Isleworth Town Wharf

Located just downstream from the London Apprentice, the Town Wharf pub sits directly on the riverbank, with the Thames Path running through it. This two-storey pub, designed to resemble a Swiss chalet, is a hidden gem in the Samuel Smith's chain. Unbranded and without signage from the main road, it's tucked away at the end of a quiet side street amid new office buildings and apartments. The pub's outside decking offers a picturesque view of Isleworth Ait, a teardrop-shaped island in the middle of the Thames. The pub serves only its own brand of beer, which is pleasantly affordable.

The London Aprentice

The building dates back to the early 18th century and has been recorded as a licensed inn since 1731. Overlooking Isleworth Stairs, established during Henry VIII’s reign to connect Richmond Palace with the north bank of the Thames, the pub has a rich history. It was from Isleworth Stairs that Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen, boarded the Royal Barge on July 9, 1553, to accept the throne of England, only to be imprisoned in the Tower of London nine days later.

All Saints Church

The church’s 14th-century Kentish ragstone tower and foundations are the only surviving elements from before the 20th century. Facing the Thames, the church stands where Church Street veers away from the river toward Syon Park. The parish itself dates back to pre-Norman times, with records from 1290 noting the replacement of a rector with a vicar. This vicar received an annual stipend of £2, a new robe, and daily meals at the upper table in Syon Abbey’s hall while his servant dined at the groom’s table. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, the church’s patronage passed to the trustees of St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

By the late 17th century, the church was in disrepair, leading to Sir Christopher Wren being approached to design a new structure. However, his plans were initially deemed too costly. It wasn’t until 1705, when Sir Orlando Gee of Syon Hill bequeathed £500 in his will, that funds were secured to proceed with the project, albeit with some modifications. Gee is commemorated in a marble monument by sculptor Francis Bird.

From 1760 to 1790, the church’s organist was Marmaduke Overend, a notable music theorist. In 1943, a fire started by two boys—who later also set fire to Holy Trinity Church in Hounslow—led to the church’s complete internal reconstruction using lighter materials. The interior was built in 1970 and designed by architect Michael Blee, who also worked on Douai Abbey and glazier Keith New. Despite these changes, the 15th-century stone tower was preserved. The church, a Grade II* listed building, won a Civic Trust award in 1973.