Andersey Island facts for kids
Andersey Island is a large area of land near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in England. It covers about 273 acres (1.1 square kilometers). This island is special because it's surrounded by the River Thames. It's the second-largest island on the non-tidal part of the Thames. The name "Andersey" comes from "Andrew's island," named after a chapel built there around the year 1050.
Where is Andersey Island?
Andersey Island is found south-east of Abingdon Bridge. It's formed by a natural branch of the River Thames called the Swift Ditch. This ditch is now a quiet backwater. The island is about 273 acres in size.
Andersey Island's Story
A Look Back in Time
The name "Andersey" means "Andrew's island" in Old English. Long ago, this island was home to a royal palace. This palace belonged to the Anglo-Saxon kings. Kings from Mercia and Wessex liked to stay here.
King Offa of Mercia built a royal home on Andersey Island. His son, King Ecgfrith, died there in 796. Later, after the Normans arrived, kings like William I and William II used the site. They used it as a hunting lodge. Around 1100, the land was given to the Abbot of Abingdon. The old palace buildings then fell into ruin.
An important road runs through the island. It connects Abingdon and Dorchester. In 1928, the Culham New Bridge was built. Before that, the Culham Old Bridge was used. This old bridge is now a protected ancient monument. It was part of a big project from 1416 to 1422. The Abingdon Guild of the Holy Cross built the causeway and bridges. This helped improve travel between Abingdon and Dorchester.
King Henry I was asked by Queen Maud to return the island to Abingdon. He agreed, and the abbot could use lead from the old buildings. This lead was used for the roof of the abbey church. Old records show that the stone buildings on the island were already falling apart.
In the 1600s, a group called the Oxford-Burcot Commission was formed. Their job was to make the river better for boats. They used a smaller channel of the river. This channel ran between Andersey and Culham Hill.
What's There Today?
Most of Andersey Island is open land. You'll find lots of grass, marsh reeds, and trees like poplars and willows. People also use parts of the island. There's a football club and a cricket club. You can also find a leisure facility, barns, and cottages there.
