Once upon a time, whispers of secret rendezvous and scandalous liaisons floated on the breeze around Brentford Ait. This long, uninhabited island sits in the River Thames. It is near Brentford in London. It is a place of surprising history.
Brentford Ait spans about 4.6 acres. The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the Port of London Authority administer it. Over time, Brentford Ait has been known by other names. These include Makenshaw, Mattenshaw, and Twigg Ait.
Notice the gap in the middle of Brentford Ait. Locals call it Hog Hole. At lower high tides, you can clearly see it. Hog Hole divides the ait into upper and lower sections. At mean high water springs, the water washes over these sections.
Back in the 18th century, Brentford Ait was a lively spot. The notorious pub, the Swan or Three Swans, stood here. It was a popular destination until it closed in 1796. Today, the Swan Steps remain on the Brentford bank. They mark the spot where people once crossed to reach the pub.
In the 1920s, Brentford Ait transformed. Trees were planted to screen Brentford’s gasworks. The goal was to hide them from the view of Kew Gardens. Today, willows and alders cover the island. It has become a bird sanctuary, known for its significant heronry.
Legend says the Three Swans pub was quite the place. The Prince of Wales, later George IV, supposedly met his mistress here. Her name was Mary “Perdita” Robinson. They met after she played Perdita in The Winter’s Tale. The Prince even gave her a note signed “Florizel”.
They had secret meetings in a small brick house near Kew. Mary recalled waiting for a signal from Kew Palace. This told her when to meet the Prince. She described him as the “most engaging of created beings”.
But the Three Swans wasn’t just a lover’s hideaway. It was also famous for its pitchcooked eels. William Hickey wrote about dining on the island. He enjoyed the house famous for dressing pitchcooked eels. These eels were rubbed with salt and pepper. Then they were skewered and broiled with beef suet.
Not everyone loved the Three Swans. Robert Hunter, a resident of Kew Green, called Brentford Ait a nuisance. He complained about riotous and indecent scenes. In 1812, Hunter bought the ait. He closed the Three Swans. He demolished the house and filled in the fish pond.
Even swan upping took place at Brentford Ait. This is an annual tradition of rounding up swans. In 1845, the Lord Mayor of London stopped at Brentford Ait during this event.
Today, Brentford Ait offers stunning views. It is a peaceful bird sanctuary. It provides a glimpse into a past filled with secrets and stories. The island stands as a reminder of a time when Brentford Ait was a place of both notoriety and natural beauty.