How many of us ever stand on the actual banks of the Thames? If the weather is good, people in the South Bank area descend to the 'beach' to lark about and build sandcastles. But compared to Paris in the summer, and its man-made 'Plage', London's urban beach scene is undeveloped to say the least.
From the idyll of the west to the Isle of Dogs in the east, being at river level has its charms as this selection of images shows. Famous landmarks can be caught from new and interesting angles, while juxtaposing shingle and riverbank detritus with far-off landmarks makes for edgy images.
And stray objects — whether an arguing couple, a metal detector man or discarded furniture — all look suitably impressive in the visual context of an empty shoreline. The French can keep their pretentious city beach; viva la riverside we say.
All images courtesy of Londonist Flickr pool contributors: David Merrigan, Sophie Garrett, Tomasz Kulbowski, Oliver, Gioconda Beekman, curry15, tubb, Simon Wicks, acwozhere, Matt Avent and Stephanie Sadler.