Home Inspiration Blog Friday Fun Fact: an island hideout on the Thames

You are not logged in. Log in / Register

Friday Fun Fact: an island hideout on the Thames

By Sophia Wood-Burgess

View latest articles

By

Did you know January is National Walk Your Dog Month? One of many fantastic London walks is from Kew Bridge Station to Hammersmith, along a picturesque stretch of the Thames. On your way, you'll see a leafy little island in the river by Kew Bridge, Oliver's Island, which is the subject of local lore.

Photograph: The Dutch House at Strand on the Green by Maxwell Hamilton | CC BY | Flickr

Kew to Hammersmith is a lovely walk for a sunny afternoon. There are a lot of historic pubs and notable architecture to explore, because Chiswick was once renowned for growing barley and the nearby Royal Palace at Kew inspired a lot of 18th and 19th century mansions along the river. And then there is, of course, Oliver's Island.

We've starred Oliver's Island, as well as our other Friday Fun Fact locations, on an interactive map: Google My Maps.

Oliver’s Island is a small strip of tree-topped land where, according to myth, Oliver Cromwell took refuge from the Cavaliers during the English Civil War. They say, Cromwell had a secret tunnel built from the island to nearby Bull’s Head Pub, where he supposedly established a headquarters, so that he could escape to the island if necessary. It's an interesting local tale, but no evidence of a tunnel has been found.

Photo: Bull's Head by Geoff Henson | CC BY ND | Flickr

The Bull’s Head Pub from the story is a gorgeous Grade II listed pub along the river. Records can confirm it has at least been in business as a licensed pub since at least 1722, and there has been an inn on site for over 400 years. While it’s been lovingly renovated, it still contains that ancient charm. It’s in one of Chiswick’s historic villages, Strand-on-the-Green, which is now a conservation area.

Photograph: Oliver's Island from Strand on the Green by Maxwell Hamilton | CC BY | Flickr

The story of Oliver’s Island also has a happy ending. It once held a tollbooth, once had a smithy to service barges and once was used as a depot for derelict vessels, but now it’s blanketed end-to-end in verdant trees. The National Wildlife Trust and Port of London Authority maintain the island as an oasis for birds, rare molluscs, bats and native trees.

View all articles or sign up for our monthly newsletter

Area guide Foxtons news Lifestyle Local stories

How much is your property worth?

Get your property valued by a local expert

Get a valuation

X

How much is your property worth?

Get your property valued by a local expert

Get a valuation

How much is your property worth?

Get your property valued by a local expert

Get a valuation

Unlock the true value of your home

Lettings & Property Management

Explore news articles, area guides and interior design trends

Setting the standard in estate agency

We combine best-in-class people and technology to set the standard for service in estate agency

Find your nearest office

Our Services

Setting the standard in estate agency

Our services
Find tenants
Property Management
Specialist services
Short lets
Help being a landlord
Help & Guides
Buy to Let Mortgages
Property inspiration
Blog
Interior Design
Local life
Area guides
Schools
Let's get social