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In a nutshell, Eel Pie Island is a “quaint, artsy island with music history”, and it’s one of the oddest places we’ve visited in London.
It has been on our list of places to visit for a long time, partly because there’s too much to do in London and not enough time to do it, and partly because access is restricted.
Eel Pie Island has a mild, mysterious allure because it’s a private island, and you can’t simply walk on it unless you have some connection to it.
So, like us, you have to wait for the odd open day to see the wonderful world of Eel Pie Island and its magical mystery boatyard, full of artists and creators.
The island typically opens twice a year: once in summer (usually in July) and once in winter (usually in December).
Why is it called Eel Pie Island?
The short answer is that no one knows why. The name is believed to originate from the eel pies served by the local inn in the 19th century, but it will likely remain a mystery.
What’s Eel Pie Island famous for?
Today, its mysterious allure and artists draw crowds, but back in the day, its music scene and hippie commune put it on the map.
In a bygone era, the island was known for its role in the 1960s music scene. The Eel Pie Island Hotel, built in the 1830s, became a hotspot for jazz and blues musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
It hosted performances by iconic bands and artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, and Rod Stewart, cementing the island’s status as a cultural landmark in British rock and roll history.
In 1969, a group of hippies took over the hotel, which later became the UK’s largest hippie commune. However, it didn’t last long; the commune ended after a fire destroyed the hotel in 1971.
If you’d like to learn more about the island’s history, the Eel Pie Island Museum in Twickenham is worth a visit for just a few quid.
What’s on Eel Pie Island now?
First and foremost, the island is home to around 50 dwellings. Beyond housing, there’s a rowing club, a yacht club, and a working boatyard.
Your visit will take you to the boatyard, the highlight, where you will find over 20 resident makers, craftspeople, and artists.
Interestingly, the boatyard is the only working boatyard on the tidal Thames.
You can also access the rowing club, where you’ll find food and drink options and stalls selling bits and pieces, such as antiques and curiosities.
Aside from the things mentioned above, you’ll find loads of weird things dotted about, like a house with an ice cream on its roof and a dinosaur sticking out of the side, and mannequins all over the place, with and without plants growing out of their necks and in strange stress positions.
Resident Artists Studios
On the island, you’ll find all sorts of different types of artists, including cartoonists, fine artists, painters, potters, printmakers, mosaic makers and sculptors.
There’s plenty of stuff on offer to buy, too, should you want to take a piece of the island away with you. Perhaps you could commission your own artwork or take a lesson in sculpting or pottery.
Lots of the studios are pretty cosy, and if you fancy missing the crowds, we recommend getting there early when it’s a bit quieter—it can get pretty rammed!
Visit Eel Pie Island
Eel Pie Island is open only on a few weekends each year. Check the Eel Pie Island Artists website for the latest available open days.
To get to the island, there’s a footbridge from the north bank of the Thames, accessible from Twickenham.
💷 Free
🕙 See the website above for open weekends
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