All posts by John Cheyne

What's On

Thames River Cruises for a fiver !

Thames Tidefest is London’s Family River Festival which brings together a whole host of amazing events on September 8th. As part of the festival we offer two amazing River Thames cruises that highlight the beauty and history of the river. More details below !

The beauty of the River Thames and the Knowledge of Peter Finch..what a great trip !

A Guided return boat trip from Kew Pier to Chiswick Pier aboard the Thames Discoverer + visit to the Chiswick RNLI station

Join Peter Finch – chairman of the River Thames Society and an authority on the river, aboard the magnificent Thames Discoverer launch. Peter will point out and illuminate landmarks throughout the trip.

At Chiswick Pier, you will see and hear about the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, their boat and the equipment they use. The RNLI at Chiswick is a working lifeboat Station. If they have to respond to an emergency on the day, and are not available, Peter Finch will take you on a short walk to explore the delights of old historic Chiswick.

Then back to the boat for the return trip to Kew Bridge.

Tickets just £5*

*plus booking fee

Cruises on “The Windrush” are a real  highlight.

River Thames Islands Cruise on the historic Windrush

Take a boat trip along the Thames. The River Thames Society is organising four boat trips – each an hour long – around the Thames Tideway islands, leaving from Kew Pier on the historic Thames launch the “Windrush”. Guided commentary is included. (Advance booking is essential as these trips sell out quickly)

The Windrush will leave Kew Pier at 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm

12 places per trip

£10 per person*

*Plus booking fee

Book Now !

Watersports & Paddlesports

Find out how to get involved with our Watersports and Paddlesports events!

 

 

Edge Progressive Paddling

Come and have a 30minute kayak/canoe taster session

Edge Progressive Paddling are a membership club run by volunteers for the local community who will be organising a set of multi boat paddling sessions on the Thames near Kew Bridge. They have many types of boat and vessels and their qualified and experienced Level 1 and Level 2 coaches will make sure you get the right one for your session! Wear light clothing and old pair of trainers or shoes. Meet Kew Bridge Arches, Strand on the Green, W4 3NG

No booking required, walk in and sign up 11.00 – 15.00

Boats, paddles and lifejackets provided. Please arrive 15 minutes early to get kitted up.

All participants must be able to swim to the riverbank wearing a lifejacket

Tidefest-4610

 

Stand-Up Paddleboarding Taster Session with Active 360

Try your hand at Stand-Up Paddleboarding at an amazing reduced price.

This stand up paddleboard session is suitable for beginners and adults of all abilities and ages. You will need to be able to swim and be confident in the water. Certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.

You’ll be sharing your instructor/s, but you’ll be sure to meet some interesting people to add to the experience. The session will start with a safety briefing and some land-based training before heading out on the water for a short guided tour. You’ll be able to ask for technique advice and tips along the way. Don’t be shy!

SIGN UP HERE

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Tidefest Stand-Up Paddleboarding Group Trip

Join us for a Paddleboarding session at the Tidefest foreshore festival. Tidefest is an annual celebration of the River Thames and all it has to offer so there will be lots of other activities and entertainment for you to enjoy before and after your session.

The session will start with some land-based training at Kew Bridge, before heading out on the river and being gently taken by the tide. We will pass some of West London’s most iconic sites and when the tide turns we will be taken back to Kew Bridge with the tide.

*How far we get depends on the conditions on the day.

This stand up paddleboard session is suitable for beginners and adults of all abilities and ages. You will need to be able to swim and be confident in the water. Certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.

You’ll be sharing your instructor/s, but you’ll be sure to meet some interesting people to add to the experience. The session will start with a safety briefing and some land-based training before heading out on the water for a guided tour. You’ll be able to ask for technique advice and tips along the way.

SIGN UP HERE

 

Uncategorized

Boat Trips & Cruises

Below you will find links to buy tickets for our Boat Trips & Cruises !

 

River Thames Islands Cruise on the historic ‘Windrush’: Take a boat trip along the Thames. Guided commentary included.                                Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - River Thames Islands Cruise on the historic MV Windrush

The beauty of the River Thames and the Knowledge of Peter Finch..what a great trip !

A Guided return boat trip from Kew Pier to Chiswick Pier aboard the Thames Discoverer and visit to the Chiswick RNLI station: Join Peter Finch – chairman of the River Thames Society and an authority on the river, aboard the magnificent Thames Discoverer launch. Peter will point out and illuminate landmarks throughout the trip.                            Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Guided Boat Trip on the Thames Discoverer

Booking activities

Walks, Tours and Riverside Adventures

Below you will find links to buy tickets for our Walks, Tours and Riverside Adventures !

