Dream of a hidden gem on the River Thames. That is Rose Isle. It sits just downstream from Kennington Railway Bridge. Rose Isle is near Kennington, Oxfordshire.
Rose Isle is more than just an island. It has a rich history. It was once known as Kennington Island or St Michael’s Island. The island is covered in trees. A narrow channel runs behind it. A footbridge crosses this channel.
Long ago Rose Isle was used for growing osiers. Osiers are basket willows. People used them for basketry, furniture, and cart-making.
The house on Rose Isle stands where the Swan Hotel once stood. The Swan Hotel was a popular stopping point on the river. In 1885, it was described as a good little inn with private fishing.
Lewis Carroll visited Rose Isle in 1856. He went on a boating excursion with friends. They had a picnic on the island. They bought ginger beer and lemonade at The Swan Inn. Carroll called it a “dies mirabilis” a day of wonders.
The Swan Hotel was a fairyland in summer. Candlelit lanterns dotted the garden. Courting couples filled every arbour. A band played music for dances behind the house.
In 1889, Morrells acquired The Swan. They employed a ferryman to row people across from Kennington. In 1895, the Thames froze so deep people could walk across.
The island saw few visitors in winter. It was prone to floods. In 1929, The Swan ceased being a public house. It became a private residence.
The Rose Isle Footbridge was sanctioned in 1881. It connects the island to the right bank.
Imagine Rose Isle in the words of Edmund Spenser. He described nymphs gathering flowers by the Thames. They made garlands for a bridal day. Swans floated down the river. The scene was like a bride’s chamber floor.
Rose Isle also has a connection to Alice in Wonderland.
Today Rose Isle is a private house. It has been in the Reynolds family since 1953. They take great pride in the property. Records indicate an inn stood on this site in the 16th century.
As you stand here consider the layers of history. Rose Isle has evolved from a working island to a hotel. It is now a private retreat. Rose Isle remains a captivating landmark on the River Thames. It invites us to reflect on its past.