Truss’s Island

Truss’s Island is a small, uninhabited island in the River Thames between Staines-upon-Thames and Laleham, landscaped with grass, trees and shrubs and open to the public by two footbridges.

Landscape

The island lies against the western bank, a little park on the river. Islands in the Thames are called aits or eyots, from the Old English for a small island.

History

It is named after Charles Truss, who worked for the City of London improving the navigation of this stretch of the Thames in the late 18th century; he is said to be an ancestor of the former prime minister Liz Truss.

Visiting

Truss’s Island is reached on foot from the Thames Path south of Staines. You can collect Truss’s Island as a landing in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

The river around the island is home to mute swans, grey herons, kingfishers and great crested grebes, and Daubenton’s bats hunt low over the water at dusk. Nearby islands include Penton Hook Island, Hollyhock Island and Magna Carta Island.