The river banks
It is customary practice for river banks to be refered to as "left" and "right" as if travelling down stream.

However the banks of the River Thames have always taken the names of the counties in which they were formerly located since the river itself formed the boundary.

Thus the left bank is termed the Middlesex bank as far as Bow Creek and the right bank is termed the Surrey Bank as far as Thamesmead. Thereafter the banks are known as the Essex Bank and the Kent Bank respectively.

The terms North and South are only approximate and in some cases are obviously confusing since they are strictly inaccurate.

The term South Bank is used, but is normally only accepted to mean that part of the Surrey Bank which lies between Lambeth and Tower Bridges.

The Tideway pages are maintained by John Kennett
Comments, corrections and additions are always welcome