Oliver’s Island

Olivers Island Adventure: Take a kayak trip to a secret Thames Island ! Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Olivers Island Adventure

“Mudlark” explorer walk: Discover our ancient and not so ancient past that is hidden in the mud, with Thames Mudlark Lara Maiklem. Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Strand on the Green 'Mudlark Explorer' Walk

Bird-watching Walks with Andrew Peel of RSPB: Whether you are an expert or a raw beginner you will love these bird-watching walks. Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Birdwatching Walks

walk in the footsteps of Jagger and Clapton

Talk & Walk at the Eel Pie Island Museum: A 20 minute guided tour of the place that helped launch the careers of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and more British Rock Royalty.     Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Talk & Walk at the Eel Pie Island Museum

Photography Walk with Jon Perry: No matter what your skill level, bring along you camera and Jon will get you taking better photos in no time ! Click the button below for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Photography Walk

Lots Ait Historic Boatyard Tour: Find out the amazing history of this hidden Thames boatyard that was used as a set for filming “The African Queen”. Click the button for more info and tickets

Eventbrite - Tour of Historic Lots Ait Boatyard

Thames Wildlife Walk with London Wildlife Trust:

Walk the foreshore and surrounding green spaces,hear about the animals that share the river with Londoners. Learn to identify some of the colourful dragonflies and interesting plant species. This wildlife walk will be led by one of the Trust’s dragonfly experts, and will reflect on a variety of plant and animal species that can be regularly seen on the Thames, as well as some of the rarer or secretive ones. Tickets are Free but must be applied for using the link below where you will also find full details.

 

 

Guided Bird & Nature Walks Around Kempton Nature Reserve

Kempton Nature Reserve is a 50 acre wetland site, and used to be an operational reservoir. It is now a site of Special Scientific interest for wetland birds such as gadwall and shoveler. Walk the circular paths and uncover the wildlife gems with local wildlife experts. In spring and summer the reserve’s main lake, meadows, ponds and woodlands comes alive with butterflies and dragonflies. You might see swifts, a common sandpiper, little grebe or if you are lucky a kingfisher or a sparrowhaw. The walks will last 1.5hrs and you will be guided by local experts. Walks will start at 9.30am and 11.30am. To book please email jane.clarke@thameswater.co.uk

Family Nature Trail at Kempton Nature Reserve

find the answers to the wildlife quiz, and use a magnifying glass to uncover wonderful mini-beasts. Follow the circular path through the reserve’s beautiful habitats to find the answers to the nature quiz. The Trial will be open between 1pm and 5pm and admission is free but booking is required. To book please email jane.clarke@thameswater.co.uk

 

Creekside Low Tide Walk: A guided adventure for adults and accompanied children ages 9+ in Deptford Creek. Wade in a wild river and experience a different perspective of London history and urban wildlife.Led by our conservationist with 30 years’ experience, we guarantee you some good, clean, muddy fun! Expeditions last about two hours and advance booking is essential to secure a place. Participants need to be reasonably fit as you will be walking on the bed of a wild river. We provide waders, a waterproof and a walking stick and suggest you wear old clothes. Click the button for more info and tickets

What's On

Live Music Line Up a Big Part of Tidefest

What could be better than a glorious day by the River Thames, a spot of lunch and some free Live Music at Thames Tidefest!

Come on Down to Tidefest at Strand On The Green Chiswick on September 6th 2020 and enjoy a wealth of musical entertainment for FREE !

MUSIC LINE UP

 

Our musical line up has not yet been announced for 2020, but here is a sample of the acts that graced the stage at Tidefest in 2019 to get you in the mood !

Duffy & Bird

Folk/Americana duo Duffy & Bird are Tricia Duffy on lead vocals and Al Bird on vocals/guitar. The duo’s blend of vocals with Duffy’s warmth and clarity creates a beautiful and emotive harmonic effect that is coupled with Al’s sensitive acoustic guitar. Betraying Al’s roots in rock, their songs combine fluid vocals with cleverly precise guitar arrangements.

Chansongs Trio

Ealing based, vocal-led, cosmopolitan group Chansongs Trio offer a celebratory repertoire of French and American Jazz to soothe your soul.

Olive+Alex

Olive+Alex is a collaborative project between Chiswick based Olivia McShane and St Margret’s Alex Bloomfield. The duo compose and produce their music together in McShane’s home studio, joining us at Thames Tidefest for their first acoustic set they will offer a selection of original songs and covers.

Saffron

Saffron is a local 16 year old singer/songwriter currently studying at the BRIT school. She comes from a very musical family and has been playing gigs all over London since she was 11, she loves performing to live audiences and trying out her new songs. Joining us at Thames Tidefest she will be singing a mixture of her own songs as well as her versions of some of her idols.

 

 

Book Now !

Buy Tickets

2 Comments

While it’s free to attend Thames Tidefest 2019 at Strand On The Green, we also organise a wide range of ticketed events and attractions including waterpsorts activities, guided walks, boat trips and riverside adventures.

Tickets are now on sale, but be quick, they sell out fast !

Just click the link to the type of event you are interested in.

Walks, Tours and Riverside Adventures

Boat Trips and Cruises

Watersports and Paddlesports

Talks and Films

Programme

Free Events

2 Comments

It’s absolutely Free to come along to Strand On The Green and enjoy the day by the river at Thames Tidefest 2019. There will be music from four different acts throughout the day, a huge variety of stalls, lots of kids activities and above all a chance to enjoy our beautiful river !

