Flooding along the riverfront at Strand-on-the-Green

Image: © Marathon Taken: 28 Nov 2012

The riverfront at Strand-on-the-Green consists of a footpath running along the bank of the River Thames. It is overlooked by fine 18th-century houses and a collection of riverside pubs, and as it is on the tideway is regularly flooded by the river, especially when high tide combines with heavy flow from upriver. The entrance of all the properties is raised above the path so that the view of the river is not spoiled. In some cases this has left rather strange effects such as front doors which are only four feet high - see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2123728 In the distance is Kew Bridge and the tower blocks of Brentford. The trees on the left are on the island of Oliver's Ait. The island gets its name from Oliver Cromwell. It acquired its name after rumours that Oliver Cromwell used the island as a hideout and held military councils at the Bull's Head pub during the English Civil War. These rumours seem somewhat unlikely. By the tree on the right is the terrace of the City Barge which at this time was under water. It was licensed by 1786 and known as the Maypole Inn until 1807, when it was renamed after the City barge moored nearby. The pub was largely destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War and the old bar is all that remains of the original inn.

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