Tagg's Island

Lower end of Tagg's Island with Molesey Boat Club beyond
Tagg's Island from upstream with large houseboats and the road bridge to the island

Tagg's Island is an ait (island) on the River Thames on the reach above Molesey Lock and just above Ash Island, located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and part of Hampton. The island is roughly 400 metres long by 90 metres wide at its widest point, covering 6 acres (including its central lagoon). Although close to the Surrey bank near East Molesey, the island is connected to the further Middlesex bank by a single track road bridge, being the only island on the non-tidal Thames accessible by car.[1]

Houses are not permitted to be built on the island and it is surrounded by houseboats whose owners, in acquiring their mooring land, have the right to belong to the island's residents' association, which owns the island. Some of the Thames' most expensive houseboats are on this stretch of the river and are up to three storeys.[2] The centre of the island has a lagoon with river access and private moorings surrounded by trees and crossed by a small footbridge.[3]

Historically, the island has been the site of multiple hotel and resort developments, including the Island Hotel established by Thomas Tagg (after whom the island is named), the famous Karsino built by impresario Fred Karno, which, following Karno's bankruptcy, became known as the Thames Riveria[4] under various owners. The island was bought by car manufacturer AC Cars in 1940, who converted the skating rink and tennis courts into factory space for wartime munitions, and later, Invacars for the Ministry of Pensions.

  1. ^ Sinclair, Mick (2007). The Thames: A Cultural History. Signal Books. ISBN 9781908493194.
  2. ^ Quirky Homes article from Money at MSN September 2012, retrieved 2012-11-20
  3. ^ Map created by Ordnance Survey, courtesy of English Heritage (Archived 24 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine)
  4. ^ Hulton Archive (1 February 1947). "All Hands to the 'Broom ' on Houseboat Decks". Getty Images. Retrieved 23 August 2023. The houseboat colony at Thames Riviera Island, Hampton Court will be glad when the thaw sets in. Snow covers the decks, and has to be constantly swept. 12 Photograph ShowsLittle Christine Carter aged 3 busy sweeping the upper deck of her houseboat home the' ISLAND HOME' situated at Taggs Island