The 13th annual Tidefest Angling Championship was one of the best ever with three weights over 30lbs and quality roach showing in all four zones. Pick of the bunch was Kew which saw Andy Powell pick up his £400 winnings and the coveted Mike Martin-Davis trophy with a 33lb haul of roach and bream just pipping Jack Jones on 31.06 who had to be content with a section win. In the downstream zone, Reading & District and Drennan match man, Mike Dalziel, romped home with 31.09 of the same. Roach to close on two pounds and bream to four pounds featured in several nets. Match organiser Martin Salter from the Angling Trust said – “Old Father Thames is definitely on the up in London and these fabulous catches are proof of what now lives in the heart of our capital city.”
The 40 peg match was organised by the Angling Trust and sponsored by the Port of London Authority.
Kew, Zone A and match winner – Andy Powell – 33.00
Thank you to the Strand on the Green Association for partnering with us for #Tidefest2026
A gorgeous family fun street party bringing the community together along this beautiful stretch of the river, and benefitting local businesses
Everyone had fun, children (of all ages) trying to whack a rat, knock down cans with bean bags, bounce ping pong balls into buckets, and dress up for fab photos. We also had a childrens’ art activity, and a tombola which raised about £1000 for a local charity!
Despite a dire forecast nobody let the wind and rain dampen their spirits at this year’s Tidefest on Sunday. All the activities went ahead as planned at Kew Bridge, Barnes and Chiswick including kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, canoeing, river dipping and foreshore history walks.
Now in its 11th year Thames Tidefest is an celebration of the river whose future was in doubt until new sponsors stepped forward in the shape of the Port of London Authority (PLA). Tidefest began in 2014 as a coalition of volunteers from many river related organisations with the aim of increasing public awareness and appreciation London’s river as an environmental and recreational resource. It grew out of the desire to see a cleaner Thames with the successful Thames Tunnel Now campaign in favour of what is now the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which opened earlier this year.
Special guests included Amy Croft (Mayor of Hounslow), Ruth Cadbury MP, Andy Slaughter MP and Cllr Gabriella Giles. This year’s event also showcased the In the Drink campaign, supported by the PLA, which aims to tackle scourge of plastic pollution in the Thames.
The Tidefest Angling Championship run by the Angling Trust is London’s biggest angling competition and the catches give a good indication of the health of the river. With the Thames Tunnel now in operation intercepting sewage discharges from over 30 outfall points along the Tideway all eyes were on what the anglers could catch this year. The river fished extremely well with big catches of prime roach recorded throughout the match length in addition to dace, chub, bream, barbel, carp and even a couple of sea trout!
Lots of smaller species were collected in the nets including elvers, bass, mullet and flounder.
Hammersmith and Chiswick MP Andy Slaughter said:
“ It was great to see so many people enjoying what our local stretch of the River Thames has to offer and being able to do so safely. A lot of effort has gone into cleaning it up and reducing pollution and from what I could see of the fish being caught by the anglers and collected in the river dipping trays, we have an improving wildlife corridor running through the heart of London. It was another great day out with Tidefest and I’m extremely grateful to the PLA for coming in to support this long standing and worthwhile event.”
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury added:
‘It was good to see In The Drink at Tidefest this year. I’m fully behind the campaign to replace single use plastic cups with reusable alternatives in an effort to reduce pollution and litter in our river. This is something that the PLA also strongly supports and it’s great to have them on board. However, I think we need to consider using a cup deposit system as there are still too many reusables not being returned and clogging up street bins and pavements and then finding their way into the river.”
Emmeline Endresen, Impact and Partnerships Officer, Port of London Authority added:
“Tidefest is a wonderful local event that brings people together to celebrate the Thames and the unique role it plays in our community. As the organisation responsible for looking after the tidal river, the Port of London Authority is pleased to support Tidefest, which encourages people to explore, enjoy, and appreciate the river right on their doorstep.”
Skinny Ringmaster – boss of the circus is looking for new recruits. Come learn how to do the tricks yourself in his amazing Circus Workshop! Try juggling, plate spinning, hula hoop, diablo, flower stick, unicycle, poi poi and stilts.
With Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, History walks, River dipping and Fishing, Thames Tidefest 2025 will be a cracker !
All the activities are subsidised or free to ensure a day at the festival is in reach for every visitor or just come along and watch the events unfold and enjoy beautiful a day at beautiful Strand On The Green
September 14th 2025 from 11.00am – 4.00pm
The festival takes place along Strand On The Green near Kew Bridge Buses such as the 65, 110, 237, 267, or N65 stop at or near Kew Bridge.
he closest tube station to Kew Bridge is Chiswick Park, which is on the District line. From Kew Bridge, it’s a 21-24 minute walk to Chiswick Park station
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 12midday till 4.00pm. You can book online or just turn up on the day if you prefer. Boots are supplied. Just come on down and get dipping!
Thames foreshore expert and community archaeologist Fiona Haughey will be leading two Foreshore Walks in the afternoon at 2pm and 3pm
The mud and gravel that makes up the Thames foreshore is quite literally littered with History. Every day amazing new objects from long are found as the mighty river constantly uncovers lost and discarded items from many centuries of settlements along it’s banks. From Roman jewellery to WW2 munitions the diverse rage of archaeological items discovered where the tide goes out is quite staggering. What’s more the buildings themselves and the man made structure that keeps the Thames within it banks (most of the time!) are also full of fascinating history.
You can read an amazing article about some of the things found on the London Forshore, written by Friend of Tidefest Lara Maiklem HERE
As part of Thames Tidefest 2025 we will once again be running our 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 who knows what might be found ! If you like to attend then click the link below to book your space. The booking won’t cost anything, but we ask that you pay £5 per person in cash at the event on the day to cover costs.
Getting out on the water lets you see the Thames from a different perspective and allows you to get up close and personal with the rich diversity of flora and fauna that make London’s river their home. Our friends at Edge Paddling and the Chelsea Kayak Club will be running events for everyone to get involved.
Canoeing with Edge Paddling
Edge will run 2 1-hour Family canoe taster sessions (1-2 adults with up to 2 small children, or 1 adult with up to 2 teenagers) and a
2 hour return kayak taster session for over 18s. Full instruction provided, no previous experience necessary.
