River Thames

Mary heads off down the Thames - from the gentle, calm waters of the non-tidal Thames to the fast-flowing, choppy banks in central London. Mary explores the hidden gems of this iconic river, stopping for delicious food along the way.

Mary’s journey starts with the Henley Rowing Club, where she is recruited as their cox. To feed her breathless team, Mary rustles up some delicious mixed bean and butternut squash wraps. Next, a vessel skippered by royal waterman Jonathan Hunt ferries Mary to The Waterside Inn - the world-famous, three-Michelin-star restaurant run by the Roux family - where Mary is in for a real, comforting treat. But this luxury is replaced with hard work when Mary finds herself at the helm, steering the harbour master’s patrol boat into the heart of the capital.

Right in the centre of the city, Mary discovers an oasis floating on the Thames when she meets an established river community who have turned their barges into gardens teaming with fruit and veg. Mary’s maritime exploits inspire her wonderful Thai salmon, her sustaining warm chicken and dill salad, and two blissful puds - a refreshing lemon tart and a decadent toffee and pear pudding.