Richmond to Twickenham and a visit to see EEL Pie Island Artists

Come with me on this enjoyable walk along the River Thames from Richmond to Twickenham and a real treat going to one of the few open days of the EEL Pie Island Artists and visiting their studios.

{No-one is quite sure how Eel Pie island got its name! "Pie" from the old term for "rock"? The actual pies made from plentiful eels in the upper Thames? A corruption of "Ile De Paix" from the time of Henry VIII? Take your pick.

The post-war history of the island is most notable for the struggling Victorian hotel's re-purposing as a rock 'n' roll music venue by the inspirational Arthur Chisnall.

In the 1960's and early 70's the Eel Pie Hotel and its sprung dancefloor played host to the Yardbirds, the Who, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Genesis among others.

The decrepit building met a fiery end in 1971 and is today modernist housing but the spirit lives on.
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Today, the island is home to the only working boatyard on the tidal Thames and river craft of all types come here for maintenance.

It recovered from another devastating fire in 1996 and the bohemian quarter containing a variety of artist studios continues to thrive here.

This determinedly quirky fragment of creative London flourishes mid-river, at a time when such character is fading from the immaculate corporate city}.

We will meet at 10.45 am for a hot drink at Butterbeans {this is less than 1 mins walk from Richmond station}.

After our hot drink at 11.15 am we will to start our walk.to Twickenham Riverside { as image above} and the EEL Pie Island Artists.

After our visit we can have our sandwiches, or have a latest lunch at The William Webb Ellis Pub {Wetherspoons} or any of the other pubs and cafes in Twickenham.

With Twickenham Railway station less than 5 minutes walk away.

£7 meet up fee on arrival {please have the right amount}

If you have a knee problem or walk slow this meet up is not for you.

Further information contact me on 07530 675739 {this is not a smart phone}.

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