We are always looking to promote London, and Totally Thames is a fascinating insight in to the Thames, the river that is the main artery of this city. Events include live art and performances, mud-larking, foreshore walks and talks, the Great River Race and the smallest queer bar in the world. We get the chance to delve into the muddy world of the river with a series of mudlarking and foreshore events. We even get to enjoy some events that are on the water!
Clean Thames Challenge runs throughout September
At various locations.
Individuals and groups can join in in a variety of ways, all to improve the health and aesthetic look of the Thames. Members of the public can sign up to receive a free litter-picking kit. Upon completion of the challenge (and submission of the Clean Thames Challenge Litter Survey), participants are entered in to a prize draw to win a kayaking trip for two with London Kayak Company or a Stand-Up Paddleboarding trip for two with Active360.
Hulked Edith May, Sept 7
Thames Barge, West Quay, Katherine’s Dock, 50 Katherine’s Way, London E1W 1LA
All aboard the sailing barge for an hour of enlivening storytelling and original folk music, exploring the history of the Thames barges.
Sing for Water and Kids’ Choir raising money for WaterAid, Sept 15
The Scoop at More, London SE1 2AA
Another joyous concert at The Scoop. Kids’ Choir is a heart-warming choral performance of over 400 children from primary schools across London. They will perform a wonderful collection of songs conducted by the renowned Richard Frostick.
Mimi Munro presents River’s Songs, Sept 28
Theatreship, South Quay Plaza, London E14 9SH
An unforgettable choir workshop on the Theatreship followed by a performance on board a Thames Clipper.
Mudlark and artist Nicola White: A journey of discovery along the River Thames, Sept 4
London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB
Telling the tales of forgotten people and places through her mudlarking finds on September 4. From Tudor Inns to Georgian taverns and soldiers to sailors, find out what secrets have emerged from the mud of the Thames. Working alongside the London Metropolitan Archives with their wealth of photos, maps and other resources, the past comes to life!
Mudlarking Exhibition in the Roman Amphitheatre, August 31 – September 1
Roman Amphitheatre, Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, London, EC2V 5AE
Visitors travel back in time and can enjoy the rare chance to see and touch personal items lost by Romans who lived in London over 1,600 years ago. Roman artefacts recovered from the Thames by mudlarks are on display. They tell the story of Roman life in Londinium.
Mudlarking Exhibition in St Paul’s Cathedral , Sept 14 – 15
Travel back in time to the Middle Ages and see the personal belongings of medieval Londoners, including items lost by people fleeing across the river from the Great Fire of London.
Take Guided Foreshore Tours with the Thames Explorer Trust on the Sept 21 – 22
Walk in the footsteps of mudlarks and discover history with the experts.
Mudlarking Masterclass with Steve Brooker, Sept 7
Thames Foreshore on Isle of Dogs.
Mudlarking Weekend with the Museum of London Docklands, Sept 28 – 29
Thousands of historic artefacts recovered from the muddy riverbed will be revealed as you meet the mudlarks who found them. This interactive exhibition provides a unique opportunity to hear from mudlarks and hold history in your hands. Further mudlarking talks and events will take place throughout September, including a Flint Knapping Masterclass with mudlark Alan Murphy.
One In One Out Canary Wharf’s Smallest Gay Bar, Sept 5 & 7
Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Crossrail Place, London E14 5AB
One In One Out by Lucy Hayhoe is a playful and intimate installation that invites audiences to experience a mini queer night out in just five minutes! This tiny queer bar in Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place Roof Garden asks what is the role of the gay bar in London’s future? The landscape of queer London is always changing, from the queer history of London’s docks to the recent closures of queer nightlife spaces. For two days, One In One Out explores nostalgia for lost queer scenes, the consumption of queer space, and what it means to be queer and alone.
Willy Does presents Get Your Ducks in a Row, Sept 26
Theatreship, South Quay Plaza, London E14 9SH
Willy Does presents a climate crisis cabaret-game show, Get Your Ducks in a Row. With comedy, drag, games and more, it’s the end of times, and the audience are having one last hurrah.
St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival, Sept 7 – 8
This festival has over 40 beautiful vintage boats, including historic tugs, a Royal Navy vessel and Dunkirk Little Ships.
Tideway Boat Tour, Sept 19
Learn about the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel and see the new public spaces along the river.
The Great River Race, Sept 21
Bringing together 300 boats in a fundraising race from Millwall to Ham Lands, which can be viewed for free at any point along the course. Thames Day, which coincides with World Rivers Day on September 22, will be held on the riverside in the City of London in front of the Church of St Magnus the Martyr at London Bridge.
The day features an exciting programme of free activities for the whole family. Take a cruise on the Sailing Barge Will, a classic Thames Barge from 1925 – and the largest spritsail Thames Sailing Barge ever built at just under 100 feet long and 100 feet tall. Join a Foreshore Clean Up to help clean up the Queenhithe Dock and Wharf, facilitated by Thames 21, who work hand-in-hand with local communities to improve and maintain our waterways. Don’t miss Cod Choir’s deep-sea fishermen choir perform terrible sea shanties and cheesy fish jokes, bringing delight – and pure nautical nonsense – to all who find them.
Kids will love Woodland Tribe, a fun play-build workshop that allows them to build and play on a huge boat they have built themselves.
The London All-Star Steel Band is an authentic, multi-award-winning steel band founded by Mr Frank Rollock, playing music for everyone to enjoy on Thames Day. Organisations participating include The RNLI, Ahoy Centre, and the Port of London Authority. Thames Day is produced in partnership with Destination City, a City of London Corporation programme, as part of Totally Thames.
Totally Thames full programme of events is at https://totallythames.org
