History of the River Thames Visitor Centre

In 1993 the River Thames Visitor Centre was a new idea, conceived, developed and presented to all the major statutory bodies. The River Thames Visitor Centre is the original and the conceptual lead for providing Environmental Information about the River Thames. It is a permanent River Resource Centre and an Advisory point for those wishing to enjoy the River Thames. It has developed the notion that the River, from Source to Sea, can provide a case study into Environmental Management and a valuable education resource. With other centres proposed in the future, it is crucial that their development follow the principles of using Qualified Environmental Experts to co-ordinate research and present the needs of the River. To this end the RTVC hopes to assist any other River Centre's development in the future.

From imagination to pencil in 1997

It may surprise most people that the history and development of the River Thames Visitor Centre, RTVC, mirrors the way the River Thames has evolved over the past 50 years. In the same way as you would have imagined that a simple and wonderful idea like having an Information Resource Centre dedicated to London's most important environmental asset, The River Thames, would have been incredibly easy to develop, it has however been subjected to the same indecision, neglect and apathy as the Thames itself.