In this title, bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a
captivating journey out of London along the banks of the River Thames to discover the secrets and stories
of England's most famous waterway. Discover the Thames' literary heritage at Pangbourne, near Reading,
famous as the home of The Wind in the Willows' Kenneth Grahame, then explore Mapledurham House,
the inspiration for its famous Toad Hall. Explore Henley-on-Thames, where the first Oxford and
Cambridge boat races were held, then marvel at Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the
world. As he follows the river from source to sea, visiting its towns, villages and places of
interest, Winn unearths a fascinating array of facts, folklore, landmarks and legends that are
guaranteed to have you exclaiming 'I Never Knew That!'. Illustrated with line drawings,
this charming gem of a book is guaranteed to inform and delight in equal measure.
I Never Knew That...
* The first person in Britain to own a motor car lived by the Thames at Datchet
* The Thames Path is the longest riverside walk in Europe
* The man who fired the first shot at the Battle of Waterloo lies in the churchyard at Clifton Hampden