Thames Tidefest will be held on September 4th 2022 and brings a host of free and low cost fun for all the family to enjoy on and around the Thames at Chiswick in London.
There’s lots to do for the family that’s absolutely free, including River dipping, Circus skills and stalls, plus lots to see such as the sailing race, fishing match and the RNLI lifeboat. Full details HERE
The Chelsea Kayak Club is London’s friendly sea kayaking club. They are based at Brentford Boating Arch at Kew Bridge so they are a perfect partner for Thames Tidefest !
On September 4th 2022 they will be running 1hr 30 minute Sea Kayaking taster session for just £10 per person on the beautiful River Thames. If you fancy a go then this is the perfect opportunity and also a great way to find out if you might be interested in joining the club and getting involved with all their activities. BOOK NOW as their are limited places (see below)
Each session includes some tuition followed by a paddle in a single sea kayaks.
OVER 18’s ONLY
We suggest wearing sports clothing and shoes that can get wet. 8 places available per session. Session timings:
*. 10.15 – 12noon
· 12noon – 1.30pm
· 1.45-3.15pm
· 3.30-5pm
Participants should be over 18 years of age, be able to swim 50 metres and come changed ready to paddle.
If these CKC taster sessions are fully booked it is possible to book sea kayaking taster sessions on Thames on (the previous day) Sat 3rd September here
The summer is here and it won’t be long before Thames Tidefest is underway once again on September 4th. Book Your tickets NOW before they are all snapped up !
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Paddle Sports
You could try your hand at Kayaking, Canoeing, Sea Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddleboarding..just head over to our booking page for details HERE
Guided Walks & Adventures
From archaeology and history to secret islands and rock legends our selection of guided walks and adventures will fascinate and thrill get your tickets booked NOW on our booking page HERE
River Cruises
Everyone loves a boat trip and our have amazing low prices and brilliant guides and historic boats ! Book NOW on the booking page HERE
FREE events and activities
Some of our activities don’t need to be booked and are absolutely free ! Find out more HERE
The summer is here and it won’t be long before Thames Tidefest is underway once again on September 4th. Book Your tickets NOW before they are all snapped up !
1662282000
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Thames Tidefest
Paddle Sports
You could try your hand at Kayaking, Canoeing, Sea Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddleboarding..just head over to our booking page for details HERE
Guided Walks & Adventures
From archaeology and history to secret islands and rock legends our selection of guided walks and adventures will fascinate and thrill get your tickets booked NOW on our booking page HERE
River Cruises
Everyone loves a boat trip and our have amazing low prices and brilliant guides and historic boats ! Book NOW on the booking page HERE
FREE events and activities
Some of our activities don’t need to be booked and are absolutely free ! Find out more HERE
Helping people explore the River Thames and it’s amazing history is an integral part of the Thames Tidefest experience and this year is no different. We have some amazing guided walks and adventures for you to enjoy !
All our walks and adventures are listed on this page, so scroll right to the bottom to see the full choice.
Olivers Island Tours
A Unique opportunity to explore a secret Thames island !
Come and explore a secret island that is in full view as you walk along the towpath and yet out of sight. Oliver’s island is shrouded in mystery as well as trees and yet was a very important participant in the trading along the Thames over the past few hundred years. Come and see the view from its banks, explore its history both ancient and more recent, and hear about its environmental importance.
Your guide for the day will be local archaeologist Dr Fiona Haughey who will be leading 5 x 30 minute tours at:
9.00am
9.30am
10.00am
10.30am
11.00am
Meeting Point is the ramp By Kew Rail Bridge by Strand on the Green Sailing Club (between the City Barge and Bull’s Head pubs)
No children under 16 or unaccompanied minors.
Access to the island is by boat and steep steps and the surface is very uneven so it is not suitable for those with mobility issues and sensible footwear is important.
Transport to the island provided by Strand on the Green sailing club.
Twickenham Riverside Heritage Walk and Visit to the Eel Pie Island Museum
Fantastic history tour and museum visit
Meet up at the Eel Pie Island Museum which covers the early careers of Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Bowie, Genesis and many other 1960’s stars and their links to the island. Staff will be on hand to talk about the exhibits.
