History of the River Thames Visitor Centre

This is only one of many environmental problems, but it clearly shows that the purpose of a River Thames Visitor Centre must be to place priority on producing a holistic environmental management for the entire River Thames and especially in that part, which is still a Marine Coastline, the Tideway; from Teddington to the North Sea. This would both help the Thames itself and also its appreciation, as people could get involved and wisely and productively bring one of history's greatest Rivers back to life.

When I first considered the idea of a River Thames Visitor Centre, I thought that the most difficult thing would be to find an appropriate Thames Lighter, find a suitable location, establish its design, construct a major steel structure and write and develop an exhibition. All the things required to make a wonderful River facility, one Richmond upon Thames, would be proud of.

In all, it has taken from April 1993 to Oct 2006 to complete the Centre and during that time, I have come to understand, that if all river projects suffer these same problems, the Thames will have a long development, huge co-ordination period and a large delays on every project. Is this acceptable? This River Centre over the next few years will develop into a comprehensive resource base for anyone interested in the River Thames, but much more, it will become a vital source of information and an advisory body for all those who want to use it.

From imagination to reality in 2005

I would like to thank all those who have supported the RTVC's development, notably the Port of London Authority, The Mayor of London, The Crown Commissioners, The Environment Agency, Richmond Councillors, residents of Northumberland Place and all well wishers. So enjoy what we have achieved so far. The River Thames Visitor Centre has pioneered the idea of the River Centre. Use this Discovery Centre to learn more about the Thames and the environment as a whole. Use its facilities, eat, drink and be merry and get involved, as the Centre cannot grow without you.

The Curator