England . London . Tourist Boat. River Thames. Editorial Photo

The marks of human activity, in some cases dating back to Pre-Roman Britain, are visible at various points along the river. These include a variety of structures connected with use of the river, such as navigations, bridges and watermills, as well as prehistoric burial mounds. A major maritime route is formed for much of its length for shipping and supplies: through the Port of London for international trade, internally along its length and by its connection to the British canal system. The river`s position has put it at the centre of many events in British history, leading to it being described by John Burns as `liquid history`.