River Thames Thames Estuary), the river is subject to tidal activity from the North Sea. Before the lock was installed, the river was tidal as far as Staines, about upstream. London, capital of Roman Britain, was established on two hills, now known as Cornhill and Ludgate Hill. These provided a firm base for a trading centre at the lowest possible point on the Thames. A river crossing was built at the site of London Bridge. London Bridge is now used as the basis for published tide tables giving the times of high tide. High tide reaches Putney about 30 minutes later than
River Thames song 'Old Father Thames' was recorded by Peter Dawson at Abbey Road Studios in 1933 and by Gracie Fields five years later. Jessie Matthews sings "My river" in the 1938 film "Sailing Along", and the tune is the centrepiece of a major dance number near the end of the film. The Sex Pistols played a concert on the "Queen Elizabeth Riverboat" on 7 June 1977, the Queen's Silver Jubilee year, while sailing down the river. The choral line "(I) "(liaised)" live by the river" in the song "London Calling" by the Clash refers to the River Thames. Two songs by