Rod Eyot facts for kids
Rod Eyot (also called Rod Ait) is a small island located in the River Thames in England. It is found near the town of Henley-on-Thames, a bit upstream from Hambleden Lock. The island is close to popular spots like Mill Meadows and the River and Rowing Museum.
Contents
What is Rod Eyot Like?
Rod Eyot is home to ten small holiday homes called chalets, and also has a brick cottage. The island used to have a long, thin shape with a line of trees, which is how it got its name ("Eyot" means a small island). Over time, this thin part was made smaller, and the main part of the island was built up with more soil.
Getting to Rod Eyot
You can only reach Rod Eyot by boat. The homes on the island are privately owned and have their own places to tie up boats, called moorings.
River Rules Around the Island
When boats travel on the river around Rod Eyot, they follow special rules. The Environment Agency tells them to keep to the right side of the river (this is called the starboard side). This helps boats pass safely on both sides of the island.
Island Services
Because the island is only reachable by boat, things like waste and rubbish are also taken away by boat. They are brought to special collection points at marinas.
History of Rod Eyot
Rod Eyot has been around for a long time! A painting from before the year 1900 shows the river from Wargrave Road. In that painting, Rod Eyot was the biggest of several islands that were sometimes connected. Back then, the island was lower and nobody lived on it.
From Corporation Island to Rod Eyot
Until 1907, the island was known as Corporation Island. The local Town Council sold the plots of land where the chalets now stand. Before that, the brick cottage on the island was lived in by a farrier. A farrier is someone who puts horseshoes on horses. These horses were used to pull barges along the river.
Nearby Places to Visit
The closest public buildings in Henley Town centre are not far from Rod Eyot. The Angel on the Bridge pub is very close, followed by the town's church and the Red Lion Hotel. The main bridge in Henley is about 600 metres (about 2,000 feet) from Rod Eyot.
Bird Island
Downstream from Rod Eyot, towards Henley Bridge, there used to be a thin, uninhabited islet. This small island was part of the original Rod Eyot and was known by local people as Bird Island.
