Isleworth Ait

Isleworth Ait is a long, teardrop-shaped island in the tidal Thames facing Old Isleworth, a nature reserve run by the London Wildlife Trust. It is not open to the public except on organised event and volunteering days.

Landscape

The island of about nine acres is densely covered with trees, faces the towpath along the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club on the other side, and floods regularly on high tides. Islands in the Thames are called aits or eyots, from the Old English for a small island.

Wildlife

The ait is a sanctuary for wildlife and is especially known for two rare snails, the two-lipped door snail and the German hairy snail, among the many species of snail and other invertebrates found here.

Visiting

Isleworth Ait can be seen from the riverside at Old Isleworth, beside the London Apprentice pub. You can collect Isleworth Ait as a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

The tidal Thames around the island is visited by grey herons, cormorants, mute swans and kingfishers, and Daubenton’s bats feed over the water at dusk. Nearby islands include Corporation Island, Glover’s Island and Eel Pie Island.