IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Portsmouth Road, SURBITON, KT6 4HQ

Island in the River Thames with a mixed history. The buildings date back to 1971, when they island was a base for Sea Cadets. Sea Cadets are no longer on the island, but sea scouts are, the two gigs looking familiar from my time here in the early-mid 1990s. The buildings were then converted for use as a wedding and reception centre until Ravens Ait Hall Management Company Ltd went into administration in late 2008. Squatters then took over the island, remaining until 1st May 2009. It is now being refurbished; there was a strong call for a community sailing training centre, which would be an excellent use.

Queen’s Promenade was opened by Queen Victoria in 1856 when she drove along the rebuilt Town’s End Road on her way back from a visit to Claremont at Esher. One thousand schoolchildren lined the road, which had been renamed Queen’s Parade. It is now known as Portsmouth Road. Before the 1850s the river banks had been worked for gravel, and the old road was undermined. William Woods, a local builder, undertook to provide a promenade from Raven’s Ait to St Raphael’s Church, if the Corporation would complete it up to the High Street. The section of Queen's Promenade seen here was within the William Woods' part. This view is near the southern end of Queen's Promenade, where the Thames Path leaves the river to go around Seething Wells. Ravens Ait is on the left. The word 'ait' denotes an island along this part of the Thames. Many of the aits are left to nature but Ravens Ait is more built up with the Ravens Ait Watersports Centre.

This island lies in mid-Thames between Surbiton (far bank) and the barge walk around Hampton Court Park. The building is available for weddings, barmitzvahs and other functions. http://www.ravensait.co.uk

Island in the River Thames with a mixed history. The buildings date back to 1971, when they island was a base for Sea Cadets. Sea Cadets are no longer on the island, but sea scouts are with rowing, sailing and canoeing run from the island. The buildings were then converted for use as a wedding and reception centre until Ravens Ait Hall Management Company Ltd went into administration in late 2008. Squatters then took over the island, remaining until 1st May 2009. It is now being refurbished, seemingly for a community sailing training centre, which would be an excellent use.

This view is near the southern end of Queen's Promenade, where the Thames Path rejoins the riverside after going around Seething Wells. Ravens Ait is straight ahead. The word 'ait' denotes an island along this part of the Thames. Many of the aits are left to nature but Ravens Ait is more built up with the Ravens Ait Watersports Centre.

Queen’s Promenade was opened by Queen Victoria in 1856 when she drove along the rebuilt Town’s End Road on her way back from a visit to Claremont at Esher. One thousand schoolchildren lined the road, which had been renamed Queen’s Parade. It is now known as Portsmouth Road. Before the 1850s the river banks had been worked for gravel, and the old road was undermined. William Woods, a local builder, undertook to provide a promenade from Raven’s Ait to St Raphael’s Church, if the Corporation would complete it up to the High Street. This view looks across to Ravens Ait from near the southern end of Queen's Promenade, where the Thames Path leaves the river to go around Seething Wells. The word 'ait' denotes an island along this part of the Thames. Many of the aits are left to nature but Ravens Ait is more built up with the Ravens Ait Watersports Centre.