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| The Frost Fair of 1814 |
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| People cycle and walk along a frozen River Thames in London |
In 1963, the UK had one of its worst winters in living memory. It was the coldest January since 1814, when the last frost fair was celebrated. During the Great Frost of 1683–84, the worst frost recorded in England, the Thames was completely frozen for two months, with the ice reaching a thickness of 11 inches (28 cm) in London.
From 1400 into the 19th century, there were 24 winters in which the Thames was recorded to have frozen over at London: 1408, 1435, 1506, 1514, 1537, 1565, 1595, 1608, 1621, 1635, 1649, 1655, 1663, 1666, 1677, 1684, 1695, 1709, 1716, 1740, 1768, 1776, 1785, 1788, 1795, and 1814.
During the period known as the Little Ice Age, between the 15th century and early 19th century, the river froze over. During that time the British winter was more severe than now, and the river was wider and slower.
