Pharaoh's Island, River Thames facts for kids
Pharaoh's Island is a small island in the River Thames. It is located in Surrey, England. The island is about 270 meters (300 yards) upstream from Shepperton Lock.
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Discovering Pharaoh's Island
Pharaoh's Island is about 280 meters long. Its widest point is around 60 meters across. The island is near Shepperton Lock. Two other water channels split off after the island. These channels go around Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island. You can only reach Pharaoh's Island by boat. There are places to moor boats at Lock Island. You can also find a pub called The Thames Court nearby. It is almost directly across from the island's eastern end.
The Island's History
Admiral Nelson's Retreat
The British government bought this island a long time ago. They gave it to Admiral Nelson. He was a famous British naval hero. This gift was after his great victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Admiral Nelson used the island as a quiet place to go fishing. Before this, the island was known as Dog Ait. It kept this name until the late 1800s.
The First House on the Island
In 1903, the first house was built on the island. It was built by Sir Cyril Atkinson. He was a Tory Member of Parliament and a High Court Judge. Sir Cyril named his new house Sphinx. He was very interested in Egyptology, which is the study of ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh's Island in Movies
Pharaoh's Island has been featured in movies. It was the setting for two films by director John Boorman. These movies were based on his own life. The first film was Hope and Glory in 1987. The second was Queen and Country in 2014.
