Last Updated on 7 December, 2022
Just when think you know all there is to know about London, you are thrown a curve ball. That is exactly what this post is about. Did you know that there are islands in the Thames in London? Yep, you read that right.
Sit back as we take you exploring some of the little-known islands in London. Be sure to add these to your London itinerary when planning a trip to London.
Cool Islands In The Thames River That You Need To Visit
Thames River has a number of islands, many of which are inhibited too. Don’t worry, if you cannot get to all of them. You can attempt to see some of them from high staying in some of London’s hotels with Thames River views.
You can also do this via some of the river cruises in London.
Brentford Ait
Brentford Ait, located in the UK, measures 1.956 acres from eastward, 2.616 acres longer, and has the same width. This uninhabited island has no building on the bank of the Thames with tideways in London, England.
It is run by the London Borough of Richmond and the Port of London authority. In the 18th century, it had many inhabitants. The main building had a notorious pub named Three Swans. Many royal princes and princesses met in this pub for bumpy and jumpy gatherings to hold up their lust for each other.
But these days, this island is cultivating many tourists to experience the feel of Robinson Crusoe and simultaneously hunt for wildlife and nature. So nowadays, amid the willow trees and heron’s garden, many travelers peep into this island to get the essence of nature dwelling in their mood.
While you are in the area don’t forget to check out Richmond Park.
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Frog Island
This small uninhabited island is located in Rainham, London. This is a peninsula on the north bank of the River Thames in Rainham, London. It is used for vehicle storage in Ferry Lane Industrial Estate and for the mechanical biological treatment works building of the East London Waste Authority.
Lot’s Ait
Lot’s Ait is a river island in the Thames stretched over a 1.724-acre area. The island falls in the London Borough of Hounslow near Brentford. The Ait has a slim distinction from the downstream and bigger Brentford Ait. Lot’s Ait contains grassland and trees like basket willows widely used for furniture, cart-making, basketry, and cattle fodder.
Once upon a time, this island was known by the name Barbel island and was renowned as a delicate area for fishing. With natural willows, rusting dock roofs, and rotting boats, it’s a heaven for wildlife species. In 2002, this island went for sale with a leisure facility, a restaurant, and boat storage.
Eel Pie Island
This large island was once called Twickenham Ait or ‘the Parish Ayte.’ People say it is one of the largest islands in London’s stretch that resides on the bank of the Thames, which partially lies between the riverside lands of ham and Twickenham.
Many people considered it as a place for marchy, with many churches built by the kings living after that. Later, it was called a courting ground during the reign of Henry IV.
The total area of this Eel Pie island is 8.935 acres. It was famous as a club meant for Jazz and Blues in 1960. In the 17th century, the place attracted many day-trippers who came to make small gatherings with family and picnics with friends.
Later, people used to enjoy the most delicious pies made by the naughty eels of the locals and served at the White Cross Public House.
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Channels Island
If it comes to Channels Island, it’s an artificial piece of splendor nestled at the heart of East London’s Channels River. It is located in the London Borough of Newham, close to Three Mills Island. During the 12th century, there was an Abbey Mill where Channelsea Island is today.
In 1996, the Abbey Mills Riverine Centre Trustees purchased this island to form a mixed-use development centered around a big mosque. Channels Island has stood untouched for several years and is considered a paradise for wildlife.
Isle of Dogs
In the north of the meandering Thames River, this small region of London of 800 acres is known as the Isle of Dogs. It is a small peninsula with many inhabitants and historically part of a manor, hamlet, and later named the Stepney marsh.
However, it has a severe historical background too. It was so named because its former marshland king Henry VIII kept his royal dogs on this peninsula. Since then, it has been called the Isle of Dogs by the natives.
The demographic condition of this island is acceptable to live for, and historically, its geographical location is treated as an ideal place for trade. Many warehouses of the East India Company are located here to upgrade trading in the 19th century. But you will not see these warehouses when you visit the area now.
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Trowlock Island
Among the islands of the Thames, Trowlock Island is an inlet where people have residences. It is 450 meters far from Teddington Lock. The island houses 29 bungalows, including the gym and clubhouses of the Royal Canoe Club. It is around 535 meters long and has a path across its middle portion with housing on both sides.
This island obtained its name from the word Trow, a type of barge weighing 50 to 60 tons on average. Like other islands that the Thames embraces, this has also seen significant changes in shape, as it was three different islets on 1746’s map of John Rocque.
