Voice of the Thames

Voice of the Thames Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Voice of the Thames, Environmental conservation organisation, Henley on Thames.

The River Thames Society is a charity that aims to preserve and protect the natural beauty of the River Thames and adjacent areas, promote nature conservation and river use, and connect with other organisations with similar interests.

6 — D'Oyly Carte Island: The Savoy Annexe That Never WasJust downstream of Shepperton Lock, on the reach above Sunbury, ...
07/08/2026

6 — D'Oyly Carte Island: The Savoy Annexe That Never Was

Just downstream of Shepperton Lock, on the reach above Sunbury, sits a small island with one of the more theatrical stories on the whole river — and, for a while, its own pet crocodile.

The island was known as Folly Eyot until around 1890, when it was bought by Richard D'Oyly Carte, the Victorian impresario who brought together the dramatist W. S. Gilbert and the composer Arthur Sullivan, built the Savoy Theatre to house their comic operas, and then built the Savoy Hotel next door with the profits.

Carte's plan for the island was simple: a secluded country annexe to the Savoy, reached by boat, where well-heeled hotel guests could escape London for the weekend. The local magistrates had other ideas, and refused to grant the property a drinks licence. Rather than abandon the project, Carte simply built his thirteen-bedroom mansion, Eyot House, and moved in himself.

Gilbert and Sullivan were regular guests, rehearsing new operas in the ballroom while Weybridge locals gathered on the opposite bank to listen for free. So, reportedly, was the playwright J. M. Barrie — and Carte's habit of keeping a pet crocodile on the island (which escaped for several weeks in 1897 before local watermen recaptured it) is sometimes credited as a source of inspiration for the crocodile in Barrie's "Peter Pan." A
carved wooden crocodile still sits in one of the eaves of the house today.

After decades of decline, Eyot House and its island were sold in 2021 to new owners restoring it to something closer to Carte's original vision — including, since 2023, a small café and wine bar on the site of the old boatyard, open to visitors who arrive, fittingly, by boat.

*Voice of the Thames (River Thames Society)*
https://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/join-us

Photo: Eyot House, D'Oyly Carte Island by Sean Davis 2007 (Wikimedia Commons)

Non-Tidal Thames — Forthcoming Events & Navigation Notices6–20 August 2026Voice of the Thames (River Thames Society)The ...
06/08/2026

Non-Tidal Thames — Forthcoming Events & Navigation Notices

6–20 August 2026

Voice of the Thames (River Thames Society)

The next fortnight brings regattas, a long-distance swim and a temporary Reading Festival bridge closure, alongside continuing dry-weather lock controls. Please allow extra time, check local instructions and plan overnight moorings carefully.

EVENTS

▸ Maidenhead Rowing Club Regatta — Saturday 8 August, Bray reach (spectator ticket information not stated)

Rowing on the reach between Maidenhead and Bray Cricket Club and Maidenhead Railway Bridge; racing is scheduled for 8am–6pm. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maidenhead-rowing-club-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice/maidenhead-rowing-club-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Sunbury Amateur Regatta — Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, Sunbury reach (spectator ticket information not stated)

Racing runs 8am–5pm from Desborough Sailing Club to D’Oyly Carte Island. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sunbury-amateur-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice/sunbury-amateur-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice

NAVIGATION RESTRICTIONS

▸ Prolonged Dry Weather Restrictions St John’s Lock–Osney Lock (from Saturday 25 July, until further notice; overnight 6pm–9:30am) — St John’s Lock to Osney Lock.

One upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes during lock-keeper hours; locks close and are chained overnight. Plan to reach a suitable overnight mooring before 6pm; lock laybys may be used free of charge overnight. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prolonged-dry-weather-navigation-restrictions-river-restriction-notice/prolonged-dry-weather-navigation-restrictions-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Prolonged Dry Weather Restrictions Goring–Culham (from Monday 3 August, until further notice; overnight 6pm–9:30am) — Goring Lock to Culham Lock.

One upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes during Lock and Weir Keeper hours; locks close and are chained overnight. Plan carefully and use lock laybys free of charge if needed overnight. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prolonged-dry-weather-restrictions-goring-to-culham-2026-river-restriction-notice/prolonged-dry-weather-restrictions-goring-to-culham-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Prolonged Dry Weather Restrictions Penton Hook–Shepperton (from Monday 3 August, until further notice; overnight 6pm–9:30am) — Penton Hook, Chertsey and Shepperton Locks.

One upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes during keeper hours; locks close and are chained overnight. Reach suitable overnight moorings before 6pm; lock laybys may be used free of charge. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prolonged-dry-weather-restrictions-penton-hook-to-shepperton-2026-river-restriction-notice/prolonged-dry-weather-restrictions-penton-hook-to-shepperton-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Blakes Lock Repairs (from Thursday 30 July, until further notice) — Blakes Lock, River Kennet.

Passage is restricted to vessels with a beam no greater than 2.8m (9ft 3in). Keep to a safe speed and follow Environment Agency or contractor instructions. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blakes-lock-repairs-2026-river-restriction-notice/blakes-lock-repairs-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Clifton Hampden Bridge works (Monday 20 July–Monday 21 September) — Days reach, Clifton Hampden Bridge.

