Gallions Reach History

 Did you know?

Gallions Reach is a stretch of the River Thames between Woolwich and Thamesmead. The area is named after the Galyons, a 14th-century family who owned property along this stretch of the river.

Additionally, the area found Hollywoodian acclaim in Stanley Kubrick's film Full Metal Jacket and the James Bond epic For Your Eyes Only,  however, Gallions Reach is still waiting for our Oscar.

About the river...

The Thames is one of the most iconic rivers in the UK, with a rich vein of historical and cultural landmarks moored across its banks.

Besides the rich history of Gallions Reach, it's also home to a fantastic and diverse array of species.

Willy, the Whale

The River Thames whale, affectionately nicknamed Willy by Londoners, was a juvenile female northern bottlenose whale which was discovered swimming in the River Thames in central London on Friday 20 January 2006.

Minke whales are the smallest of the great whales, growing to about 33ft (10m), and are usually found throughout the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Besides the Minke, other whales have been found in the river, and we imagine many more will make the trip to see the Big Smoke! Like the Cachalot (Sperm Whale), the northern bottlenose whale, a young Humpback Whale and a beluga whale.

Other amazing animals that call the Thames home...