Glover’s Island
Also known as Petersham Ait, Glover’s Island is located at the Horse Reach of the tidal Thames, nestling between Teddington Lock and Richmond Lock. Above mean high water springs, the islet, covered with trees, envelops 0.536 acres of area. Glover’s Island is a renowned traveling destination for visitors from across the country.
In 1872, Joseph Glover, a rich waterman from the Richmond area, bought this island for £70, valued at around £7,000 in 2021. The first attempt to sell this island happened in 1895.
But, at that time, Chanter Mayor of Richmond, Sir J. Whittaker Ellis, rejected to purchase it for £5,000. So, Joseph Glover tried again in 1898 when, putting it in an auction, he recommended this island for erecting a massive advertising hoarding of Pears soap.
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Tagg’s Island
Tagg’s Island is another island on the Thames, located in the London Borough of Richmond. Visitors can find this inhabited island above Ash Island. There’s a lake connected to the river on the island and even a small footbridge. Private mornings surrounded by a series of trees are also there.
The island got its current name from a boat builder named Thomas Tagg. Formerly, it was also known as Kent’s Ait and Walnut Tree Ait. Thomas Tagg hired boats in 1841 and built a hotel named Thames Hotel on the island.
Tagg’s Island was celebrated as a venue for the high society of the country, the Prince of Wales, and others.
Oliver’s Island
A scenic, tree-covered, and 0.9 acres long island on the River Thames is Oliver’s Island. It is located in the London Borough of Hounslow, keeping its face towards Strands-on-the-Green and Kew. Oliver’s Island is a property of the Port of London Authority.
It is blessed with a covering of thick woodlands. Hence, it’s a natural habitation for species like Canada geese, cormorants, and herons. A century after the English Civil War ended, this island was known as Strand Ayt.
According to a story, it acquired its current name with the incident of Oliver Cromwell taking refuge in it. However, facts validating such stories haven’t surfaced yet.
Chiswick Eyot
Encompassing a 3.266-acre area, Chiswick Eyot is an uninhabited and narrow island in the Thames. The eyot positions itself beside the Championship Course.
During high tides, the small craft can go through between Chiswick Mall and Chiswick Eyot for around two hours. Besides, during low tides, individuals can walk towards the tidal island, although many discourage people from doing so.
Chiswick Eyot is one of the 43 tidal islands without any bridges, endowing possibilities to be walked through from the mainland of Great Britain. It is 3.266 acres long and was owned by the rectory of Chiswick and Ecclesiastical Commissioners till 1934.
It was the year when its possession came to the local council. Currently, it’s Great London’s local nature reserve.
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Corporation Island
Corporation Island is yet another small-sized island nestled quietly in the river Thames. It falls between the Richmond Railway Bridge and Richmond Bridge, where the Richmond waterfront scene appears magnetizing.
Formerly recognized as Richmond Ait, this island derived the contemporary name from its owner, the Corporation of Richmond, which currently goes by the London Borough of Richmond.
It envelops a prolific affluence of woodland, populated with weeping willow, crack willow, white willow, and hybrid black poplar. In addition, Corporation Island is a serene nesting place for a grey heron’s colony, as, in 2016, it had 12 active nests.
Steven’s Ait
Steven’s Ait or Steven’s Eyot island is a narrow island nestled at the Royal Borough of Kingston in the river Thames. The boating area of Kingston Rowing Club falls at the right, opposite its southern tip, while the island is located around 660m below Kingston Railway Bridge.
In a map of 1896, this island was mentioned as Tathim’s Island, and another ordinance survey map appearing in 1875 showed that it encompasses four different islets.
The name of this London island is on the family name of a boatman living in the Canbury Gardens area today. A non-profit motor boat club, Small Boat Club, uses this island as its base.
Swan Island
Swan Island stays awaked on the waters of the Thames as a private mooring island. It is located in the London Borough of Richmond at Twickenham. Alongside the residential mooring for the boats, this London island also contains a commercial boatyard.
The island is below and 1.2 km north of Teddington Lock. You will find Twickenham bank connected with a small bridge here. The bridge is adequate for foot traffic and vehicles too. Ordinance Survey maps of 1897 and 1898 portrayed this osier bed a 1/4 acre wide.
Map of Islands In London