Then setting off on your fully illustrated walk along Twickenham’s historic Arcadian riverside. Some of your stops along the way: Church St in the heart of the riverside village, the Embankment overlooking Eel Pie Island, Twickenham’s very own Naked Ladies, the 17th century White Swan Pub (time for a pint later!), and Orleans House Gallery, home to the borough’s art collection.
Twickenham’s very own Naked Ladies have quite a story !
Your walk will finish on the riverside opposite Ham House, next to Hammertons Ferry.
Participants are then welcome to return to the museum at any time during the day (the museum closes at 6pm).
Meet up at the award-winning Eel Pie Island Museum in central Twickenham
Meeting Point is Eel Pie Island Museum. 1-3 Richmond Road Twickenham TW1 3AB
Strand on The Green Foreshore Walk (Archaeology & History)
The highly popular Thames Foreshore guided walks will led by local archaeologist Dr Fiona Haughey who has worked on the Thames foreshore since 1993. Come along a witness the living history of London’s river.
Meeting point: head of the new river stairs by Kew bridge upstream side (off the Kew Bridge piazza)
Timings: Ist walk 14.30-15.30 2nd walk 16.00-17.00
Each group maximum number 20 in total. No unaccompanied children. Suitable for children aged 7yrs upwards, not any younger. Not suitable for those with mobility issues – steps, uneven underfoot, muddy areas. Suitable footgear for an uneven, muddy environment ie trainers/wellies/stout shoes. Gloves will be provided
(Only those able to show a PLA permit will be allowed to take anything away from the foreshore)
One of the brilliant things about Thames Tidefest is the atmosphere that is generated around Kew Bridge and Strand On The Green during the event. It’s absolutely joyful !
There are a whole host of stalls set up with free events and things of interest including The Zooligical Society of London, The Environment Agency and The RNLI . Plus there are free events to get involved with too, including Circus Skills workshops, River Dipping and much, much more. We will keep updating this page as we get more attractions confirmed.
So Get the date in your diary now and make sure you are down at Strand On The Green on September 12th or you will miss out on all the fun !
Thames TideFest will be back in Chiswick for its fourth year on Sunday 10th September 2017. This hugely popular community event requires months of planning and co-ordination between charities, businesses and Thames boroughs. The team at Chiswick Buzz caught up with the organisers during their meeting at One Over The Ait pub to find out what the festival has to offer this year.
CLICK THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE VIDEO
For more about Thames Tidefest and the events that will make 10th September so special click HERE
Visitors to this year’s TideFest on 20th September will be able to benefit from discounted or free access to three great West London attractions by simply turning up with a TideFest programme or mentioning TideFest when booking. The discounts are available at the popular London Wetland Centre in Barnes and the award winning London Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford whilst Thames Water have agreed to open the doors to their internationally important wetland nature reserve at Kempton.
TideFest is a new River Thames event which took place for the first time last year on World Rivers Day to highlight the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners. TideFest 2015 takes place on September 20th at Chiswick, Kew, Brentford, Barnes, Isleworth and at other locations along the Thames Tideway. TideFest is organized by river and wildlife organisations and is part of the Totally Thames Festival and is sponsored by Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water.
Discounts at the London Wetland Centre
London Wetland Centre nature reserve is a haven for birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles, with six hides, kids’ adventure zones and cafés.
Nestled in a loop of the Thames, London Wetland Centre is an urban oasis for wildlife and people; a rural idyll in the heart of the capital. It is perfect for a relaxing stroll along the paths that meander among the lakes, meadows and gardens.
A 20% discount will be offered on the standard admission fee of £12.75, and all other tickets, for Sept 20th when mentioning TideFest or presenting a programme.
London Wetland Centre nature reserve is a haven for birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles
Discounts at the London Museum of Water & Steam
London Museum of Water & Steam is home to magnificent collection of steam pumping engines and tells the history of London’s water supply. This great little museum by Kew Bridge is offering a special Sept 20th package where all kids go free and adults can have a special £8.00 rate, instead of £11.50, if quoting Tidefest or presenting a Tidefest programme.
London Museum of Water & Steam is home to magnificent collection of steam pumping engines.
Kempton Nature Reserve Community Day
Kempton Nature Reserve will be opening its doors free of charge to the community to come and explore this internationally important 20-hectare wetland nature reserve in West London.
The site has deep-water areas with reed fringes, extensive areas of gravel and mud attractive to wading birds, a network of channels and islands for safe nesting refuges.
