Brentford Ait

Brentford Ait seen from Kew Bridge

Brentford Ait is a long uninhabited ait (island) in the River Thames. It is on the Tideway near Brentford, in the Borough of Hounslow, London, England.

Map of Brentford and Lot's Aits

Brentford Ait has a gap in the middle known as Hog Hole which is apparent at higher tides. In the 18th century there was a notorious pub on Brentford Ait called the Swan or Three Swans, which was closed in 1796. The Swan Steps lead down to the river at Brentford at the site of the crossing to this pub. The ait was planted with trees in the 1920s to screen Brentford's gasworks from the view of Kew Gardens. The ait is covered by willows and alder and is a bird sanctuary with a significant heronry.

See also

• Islands in the River Thames

References

• Hatts, Leigh (2005). The Thames Path: From the Sea to the Source (2nd ed.). Milnthorpe: Cicerone. ISBN 9781852844363. OCLC 276222230. 
• "Syon and Mortlake Reaches: PLA 307 & 308 Main Surveys (Extract)" (PDF). Port of London. http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/U10_2006_chartlet_Syon_and_Mortlakepdf.pdf. Retrieved 2009-01-05. 
• Baker, T F T; Elrington, C R (editors); Bolton, Diane K; Croot, Patricia E C; Hicks, M A (1982). "Chiswick: Introduction". A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 7: Acton, Chiswick, Ealing and Brentford, West Twyford, Willesden. Oxford: Oxford University Press for the University of London, Institute of Historical Research. pp. 50–51. OCLC 59178433. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22557. Retrieved 2009-01-05. 

Next island upstream	River Thames	Next island downstream
Lot's Ait	Brentford Ait	Oliver's Island