Isleworth Ferry Briefly Resurrected

In preparation for a three month summer trial next year

courtesy Brentford TV

Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS) briefly resurrected the Isleworth ferry crossing this Monday as part of a plan to re-instate the ferry crossing on a regular basis.

The project launch featured two hours of ferrying across the Thames between Isleworth and Richmond to the delight of guests and passers-by.

Working in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow, Syon House and Richmond Bridge Boathouses a revised plan to re-open the ferry, now 20 years since it last operated, has been put into place. TLS intend to put in a ferry service during the summer holidays and weekends over three months next year. Lessons learned from this trial will determine whether a long term service is practical and affordable. If so then a business plan will be formulated and funding sought.

The Kew Towpath is the longest stretch of Thames Path in London with only one entrance and exist and would benefit from the connection with Isleworth's riverside.

The crossing from Old Isleworth to Richmond Deer Park is recorded as a ferry crossing as far back as 1635. Turner painted The River Thames with Isleworth Ferry in 1805 (Tate).

October 10, 2017