Navigation is restricted through the bridge while works take place; at least one arch will remain open. Obey the contractor’s banksmen and take responsibility for crew and craft safety. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clifton-hampden-bridge-works-2026-river-restriction-notice/clifton-hampden-bridge-works-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Deconstruction of the Henley Royal Regatta course (Tuesday 14 July–Monday 31 August) — Hambleden reach, Henley Bridge to the downstream end of Temple Island.

Downstream boats must use the regatta course from the finish to the barrier; upstream boats must use the Buckinghamshire/Fawley side. Do not moor to piles, booms, boxes or the bank at The Narrows; watch for tugs and piling barges and follow Harbour Master directions. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/deconstruction-of-the-henley-royal-regatta-course-2026-river-restriction-notice/deconstruction-of-the-henley-royal-regatta-course-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Tenfoot Footbridge repairs (Monday 3–Monday 10 August) — Shifford reach, Tenfoot Footbridge.

Only one vessel at a time through the bridge; works are from a barge in the main navigation channel. Take caution and obey Environment Agency instructions. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tenfoot-footbridge-repairs-2026-river-restriction-notice/tenfoot-footbridge-repairs-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta and Swim (Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August, 8am–8pm; swim Saturday 8 August, 6am–8am) — Marsh reach, Wargrave Slipway to Shiplake Railway Bridge.

Use the left, Wargrave-side navigation channel; racing is in a buoyed channel on the Shiplake side, with a narrow punting channel along the Wargrave bank. Maintain safe speed and lookout, follow patrol-launch instructions, and give swimmers a wide berth. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wargrave-and-shiplake-regatta-and-swim-2026-river-restriction-notice/wargrave-and-shiplake-regatta-and-swim-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Maidenhead Rowing Club Regatta (Saturday 8 August, 8am–6pm) — Bray reach, between Maidenhead and Bray Cricket Club and Maidenhead Railway Bridge.

Use the left, Windsor and Maidenhead non-towpath side; racing is in a buoyed channel on the right, Buckinghamshire towpath side. Keep a safe speed and lookout, follow control-point/patrol-launch directions, and do not swim near the course during racing. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maidenhead-rowing-club-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice/maidenhead-rowing-club-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Thames Marathon Swim (Sunday 9 August, 7am–3:30pm) — Henley Bridge to Higginson Park, Marlow, via Hambleden, Hurley and Temple Locks.

Swimmers will be predominantly along the Berkshire left bank, except when portaging locks. Maintain safe speed and lookout and avoid impeding the event. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-marathon-swim-2026-river-restriction-notice/thames-marathon-swim-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Sunbury Amateur Regatta (Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, 8am–5pm) — Sunbury reach, Desborough Sailing Club to D’Oyly Carte Island.

Use the Desborough Island side of the old river channel at Shepperton; racing is in a buoyed channel on the Middlesex side. Maintain safe speed and lookout, follow patrol-launch/control-point instructions, and note that swimming is not allowed on the course during racing. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sunbury-amateur-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice/sunbury-amateur-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ Temporary Bridge for Reading Festival (Thursday 20 August, 7pm–midnight) — Caversham reach, Scours Lane, Reading, one mile upstream of Caversham Bridge.

Navigation will close while the bridge is lifted into place; expect about a 30-minute delay, follow patrol-launch staff and use VHF Channel 74. The bridge will remain in place 20 August–6 September with 5.35m (17ft 6in) headway at standard Caversham Lock headwater. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-bridge-for-reading-festival-2026-river-closure-notice/temporary-bridge-for-reading-festival-2026-river-closure-notice

ONGOING NOTICES

▸ Bell Weir refurbishment — Bell Weir reach.

Contractors are setting up equipment around Runnymede Pleasure Grounds. Watch for ad hoc restrictions or closures to the navigation channel and proceed with caution. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-thames-restrictions-and-closures

▸ Teddington Launch Lock refurbishment — Teddington Lock.

The Launch Lock remains closed for repairs; Teddington Barge Lock is operational. Contractors at the tail of the barge lock may cause delays of up to 30 minutes on weekdays through Friday 11 September. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-thames-restrictions-and-closures

▸ Lock and facility outages.

East Street visitor mooring at Oxford is closed; Abingdon sewage pump-out is available only when the keeper is on duty; the Benson weir walkway, Marsh Horse Bridge and Temple Footbridge are closed with diversions. Hurley visitor/base moorings and shower are closed; Marlow downstream visitor mooring is closed; Cookham shower, Boveney shower/chemical-toilet disposal/pump-out, Old Windsor charging point, Shiplake pump-out/refuse and Molesey drinking-water and bulk-supply points are out of use or closed. Check details before departure. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-thames-locks-and-facilities-for-boaters

COMING UP BEYOND THIS WINDOW

▸ Thames Valley Skiff Club Walton Reach Regatta (Saturday 22 August, 9am–5pm) — Sunbury reach, Walton Rowing Club to Black Swan Sea Cadets.