On offer during the open day will be a range of interactive activities to explore the biodiversity of the wetlands and the need to conserve it.
There will also be a mini bio-blitz with species surveys focused on aquatic habitats and guided birdwatching walks, suitable for adults as well as children.
Kempton Nature Reserve is haven for wildlife such as this beautiful Sedge Warbler.
TideFest Organiser, Martin Salter of the Angling Trust said: “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners we are able to offer a great range of activities either free of charge or at substantially discounted rates at this year’s TideFest. We want to encourage people to appreciate the wildlife, history and recreational potential of the Thames Tideway and the surrounding area and create a genuine celebration of all that the river has to offer.”
1.Venue Details
London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT. Opens: 9.30am – 6pm
London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 OEN. Opens: 11am – 4pm
Wildlife organisations, river and environmental groups and community associations have this week announced plans for a second, bigger TideFest to be held on the Tidal Thames in London on September 20th.
TideFest is a new River Thames event which took place for the first time last year on World Rivers Day to highlight the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners. TideFest 2015 takes place at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and at other locations along the Thames Tideway. TideFest is proud to be a partner of Totally Thames and to be supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition, Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water.
A wide range of activities have been planned from 10am – 6pm for Sunday 20th September including:
Stand Up Paddleboarding. Organised by Active 360 with pre-booked sessions from 11am for those new to paddleboarding, an Eco tour from Kew to Hammersmith and an evening river tour to Richmond. There will be a race at Strand on the Green at 4.30pm.
Kayak Taster Sessions by Edge Paddling where newcomers can simply turn up from 11am and try kayaking with qualified coaches.
A day out at Thames Water’s Kempton Nature Reserve – an internationally important wetland habitat with great bird life. From 10am to 5pm visitors will be able explore these urban wetlands of London through interactive activities for children, aquatic habitat species surveys and guided birdwatching walks.
A whole range of community activities and displays will be available at the Strand on the Green. The marquees on the riverside embankment will host displays on the Thames Tideway, historical artefacts collected by local archivists, painting by local artists, children’s activities and an information point with material available from environmental and wildlife groups and the Port of London Authority.
The charity Get Hooked on Fishing will be holding a series of fun, angling related activities on the foreshore aimed at children and newcomers to the sport from 10am to 4pm.
The prestigious Thames Tideway Angling Championship takes place from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Strand on the Green and Barnes. 50 top anglers from across the UK will be taking part and spectators are welcome.
On the Foreshore there will be children’s activities including river dipping, water testing and games designed to explain and increase understanding of what’s going on in the river run by the environmental charity Thames21. A series of highly informative Archaeological Walks and tour of Oliver’s Island will be held in the afternoon from 12 noon onwards at Strand on the Green.
The London Wildlife Trust is once again offering people a rare chance to visit their nature reserve on Isleworth Ait. (Further details to be announced)
At 6pm the SoTG Sailing Club hold their annual TideFest Challenge Trophy competition. Spectators welcome.
The River Thames Society is organising four one hour boat trips around the Tideway islands leaving from Kew Pier on the historic Thames launch the Windrush. Guided commentary included. Trips leave at 11am, 12.15, 1.30 and 2.45 (advance booking required)
TideFest organiser Martin Salter from the Angling Trust said:
“This is an event that keeps on growing and which aims to help reconnect Londoners with their river. The Thames holds 120 different species of fish and is home to a tremendous array of birds and other wildlife yet far too few people are aware of what an amazing resource we have on our doorsteps. With work on the Thames Tunnel about to commence we can look forward to a brighter future for this great river and loads more opportunities for people to enjoy what it has to offer.”
Debbie Leach, Chief Executive of Thames21 said: “There are great opportunities to use and enjoy the River Thames, to learn about it and understand what it provides for London, for nature and for the community. As the Thames becomes cleaner, these opportunities will only grow and Tidefest is the perfect day for us all to celebrate this.”
Gordon Scorer, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust added:
“It’s good to see all the groups who’ve been working so hard for a cleaner Thames coming together to celebrate the importance of London’s river and promoting the fantastic recreational and wildlife opportunities that are here right in the heart of this great city.”
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Tideway Tunnels and Thames Water all the activities are either free or offered at a substantially reduced rate. Check website or Facebook page at http://thamestidefest.net/ or http://www.facebook.com/thamestidefest for details where advanced booking is required.
