Exzim, with the Thames from Teddington Lock down to the sea being tidal, I would guess that very little towing was done on this section.
The tide would move goods boats faster and at lower cost than towing against the tide.
The term tow path seems to be given to any road/path beside a river.
On the canals where everything was towed, most small bridges had a system where the horse would walk up a ramp and down the other side without disconnecting the tow rope.