Here is a taste of what will be on offer

Foreshore and River Exploration.

Come along and try river dipping with Thames 21. They’ll also be water testing and counting the micro plastics in a sample from the river.

Alongside this will be seine netting supervised by the Institute of Fisheries management to show what is living in the Thames. Their catches will be on display before being released back into the Thames.

Meanwhile on the stalls The Environment Agency and ZSL will have a fish tank displaying live fish from the river.

A whole range of free, family-friendly activities and displays will be available at the Strand-on-the-Green. Marquees on the riverside embankment will host displays, children’s activities and games, stalls run by river and environmental groups. Play the safety game with the PLA or make clay seed bombs to take home with the Thames Water group.

MUSIC !! Duffy and Bird will be hosting an expanded programme of live music featuring at least 4 different bands throughout the day.

FREE Events at Kempton Nature Reserve

Guided Bird & Nature Walks Around Kempton Nature Reserve

Kempton Nature Reserve is a 50 acre wetland site, and used to be an operational reservoir. It is now a site of Special Scientific interest for wetland birds such as gadwall and shoveler. Walk the circular paths and uncover the wildlife gems with local wildlife experts. In spring and summer the reserve’s main lake, meadows, ponds and woodlands comes alive with butterflies and dragonflies. You might see swifts, a common sandpiper, little grebe or if you are lucky a kingfisher or a sparrowhaw. The walks will last 1.5hrs and you will be guided by local experts. Walks will start at 9.30am and 11.30am. To book please email jane.clarke@thameswater.co.uk

Family Nature Trail at Kempton Nature Reserve

find the answers to the wildlife quiz, and use a magnifying glass to uncover wonderful mini-beasts. Follow the circular path through the reserve’s beautiful habitats to find the answers to the nature quiz. The Trial will be open between 1pm and 5pm and admission is free but booking is required. To book please email jane.clarke@thameswater.co.uk

Thames Wildlife Walk with London Wildlife Trust:

Walk the foreshore and surrounding green spaces,hear about the animals that share the river with Londoners. Learn to identify some of the colourful dragonflies and interesting plant species. This wildlife walk will be led by one of the Trust’s dragonfly experts, and will reflect on a variety of plant and animal species that can be regularly seen on the Thames, as well as some of the rarer or secretive ones. Tickets are Free but must be applied for using the link below where you will also find full details.

News

Paddlesports at Tidefest

Paddlesports are an essential part of the Tidfest experience, Kayaking, Canoeing and stand up paddleboarding all feature and the sessions are either free of low cost..It’s a brilliant opportunity to take to the water. Full details of paddlesports in 2020 coming soon !

Various paddlesports have always been a huge part of Tidefest and it’s a brilliant opportunity for absolute novices to try their hand.

 

 

What's On

Special Discounts & Offers

We have managed to twist a few arms and have come up with the following terrific deals for anyone who get’s a Tidefest Programme from our stand at Strand On The Green during the festival.

The London Museum of Water & Steam

are offering this very generous deal..

“Show us your Tidefest flyer on September 8th for 50% off day tickets at London Museum of Water & Steam, where you can ride our locomotive and learn about how the water gets from Thames to tap. Families can help us recreate the Thames as a giant collage, play at the outdoor Splash Zone and follow our indoor trail, while learning all about how London used water from the Thames to grow the country’s capital city.”

You can find out more about the London Museum of Water & Steam HERE

The Musical Museum

The Musical Museum is home to a wonderful collection of self-playing musical instruments. From tiny music boxes to the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ in the concert hall, you can learn about the history of music reproduction, and hear an impressive array of self-playing pianos, orchestrions, pipe organs, violin players, gramophones & synthesizers. The museum’s theatre space hosts a variety of concerts, films and dances throughout the year, 

​

Located near Kew Bridge, Brentford,  Their popular café has views over the river.

Come along with a Thames Tidefest Programme and get 50% discount on admittance prices on September 8th.

Programme

Tidefest Angling Championship

Thames Tidefest Angling Competition

50 peg Open – £1000 prize money plus pools and trophy

Sunday September 8th. 11.30am to 4.30pm – draw 8.30am

Strand on the Green, Kew Bridge London W4 3RE

We will be fishing three zones; the gravel foreshore downstream of Kew Bridge on the north bank, and below Chiswick road bridge and Barnes railway bridge on the south. In all sections there are large shoals of roach, dace and bream. Waders are essential and wading up to thigh depth is allowed within the confines of your peg. All species can be weighed in except eels.

Book your place now

Ron’s Tackle, 465 Upper Richmond Rd West, London SW14 7PU tel: 020 8876 4897

Tackle Up – 151 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 3PD. tel 01252 616129

Or email sandra.johnson@anglingtrust.net to book tickets online or tel: 0115 822 4532

Cost: £20 all in – £15 pools plus £5 ticket – proceeds to Get Hooked on Fishing

Prizes: 1st place – £600; 2nd – £350; 3rd – £200; 4th – £100. Plus £50 per 5 peg section