Bavin's Gulls facts for kids

Bavin's Gulls looking upstream towards Cliveden House

A notice about mooring fees on Bavin's Gulls in 2008

Bavin's Gulls, also known as Sloe Grove Islands, are a small group of islands located in the famous River Thames in England. These islands are found in a beautiful stretch of the river called Cliveden Deep, which is just above Boulter's Lock, close to the town of Maidenhead in Berkshire.

This part of the Thames is well-known for its stunning scenery. A famous writer named Jerome K. Jerome described it in his book Three Men in a Boat as "unbroken loveliness... perhaps the sweetest stretch of all the river."

What are Bavin's Gulls?

Bavin's Gulls is made up of four islands in total. There are two larger islands and two smaller ones. They are all thin strips of land covered with trees. These islands are a part of the historic Cliveden Estate, which is owned and looked after by the National Trust. The National Trust is a charity that protects important places and natural areas in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Exploring the Islands

While these islands are beautiful, there are some rules for visitors. You are allowed to moor your boat overnight on three of the islands. This means you can tie up your boat and stay there for the night. However, the fourth island is a special nature reserve. To protect the wildlife and plants there, you are not allowed to moor your boat or land on this particular island. It's important to respect these rules to help keep the islands a safe home for nature.