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
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.
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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!!!
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
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 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.
RNLI stall and lifeboat
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute will be on site all day engaging with families to tell them about their work. The day will include family-oriented safety message, small quizzes surrounding water safety, education of the work of the RNLI on both The Thames and Coastal Areas, Fundraising and Retail (souvenirs).
A visit from the Chiswick Lifeboat is planned if operations allow
Sailing Race
For those who prefer their boats with sails the Strand on the Green Sailing Club will be racing for the Thames Tideway Cup starting at 3.20pm. Spectators Welcome The club races every Sunday from March till November and is keen to attract new members
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 weigh in their catches from 3.30pm on the foreshore at Strand on the Green
Draw: 7.30am Brentford Boating Arch, Kew Bridge, Strand on the Green, W4 3RE
Tides: High – 8.35am – 6.2m. Low – 3.49pm – 1.4m
Fishing: Five hours from 10.30am – 3.30pm (depending on tide height)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Thames Water activities stall
Run by Thames Water these will be free walk up sessions running throughout the day for both children and adults
Circus Skills Workshop
Will be running children’s sessions throughout the day at no charge
There’s nothing quite like stepping onto a beautiful boat and then heading off on a relaxing and fascinating guided cruise, especially on the River Thames. Treat yourself to a wonderful experience.
The Thames Islands Cruise – A Guided return boat trip from Kew Pier towards Hammersmith Bridge and back aboard Thames Discoverer.
Join Peter Finch – chairman of the River Thames Society and an authority on the river, aboard River Thames Boat Project’s beautiful 65ft river cruise boat, Thames Discoverer. Peter will point out and illuminate landmarks throughout the trip. The trip lasts approximately 1 hour.
Thames Discoverer will leave Kew Bridge Pier at 10:30am, 11:45pm, 1.00pm, 2:15pm
Amazing low price of just £12 per passenger ! (plus booking fee)
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)
Paddlesports have always been an integral part of the Thames Tidefest experience.
Active 360 will be running their amazing Paddleboarding experiences once again ! See below for details.
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.
Dr David Solomon will be signing copies of his new book A History of Fish and Fisheries of the River Thames at Thames Tidefest on September 12th. You can come and meet the author and not only will he personally sign your copy of the book, but David is giving a £5 discount to every purchase made at the event. So come along to Strand On The Green on September 12th to get your copy and have a chat with the author.
The book itself describes the fascinating history of fish in the Thames, and the development of fisheries to catch them both for food and sport. It is lavishly illustrated with old engravings, maps and photographs, and contains a wealth of anecdotes and stories that will delight the angler, natural historian, historian and fishery professional alike. The author is both a lifelong angler and a fishery scientist, and he draws on his long experience in these fields for the background and material for this book.
Interesting stories include:-
· the numbers and price of each species of local freshwater fish used to feed Thomas Cranmer, former Archbishop of Canterbury, in the days leading up to his execution in Oxford in 1556 (pike were the most expensive);
· the long history of attempts to re-introduce salmon to the river (it held good numbers until the early 19th century);
· a thriving fishery for roach at London Bridge in the 18th century, and the interesting methods used to catch them;
· huge catches of barbel in Victorian times, made by groundbaiting with thousands of worms;
· the decline of the fishery for eels using traps and weirs
· the man with a lifetime catch of more than 800 Thames trout over 3 lb (including several of more than 10 lb). Details of availability will be found at www.fluvialbooks.com
