Savills Portugal

Winding through the heart of the capital, the River Thames is so much more for many Londoners than a 42-mile stretch of water. It’s the place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It's where runners congregate as they jog along the water’s edge; where friends share a drink in a historic riverside pub; and for the lucky few, it’s the place they call home.

It certainly deserves celebration and September's Totally Thames festival – a month of arts and cultural activities – does just that.

One of London’s most iconic bridges and also one of its newest, pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge opened in 2000 and offers views of some of the capital’s most famous landmarks. A leading festival attraction this year is The Ship of Tolerance, which has been 'moored' by the bridge.

In situ throughout September, the 60ft long hand-crafted wooden ship is actually an art installation created by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov who worked with primary schools, refugee groups and cultural organisations to paint its silk sails. The Ship of Tolerance is a vision of colour and those living in the historic warehouses apartments and contemporary flats lining the riverbank here may even get a bird’s eye view of it in all its glory.

For many the Thames is already their outdoor playground, but for those who haven’t yet dipped their toe in the water, Regatta London at the end of the month is a chance to have a go in a mass participation paddle sports event. Taking place on Sunday 29 September either from Hammersmith or Putney, the event will see rowers, kayakers, canoers and paddle boarders head to the river for a 14- or 12-mile course.

In fact, it’s this south-west section of the Thames which commands the highest waterfront premium of 28.4 per cent when compared with properties further inland. Grand period houses and mansion blocks sit along the shore here, a legacy of the important role the Thames played in the growth of the South West London corridor, helping areas such as Putney, Barnes, Chiswick and Richmond to become the prime residential markets they are today.

It's not just adults who can join in the fun. At London Bridge, ZSL’s virtual reality portal will allow visitors the opportunity to experience life beneath the surface. As part of its Mother Thames campaign, the experience provides the opportunity to meet the creatures that live in the river, including porpoises, seals, eels and seahorses.

The proximity of sea life is not the only draw for SE1’s residents: being able to walk to work in the City is a great advantage of living along the East waterfront – that and the unbeatable views over the river, of course.