Platt's Eyot
Joined to the Right bank by a bridge
Platt's Eyot history and photos
The following description is given in a proposal for redevelopment in 2005 -
Platts Eyot is an island in the Thames at Hampton, lying to the south-west of Hampton
village, adjacent to the Middlesex filter bed, with access via a footbridge from the
Middlesex bank. Most of the perimeter of the western end of the island is dense tree
cover with steep river banks. The downstream end is more open with buildings and
dockside industry. On both sides of the island, for virtually the entire waterfront,
there are boat moorings.
The island grew from osier beds in the Thames to its current form when spoil from the
excavation of the Middlesex filter beds was dumped on the island, forming the distinctive
high profile of the western end. The steep banks have been colonised by willow, ash, and
oak with later planting of coniferous and hybrid poplar species.
The first boat building activity on the island dates from 1866 when Thomas Tagg built a yard
and house at the eastern end of the island. Thorneycroft boat builders, who built navy
motor torpedo boats and speedboats, owned the island until 1960. The boatsheds on the
east of the island date from this time. Thorneycroft also used the island for the repair
and building of commercial, service and pleasure craft. They provided a complete
service for yacht owners, including moorings, maintenance and covered moorings.
In the 1960s the yard was taken over by Port Hampton Ltd who diversified the use of the island
from its boat building past. The majority of the buildings have a light industrial use,
although some boat repairs and an increased area of moorings still exist.
At present approximately 70% of the existing employment floorspace is either
vacant or derelict.
On the Middlesex bank is an area used as a car park for the island.
Access to the island itself is by a 1.8 metre wide bridge, approximately 50 years old,
and only wide enough for a small Suzuki-type van to use. Goods are carried to the island
by hand or forklift trucks.
The whole island was designated as a conservation area at the end of 1990 and in January 1991
the boathouses and office building on the eastern end of the Island were listed as Grade II.
The whole of Platt's Eyot is within the River Thames Site of Metropolitan Importance
for Nature Conservation. The western end of the island is designated Green Belt.