Active Thames

Whether a short stroll down to the riverside or a longer walk to see one of London’s four UNESCO-listed world heritage sites, the Thames Path National Trail provides a wealth of opportunities to explore the upper tidal Thames, central London or the wider estuary’s wildlife. Find walking routes Enjoy walks, explore hidden gems and visit amazing places on foot. Discover our walking routes now. Go Jauntly is a free walking and wellness app that brings you happiness outdoors.

The PLA’s partnership programme, Active Thames, encourages more people to get active on or by the tidal Thames and inland waterways. Tideway’s new funding marks the year when the new infrastructure starts to clean up the river, and is in addition to the £150,000 of Active Thames grants awarded to 23 projects across London, Kent and Essex in January this year. Active Thames covers a wide range of activities including sailing, paddle sports, rowing and walking, from West London to Southend-on-Sea.

Like our better-known green spaces, the 95 miles of “blue” space offered by the tidal Thames can be a place for sport and relaxation, benefitting people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Active Thames helps communities make the most of this blue space, opening the river to a more diverse range of river users. Most of the funding is directed towards projects engaging people who are less likely to be active, including people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, London Sport, British Canoeing, British Rowing, RYA, Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and PLA are working in partnership to support growth, diversity and inclusion. You can find a copy of their partnership agreement and shared objectives  at the bottom of this page. Find out more about Active Thames. About the Fund The Active Thames Fund supports growth in watersports and use of the Thames Path National Trail.

Eleven years ago, Paul Archer never set out to build a sports club. “My son lost his sight 18 years ago,” Paul says, “but I knew I wanted him to remain involved with sports, especially as a PE teacher.” The sports coach hired a local hall and started researching activities his son could participate in. Soon after, other children with disabilities were keen to join Paul’s group.

“My daughter was apprehensive at first,” a mother reveals to senior sailing instructor Nathan Hudson about her daughter’s first time sailing. “By the end of the session she came up to me and said, ‘When can we come again?’” The mother and instructor are standing outside Herne Bay Sailing Club looking out over the shingle beach.

Having celebrated their 75th platinum anniversary in 2021, Chelmsford Canoe Club are ramping up their beginners intake by providing sessions with new sit-on-top kayaks. The easy to use and beginner-friendly kayaks aims to instil confidence within new members and tackle the club’s lengthy waiting list. The new boats have been purchased through a grant of £4,671 by Active Thames.

Situated within the peaceful green of Danson Park – previously voted the best park in London – lies an adventure centre busier than ever. The joyful squeals and splashes of water arising from both adults and children alike visiting Danson Park Adventures is electric. It is a sound which centre manager Megan Gately undeniably loves. Megan oversees the implementation of the centre’s activities which includes kayaking, canoeing, bell boating, paddleboarding and dinghy sailing.

A West London charity are breaking down the barriers by offering free, inclusive kayaking sessions in an effort to engage disadvantaged young people with London’s waterways. London Sports Trust, established in 2002, aims to inspire positive change for young people through sport by enhancing life skills and improving health, wellbeing and employment prospects of vulnerable children and teenagers.

“How many people can say they’ve seen three seals on the Thames this year?” sixteen-year-old rower Molly Knot asks. The teenager joined Gravesend Rowing Club two years ago, having been introduced to the sport through her school’s PE curriculum. “It’s a very different sport,” she says. “I decided to continue after my school’s Learn to Row course because it’s unique and I enjoy it.” It also made her feel strong: “You get very good leg muscles!” she laughs.