The navigation channel will be on the Middlesex right side; racing uses a buoyed Surrey-side channel. Source:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-valley-skiff-club-walton-reach-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice/thames-valley-skiff-club-walton-reach-regatta-2026-river-restriction-notice

▸ City of Oxford Royal Regatta (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, Oxford/Isis river course; competitor entry; spectator ticket information not stated)

Two-lane side-by-side racing is scheduled over 1,000m on Saturday and 500m on Sunday. Check the organiser for final spectator arrangements. Source:

https://www.oxfordcityroyalregatta.co.uk/regatta

Always check the latest Environment Agency notices before setting out.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/river-restriction-notices

Notes

- The British Rowing Day Ticket page lists Maidenhead Regatta on 8 August and Oxford City Royal Regatta/Oxford City Sprint on 15–16 August, but does not state venues. The Oxford City organiser’s current page and homepage state that the Royal Regatta is 22–23 August 2026, so that official date was used and the conflicting 15–16 August listing was not treated as current.

- The Environment Agency page’s update history contains an ambiguous entry “New urgent river closure for Saturday 8 August - Port Meadow, Oxford” without a year, time, reach or linked notice; it is not in the current closure table and was not included as a confirmed 2026 notice.

5 — Pharaoh's Island: Egypt on the ThamesJust above Shepperton Lock sits a stretch of river that looks, from the towpath...
05/08/2026

5 — Pharaoh's Island: Egypt on the Thames

Just above Shepperton Lock sits a stretch of river that looks, from the towpath, like nothing so much as a small slice of the Nile has been transplanted into Surrey. It's called Pharaoh's Island, and its twenty-three houses — reachable only by boat — carry names like Sphinx, Luxor, Osiris, Pyramid and Thebes.

The island was originally known as Dog Ait, and shows up under that name on Ordnance Survey maps as late as the 1890s. Its more romantic origin story holds that it was purchased by the Treasury and gifted to Admiral Nelson after his victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 — Nelson is said to have used it purely as a fishing retreat and never built on it. It wasn't until 1903 that the first house went up, built by the Tory MP and High Court judge Sir Cyril Atkinson, who named it Sphinx out of a personal interest in Egyptology. Once one house had an Egyptian name, it seems, all the others had to follow.

The island has attracted its share of well-known residents since — the actors Ian Hendry and Janet Munro lived at Sphinx in the 1960s, and the island was later used by director John Boorman as the setting for his two semi-autobiographical films, "Hope and Glory" (1987) and "Queen and Country" (2014). There's still no bridge. Everything — post, shopping, guests, building materials — goes to and fro by small boat, exactly as it always has, on an island that spent its first century as an unnamed dog-walking spot and its second as one of the most distinctive residential addresses on the entire river.

*Voice of the Thames (River Thames Society)*
https://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/join-us

Photo c/o Colin Smith “Pharaohs Island Ferry” 2008 (Wikimedia Commons)

03/08/2026

WHITCHURCH LOCK OPEN

Change made:
Whitchurch Lock open to navigation.

Time updated:
2:44pm, 3 August 2026

We posted about Temple Island recently and were asked whether we had any inside shots. Henley Royal Regatta have kindly ...
03/08/2026

We posted about Temple Island recently and were asked whether we had any inside shots. Henley Royal Regatta have kindly sent three which we have included in comments below.
This cover photo comes c/o Dennis Craggs Photography..

Voice of the Thames (River Thames Society)

https://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/join-us

4 — Magna Carta Island: A Contender for Where It All BeganEvery schoolchild learns that Magna Carta was sealed at Runnym...
02/08/2026

4 — Magna Carta Island: A Contender for Where It All Began

Every schoolchild learns that Magna Carta was sealed at Runnymede in 1215. What fewer people know is that there's a specific island in the middle of the river, facing the Runnymede meadows, that has a genuine claim to being the actual spot — and that it's been privately owned, extended, sold and partied in ever since.

The charter itself names Runnymede, not the island, but historians think the island may well have been considered part of Runnymede at the time — and it's known for certain that in 1217, the island hosted a meeting between Henry III and the future Louis VIII of France, so it was clearly already a recognised meeting place. In 1834, George Simon Harcourt, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, built a grand pseudo-Norman house on the island, Magna Carta House, and installed a large inscribed stone inside to commemorate the sealing. That house, much extended in the early twentieth century, is now Grade II listed.

Its later owners read like a cast list: in the 1920s, a stockbroker and his wife, the music hall performer Maidie Scott; in the 1930s, the industrialist and MP Patrick Hannon, whose wife hosted parties there for the Australian Prime Minister and the wife of the British Prime Minister, and opened the grounds for public garden parties during the annual Swan Upping ceremony. Hannon eventually gave the property to Buckinghamshire County Council, who sold it on in 1967. In the grounds today stands a walnut tree, planted by Queen Elizabeth II in October 1974 — a small, living footnote to the charter that, eight centuries ago, first put limits on royal power practically within sight of where the tree now grows.

*Voice of the Thames (River Thames Society)*
https://www.riverthamessociety.org.uk/join-us

Photo : Charles Pettitt (1831-1885) - Magna Carta Island, Runnymede - Oa.018 - Chertsey Museum (Wikimedia Commons)

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