Eel Pie Island

Eel Pie Island has a unique and historically rich location. Situated just above the river's only lock on the Tideway, the island is accessible by boat or via footbridge from the north bank. Once renowned for its jazz and blues scene in the 1960s, Eel Pie Island has a storied past.

Originally known as the Parish Ait and later Twickenham Ait, the island’s name is thought to have originated from the eel pies served at a local inn during the 19th century. Historically, it comprised three parts, each elevated above high water, as depicted on a 1607 map. By 1743, an inn had established itself on the island, becoming a popular stop for steamer excursions in the 19th century. A new inn, constructed in 1830, replaced the old one, described as a “dingy wooden cottage” or an “unassuming but popular little barn.”

Samuel Lewis's 1848 national gazetteer highlights the island, then known as Twickenham Ait, as a favoured spot for refreshments and recreation, particularly for water parties and fishing enthusiasts. The old inn was replaced in 1830 with a spacious building featuring an assembly room.

Detailed maps from the late 19th century reveal the island divided into two distinct sections. The western part featured a boat house, the Island Hotel, a bowling green, and the Thames Electric & Steam Launch Works. The eastern part was marked by marshland and was prone to flooding. These sections combined to form the island as it is known today.

A bridge proposal was made in 1889, but it was not until 1957 that the first bridge to the island was constructed. The Eel Pie Island Hotel, originally a genteel 19th-century establishment, became a vibrant venue for ballroom dancing in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1956, trumpeter Brian Rutland initiated jazz sessions there, later continued by Arthur Chisnall, featuring renowned bands and artists such as Long John Baldry, Acker Bilk, and The Rolling Stones.

In 1967, the hotel closed due to repair costs, before briefly reopening in 1969 as Colonel Barefoot's Rock Garden, showcasing performances by bands like Black Sabbath and Genesis. However, this venture was short-lived. By 1970, the island had become the UK's largest hippie commune under the Eel Pie Island Commune, but it faced decline and eventual demolition orders. The original hotel was destroyed by fire in 1971.

The island suffered further damage in subsequent years, with a major fire in 1996 and damage to the footbridge in 1997. A new footbridge was opened in August 1998.

Today, Eel Pie Island has approximately 50 residences, 120 inhabitants, and various small businesses and artists' studios. It boasts nature reserves at both ends, protecting it from public intrusion. The island opens its doors to the public for short periods annually, usually in June and December, allowing visitors to explore and purchase artworks from the Eel Pie Island Art Studios. It also hosts the Twickenham Rowing Club and Richmond Yacht Club and serves as the headquarters for Parkrun, which began in Bushy Park.