Gazing across the Thames, can you envision a secret escape route, a hidden tunnel leading to a secluded island? This is Oliver’s Island, a small, wooded islet steeped in intriguing, albeit likely false, history. Oliver’s Island, despite its name, probably has no connection to Oliver Cromwell. A popular story claims Cromwell sought refuge here, escaping through a secret tunnel from the Bull’s Head pub in Strand-on-the-Green. However, no evidence of such a tunnel exists. The island’s name, originally Strand Ayt, only changed a century after the Civil War, when the Cromwell myth took hold. Oliver’s Island played a more practical role in London’s history. In 1777, a tollbooth, shaped like a small castle, was built here. A barge moored alongside collected tolls to improve the river’s navigation. This “City Barge” gave its name to a local pub. Later, a smithy was established, where barges were built and repaired. The Port of London Authority took ownership in 1909, using it as a storage depot and wharf for derelict vessels. Today, Oliver’s Island is a haven for wildlife. Herons, cormorants, and Canada geese now reside amongst its thick trees, a peaceful contrast to its rumored past. The island remains a captivating sight, a reminder of the myths and realities interwoven into London’s history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to