Did you know January is National Walk Your Dog Month? One of many fantastic London walks is from Kew Bridge Station to Hammersmith, along a picturesque stretch of the Thames. On your way, you'll see a leafy little island in the river by Kew Bridge, Oliver's Island, which is the subject of local lore.
Kew to Hammersmith is a lovely walk for a sunny afternoon. There are a lot of historic pubs and notable architecture to explore, because Chiswick was once renowned for growing barley and the nearby Royal Palace at Kew inspired a lot of 18th and 19th century mansions along the river. And then there is, of course, Oliver's Island.
We've starred Oliver's Island, as well as our other Friday Fun Fact locations, on an interactive map: Google My Maps.
Oliver’s Island is a small strip of tree-topped land where, according to myth, Oliver Cromwell took refuge from the Cavaliers during the English Civil War. They say, Cromwell had a secret tunnel built from the island to nearby Bull’s Head Pub, where he supposedly established a headquarters, so that he could escape to the island if necessary. It's an interesting local tale, but no evidence of a tunnel has been found.
Photo: Bull's Head by Geoff Henson | CC BY ND | Flickr
The Bull’s Head Pub from the story is a gorgeous Grade II listed pub along the river. Records can confirm it has at least been in business as a licensed pub since at least 1722, and there has been an inn on site for over 400 years. While it’s been lovingly renovated, it still contains that ancient charm. It’s in one of Chiswick’s historic villages, Strand-on-the-Green, which is now a conservation area.
The story of Oliver’s Island also has a happy ending. It once held a tollbooth, once had a smithy to service barges and once was used as a depot for derelict vessels, but now it’s blanketed end-to-end in verdant trees. The National Wildlife Trust and Port of London Authority maintain the island as an oasis for birds, rare molluscs, bats and native trees.