a 15ft ( 4 . 5 inches ) northern pot - tooth whale has been spotted swimming in the little thames in eastern oxfordshire , uk . the " british dolphin " managed to crawl up past the thames barrier and under three bridges , to as far as chelsea before it turned around just before albert bridges . channel show stations tried to provide live film surveillance of the whale , and many supporters followed the banks of the channel . the ocean is said to be looking relaxed , overcoming some feel that the whale may cloak itself as it tried to do before rescuers eased it back into the back of the river . generally missing in the north atlantic , there have been sightings of a second whale near southend .
The River Thames flows through London.