Tag Archives: festival

2023 activities

Free Events

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 ! Plus you don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the event as there are loads of free attractions and stalls.

River Dipping

Find out for yourself some of the amazing creatures that live in the river with our fantastic river dipping sessions run by Thames 21This is always a hugely popular activity is suitable for both adults and families with children.  These will be walk up sessions from 11am till 4.00pm. No need to book and boots are supplied. Just come on down and get dipping !

What’s In The River ?

If you don’t fancy grabbing a net yourself then…..The Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) will be giving demonstrations of seine netting and displays of their catches from the slipway adjacent to Kew Bridge and Strand on the Green from around 11.30am onwards. A small stand with fish tanks and educational material will be in the Thames 21 marquee from 11am to 5pm Come along and find out what is living in the Thames Tideway.

Watch the boats go by !

There’s always something happening on the water and Tidefest is a great time to head to the shore and see some of the amazing craft that use the Thames as a highway

Fishing Competition

Angling Competition Weigh-in from 3.30pmCome and see the amazing range of fish that live in the tidal Thames. 40 top anglers will be competing in this year’s Thames Tidefest Angling Championship. You can watch them catch all sorts of amazing fish. Fishing takes place : Four hours from 9am – 1pm   (depending on tide height) 

The weigh in is from 1pm and the prize giving at Strand on the Green at 2.30pm 

Thames Artefacts

The River Thames contains a living history of human life in the area over the many previous thousand years including the last Ice Age. It acts as self- excavating trench exposing where our ancesters have lived, what they ate  and wore, as well as tracing the changes through the prehistoric periods to modern day.   Evidence of this can often be seen on the modern foreshore, which is twice a day exposed to view. Come and see some of the range of the finds uncovered with Thames archaeologist,  Dr Fiona Haughey. Artefacts dating from the last ice age, through prehistory, the brief Roman period as well as times up to the present period (artefacts of the future!) will be on display.  Come and hold a piece of history in your hand!!!

2023 activities

Stand Up Paddleboarding at Tidefest

Paddlesports have always been an integral part of the Thames Tidefest experience.Active 360 will be running their amazing Paddleboarding experiences once again !Paddle board experts Active 360 be offering some amazing trips for all the family – details below.

Costs and Timings:

10.00 – 11.30 – Paddle and Pick (14yrs+) – A 90 minute paddle and litter pick around the local islands Brentford and Lots Ait. We provide all equipment including litter pickers. 

12.00 – 14.30 – Thames Natural History tour (14yrs+) – A guided SUP trip learning about the history and ecology of the Thames and its fascinating wildlife. We provide coaching and guiding and all equipment required. 

12.00 – 14.30 – Group SUP session (16yrs+) – An open group lesson with the tide both ways heading down to Barnes and back. Suitable for all levels. 

12.30 – 13.45 – Family Taster SUP trip (11yrs+) – A shorter group trip with the tide both ways heading up past Olivers Island. Suitable for groups and individuals of all abilities. 

15.45 – 17.45 – Group SUP session (16yrs+) – An open group lesson with the tide both ways heading up to London apprentice Old Isleworth and back on the flood tide and returning on the ebb passing the last remaining water meadows on the Tidal Thames.  

Booking is via the Active 360 website HERE

News

Tidefest 2023 is back on Sunday 17th September

Thames Tidefest aims to celebrate London’s river and has been running since 2014. Despite a reduction in our sponsorship we are pleased to announce a smaller scale event for this year at Strand on the Green, Chiswick on Sunday 17th September from 10am to 5pm.    The following events are taking place:   –   River Dipping with Thames 21 (free)

  • Seine Netting with the IFM. (free)
  • The annual angling competition (tickets from www.anglingtrust.net)
  • A display of Thames foreshore artefact discoveries (free)
  • A Stand Up Paddle boarding with Active 360 including a paddle and pick clean up event and a Natural History Tour plus a clean up of the foreshore around the Kew Bridge Drawdock. (tickets from https://active360.co.uk/)
Programme

Tidefest Offers an amazing array of events and experiences !

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

Our paid for events start at just £5 a ticket and include amazing island adventures, guided walks, river cruises, paddle sports taster session and much more. For full details see our just click the links.

2022 activities

Have a go at Sea Kayaking !

1 Comment

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.

SOLD OUT

2023 activities

Free events and fun for all the family

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 ! Plus you don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the event as there are loads of free attractions and stalls.

1694941200

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Thames Tidefest 2023

River Dipping

Find out for yourself some of the amazing creatures that live in the river with our fantastic river dipping sessions run by Thames 21

This is always a hugely popular activity is suitable for both adults and families with children.  These will be walk up sessions from 11am till 4.00pm. No need to book and boots are supplied. Just come on down and get dipping !

What’s In The River ?

If you don’t fancy grabbing a net yourself then…..

The Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) will be giving demonstrations of seine netting and displays of their catches from the slipway adjacent to Kew Bridge and Strand on the Green from around 11.30am onwards. A small stand with fish tanks and educational material will be in the Thames 21 marquee from 11am to 5pm Come along and find out what is living in the Thames Tideway.

Watch the boats go by !

There’s always something happening on the water and Tidefest is a great time to head to the shore and see some of the amazing craft that use the Thames as a highway

Fishing Competition

Angling Competition Weigh-in from 3.30pm

Come and see the amazing range of fish that live in the tidal Thames. 40 top anglers will be competing in this year’s Thames Tidefest Angling Championship. You can watch them catch all sorts of amazing fish. Fishing takes place : Four hours from 9am – 1pm   (depending on tide height) 

The weigh in is from 1pm and the prize giving at Strand on the Green at 2.30pm

Thames Artefacts

The River Thames contains a living history of human life in the area over the many previous thousand years including the last Ice Age. It acts as self- excavating trench exposing where our ancesters have lived, what they ate  and wore, as well as tracing the changes through the prehistoric periods to modern day.   Evidence of this can often be seen on the modern foreshore, which is twice a day exposed to view. Come and see some of the range of the finds uncovered with Thames archaeologist,  Dr Fiona Haughey. Artefacts dating from the last ice age, through prehistory, the brief Roman period as well as times up to the present period (artefacts of the future!) will be on display.  Come and hold a piece of history in your hand!!!

Programme

Tidefest 2022 Activities Tickets Go On Sale

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

Programme

Tidefest Activities Tickets Go On Sale !

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

2022 activities

Guided Walks and Adventures ! Book Here

2 Comments

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.

Sensible, waterproof footwear is recommended.

Cost £10 plus booking fee

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

Walks at 11.30am 1.30pm and 3.30pm

Max 18 people per walk

Cost £8 + booking fee.

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)

£5 per ticket. (plus booking fee)