristine and unsullied by overuse.

[damianharris]

Rob’s London on tour.
Great video again. Look forward to more as always. 👍🏻

[alexritchie]

Your voice is so relaxing, and your videos are always so informative in a kind of whimsical way 😊 I've been looking into the source of the Thames myself due to my interest in the restoration of the Thames & Severn Canal, so this video is right up my street 😃 Thank you for another fantastic video 😁

[davehustwayte]

Hi Rob, Hope you are well, Thank you for another fantastic video, Great subject, Thank you

[bryan]

It strikes me that the Thames is a tributary of the Churn and they were a bit previous in naming Trewsbury as the source of the big river flowing through London..!
Brilliant work, Rob! 🙃

[traveller]

As an international student here in England, it’s a great pleasure to learn about the history of this remarkable country. Thank you!

[jilllawton]

55 years ago I went to the alledged source in the Cotswolds. It was a tiny trickle but I have never forgotten this.

[farmerpete]

According to some old mid-Victorian era photographs I have, the source of the Thames is Seven Springs. However given that 7 springs emerge at this spot, it follows that the source is further away... prossibly in Wales! And thanks for taking the time to show this to us all.

[Elderly-Marian-in-UK]

Thankyou for this. I'm born and bred in London and I've always wondered where the source of the Thames was. I'd say all three sources combined are the source, not just Shrewsbury Mead. The 3 sources feed Shrewsbury Mead, so that makes them the true sources equally. How fascinating. If I was 50 years younger I'd visit them all. But I'm too old now, I'd never cope with all the walking. Lol. So thankyou for bringing this lovely story to me. Xx

[nickgiles]

I live near Cheltenham and have often visited all of these locations plus the Devil's Chimney many times. I think that, although Seven Springs has its die hard advocates for most Trewsbury Mead is the recognised source of the Thames. In recent years( save for 2024) the lack of rainfall has meant that it was nigh on impossible to find any water at Ullenwood.

[o.aldenproductions.]

Thanks for sharing. I lived in England for a year when I was 20 years I'm 55 and I still miss it...❤