The Champion of the Thames is a pub in Cambridge, England located on King Street. The pub's name is due to an oarsman who won a sculling race on the Thames before moving to Cambridge in 1860. He required that all mail to him be addressed to 'The Champion of the River Thames, King Street, Cambridge'. When the house became an alehouse, this name was used. The rowing connection continues, with the "Champion of the Thames" rowing club sponsored by the pub.
The pub is mentioned in Tom Sharpe's novel Porterhouse Blue in which it is said to be character Scullion's favourite pub. Tom Sharpe changes the name to The Thames Boatman in his novel.
The Champion of the Thames is one of the smaller pubs in Cambridge and is one of The King Street Run referring to the practice of consuming one pint of beer in each pub in King Street in the quickest time.
Famous quotes containing the words champion and/or thames:
“Let’s not quibble! I’m the foe of moderation, the champion of excess. If I may lift a line from a die-hard whose identity is lost in the shuffle, “I’d rather be strongly wrong than weakly right.””
—Tallulah Bankhead (1903–1968)
“Home! Yes! she would see Trafalgar Square, again; and Nelson on his plinth; and Chelsea Bridge as it dissolved into the Thames at twilight ... and St. Paul’s, the single Amazon breast of her beloved native city.”
—Angela Carter (1940–1992)