Behold Lot’s Ait a hidden gem nestled in the Thames. This little island has a big story. Lot’s Ait covers just 1.724 acres. That is about 0.7 hectares. For centuries, Lot’s Ait was a place for growing things. Grass and osiers thrived here. Osiers are basket willows. People used them to make baskets, furniture and carts. Farmers also used them as food for cattle.
Once upon a time, Lot’s Ait was called Barbel Island. It was a great spot for fishing. Later, a barge repair yard opened here. It operated until 1980 when the island was sold. Nature took over then. Willows grew wild. Old boats rotted. Dock roofs rusted. Lot’s Ait became a haven for wildlife.
In 2002, someone wanted to build a restaurant and leisure center here. They also planned boat storage. Access to Lot’s Ait is tricky. You can walk at low tide. Wear sturdy boots because the mud is thick and shifting. You can also take a boat from Goats Wharf. It is off Brentford High Street.
In 2011, a local company leased the island. John’s Boat Works started building boats. It was the first time in over 30 years. In 2012, they built a new footbridge. It is called Dahlia Bridge. It connects Lot’s Ait to Brentford. Beckett Rankine designed it. MSO Marine built it.
Lot’s Ait has appeared in popular culture. The boatyard was on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. The Bow Gamelan Ensemble performed “Offshore Rig” here in 1987. Channel 4 made a documentary about it.
The boatyard on Lot’s Ait has a rich history. It was one of many in Brentford. These businesses thrived in the 19th and 20th centuries. Motorways and container ships changed things. Commercial traffic on the Thames declined. Boatyards closed one after another. Lot’s Ait was one of the last to close in the 1970s. It avoided development because it was hard to access.
Today, you can still see the old buildings and machinery. They stand as reminders of the past. The Thames and General Lighterage Co and John Watson revitalized the boatyard. Restoration work included repairing the traveling crane. It helps with work on vessels in the tidal dock. They also restored the trolley and lift engine. This allows boats to be taken up the slipway.
The workshop has a wood machine shop and storage. Professionals and DIY boat owners can work on projects here. The yard welcomes traditional and heritage vessels. It provides space for storage, maintenance and repair. Other tidal docks will become leisure moorings.
John Watson of John’s Boat Works spearheaded the project. He specialized in wooden boats. He also offered skilled instruction. Watson said the restored boatyard would bring back Brentford’s industrial heritage. It would also provide opportunities for new craftspeople. Today, Patrick Unwin continues this vision. He is committed to making improvements while keeping a natural habitat for local wildlife.
Cross the Dahlia Bridge and step back in time. See the passion and craftsmanship that keep the spirit of the Thames alive on Lot’s Ait. A place where history floats.