Thames Oddities

Two London obsessives go fishing in the Thames for unusual, evocative and poignant tales from the river's past.

Westminster guide Peter Berthoud and Londonist editor Matt Brown share their favourite stories from the history of the Thames. Drawing on original photographs and rare and previously unseen archive material, the pair highlight some of the more surprising episodes from the river's past, before inviting you to share your own Thames trivia in the Q&A section. You'll never look at the river in the same way again.

Matt Brown explores and writes about London for a living. He's edited Londonist for the past eight years, but estimates it'll take him another 50 years to learn a half of one percent of London's history.

Pete Berthoud spends most of his time studying and sharing aspects of London’s history as a guide, speaker and writer. He collects, others might say hoards, London books, maps, images and ephemera. His spare time is largely spent visiting London pubs and gardens with his infinitely patient fiancée.