PIN Eel Pie Island

Another world, another planet

Eel Pie is a compact little island on the Thames in Twickenham with a big contemporary history. After crossing the bridge you enter in a different world. This island is a place with a great story and an historic relationship with the world of art and the underground culture. It is a home for artists, small businesses, a few lucky house-holders, a boathouse, music studios, and rowing club. It although it boasts a nature reserve there is - sadly - no access to it.

History

From the early 17th century the island has attracted day-trippers, who came to picnic or fish here, and later to enjoy the famous pies that were made with locally caught eels that spawned the name of this strip of land.

The island was the site of the legendary Eel Pie Island Hotel - a famous jazz, Blues, and Rock venue in the 'sixties'. In 1967, the hotel was forced to close because the owner could not meet the £200,000 cost of repairs demanded by the local authorities and, later, the hotel was destroyed in a mysterious fire in the seventies. The Hotel was occupied by a small group of local anarchists in 1969.

By 1970 the Eel Pie Island Commune had become the UK's largest hippie commune. The spirit of revolution continued when in his 2005 television show 'How To Start Your Own Country' presenter Danny Wallace claimed to be the "Leader" of Eel Pie Island after invading the island. After a few hours, the Metropolitan Police Service forced him to give the island back.

TripTide Thoughts

The island is tiny and mostly privatised unless you are visiting on one of the open days.

How to get there

Take the 490 or H22 or R68 or R70 to York Street / Twickenham and walk for a couple of minutes and you are there.

Owner

sebastian soler

Hi I am Sebastian - a french student on an internship in London for TripTide. I love music, movies and history - and London. My Home Town is Nice in France. ...