Welcome to Thamesreach!

Thamesreach (London) is often a holiday destination/thoroughfare for SCAdians, and we would love to meet you.

We are a small Shire (gained full status in January 1999) so don't have extensive resources, but we hope we can make you feel welcome in this part of the Known World.

The main interests in the Shire are cooking & brewing, embroidery & costume, illumination & calligraphy, dancing, singing, armoured combat and archery.

We have weekly fight practice, monthly Stitch 'n Bitch in the pub, singing practice (not in the pub), and regular local revels.

This page gives you some pointers about places to see, things to avoid, etc.

If you have any other enquiries, please contact our Seneschal or Chatelaine and we will be happy to help you.

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Accommodation

Crash space

We are a small group, so crash space is very limited - optimum conditions are one or two people, with notification about a month or so beforehand (references and contributions towards the food bill are always appreciated).

If you can't inform us ahead of time or have other problems, drop us a line anyway and we'll try and help. It never hurts to ask!

Join the Thamesreach Mailing list or contact our Chatelaine.

B&Bs

Sorry, but we don't have any personal recommendations at the moment, but you can try these sites:

"This is London" Hotel Finder 

London Bed & Breakfasts Directory

UK Youth Hostel Association

If you have been a visitor to Thamesreach, we'd love to hear your recommendations. 

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Crime

We know this makes us sound like your parents, but....keep your possessions safely with you at all times; not just to keep them from being stolen, but to keep them for being mistaken for a bomb.

Never, ever leave your handbag open or put your wallet in an unsecured coat or back pocket. Pickpockets are a major problem in central tube stations and the central city areas such as Leicester Square, Charing Cross, etc.

Museums are also good grazing grounds for thieves, especially in the cafés. Please be aware of this! We would hate you to have your holiday ruined by a missing wallet.

You will see many warnings in airports, train and Tube stations, and in public centres about leaving your bag untended.

Please take them seriously. The police and security staff will treat your unclaimed bag as a potential bomb threat.

999 is the British emergency number for the Police, Fire and Ambulance services.

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Weather

England is temperate and changeable, with warm spells in summer. July and August occasionally see humid temperatures of 26 - 30^oC (79 - 86^oF). It is often overcast and grey in the southeast, but the sunny days are truly glorious.

Winters are mild - it doesn't really drop below 0^oC (32^oF) in London - but the 'English damp' cold is quite penetrating.

The best way to cope with English weather is to bring layers. Cardigans are a lot more useful than jumpers or sweaters as they are easier to remove and can be opened. Bringing (or buying here) a small collapsible umbrella is also a good idea.

Sherlock Holmes-era 'London fog' is thankfully a thing of the past; it was actually smog, created by soot from coal-burning fires in humid conditions, and has disappeared.

We honestly can't tell you what the weather will be like during your stay, because we don't know ourselves!

Here's the offical Met office site, so you can check for yourself.

Temperature Conversion (approx.)

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Useful Stuff

Emergency - 999

Directory Inquiries - 192

London Transport Enquires - 020 7222 1234

National Rail Enquiries - 08 45 48 49 50

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Distances to other towns from London (miles)

Useful Visitors' Links

These are all offsite links.

The British Monarchy Official Website - just what it says. Info on the royal family, palaces and exhibitions.

London Tourist Board - the official tourist guide to London.

This Is London - comprehensive guide to London produced by the Evening Standard newspaper.

Time Out - London's comprehensive listings magazine. Theatre, cinema, music, eating out and events in the London area.

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