I explored London's hidden island that's only open twice a year – it felt like a Californian escape

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

And tickets to visit are free
TREASURE ISLAND I explored London's hidden island that's only open twice a year – it felt like a Californian escape
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HIDDEN away from a bustling town centre in Zone 4 of London, I discovered an urban oasis that felt more like California than the UK.
Eel Pie Island, located in Twickenham, has an illustrious history.
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Eel Pie Island, located in Twickenham, has an illustrious history
Credit: Booking.com
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In the 19th century, it became a popular resort with steamboats and the Eel Pie Island Hotel
Credit: Cyann Fielding
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Today, the island still boasts marks of its past, while the people who live there include a number of artists
Credit: Alamy
While many know the destination for hosting a number of live music events (with notable names such as The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd), the island actually has a further stretching history.
Originally, the tranquil spot was thought to be a monastic site before later transforming into a popular day-tripper spot.
Then, in the 19th century, it became a popular resort with steamboats and the Eel Pie Island Hotel.
When the hotel later closed in 1967, the island became a hippie commune and evolved as a creative community.
Today, the island still boasts marks of its past, while the people who live there include a number of artists.
It's one of London's best-kept secrets as it is only open to the public twice a year.
And this past weekend I wandered over the footbridge that separates the island from the mainland, to explore the jungle on the island.
Full of giant palm leaves looming overhead, the island doesn't take too long to explore and can be done in just an hour.
And standing at the entrance way to the island, I felt like I was exploring Little Venice in Los Angeles.
To get to the artists' workshops, I followed a meandering path taking me past wood-panelled homes - many decorated with enamel signs, American-style mailboxes and odd treasures.
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The names of places also fitted the Californian vibe with names including 'Palm Beach', 'Copper Beach' and 'Love Shack'.
Reaching the end of the path is an operational boatyard like felt something out of a movie.
On the other side of the slipway is where you'll find the workshops of the island's 26 artists, selling a range of art, sculptures and ceramics.
The workshops are all found nestled in the thick greenery and are surrounded by random abandoned items like water fountains and traffic cones.
Whilst essentially a junk yard, the eclectic items mixed with the jungle felt more like a set from Pirates of the Caribbean.
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Full of giant palm leaves looming overhead, the island doesn't take too long to explore and can be done in just an hour
Credit: Instagram/@secretlondon
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There are many wood-panelled homes on the island - many decorated with enamel signs, American-style mailboxes and odd treasures
Credit: Alamy
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The island is home to 26 artists, selling a range of art, sculptures and ceramics
Credit: Cyann Fielding
It is worth noting, however, that all the workshops are rather snug and may require some shuffling around other people to see all the items available for purchase.
On the plus side, though, some of the workshops sell handmade tipples too, like Pimms, for just a fiver.
You can explore the island and workshops for as long as you like on the day you have a ticket for, but everything can be visited in just an hour if you wish.
Tickets to visit the island are also free.
It takes less than 25 minutes to reach Twickenham via train from London Waterloo, and then Eel Pie Island is roughly a 10-minute walk from the station.
After exploring the island, you can venture back to Twickenham high street, which boasts a number of independent shops and vibrant pubs.
There is also a hidden island in the English Channel that had an exotic climate and some of the best sunsets in Europe.
Plus, the 'secret' UK island surrounded by the country's deadliest footpath.
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To me, it felt like wondering around Little Venice in Los Angeles (pictured)
Credit: Alamy