Gibraltar Islands

Gibraltar Islands from upstream with boats across the channel

Gibraltar Islands are a pair of islands in the River Thames above Bourne End Railway Bridge on the reach above Cookham Lock, near Cookham Dean, Berkshire.

There is a footbridge to one of the islands which is closely connected to the other. Previously the islands were more numerous little aits on which osiers were grown. There are some houses on the islands. The islands are opposite Quarry Wood on the Berkshire bank which is considered to be the basis for the Wild Woods in The Wind in the Willows. The woods are also referenced by Jerome K. Jerome.

During 2014 an amphibious house was built on the island, the project being documented for the Channel 4 television series Grand Designs. The house was built so that its basement acted as a boat's hull, sitting in a tank, so that if the island flooded the house would float.

See also

• Islands in the River Thames

Outside links

• Location map: 51°34’12"N, -0°44’42"W