Pharaoh’s Island in Surrey features 23 homes, accessible only by boat or narrow roads, posing challenges for emergency services. Andrew Phillip, a resident since 2001, faced difficulties when a fire damaged his home, highlighting these risks. Nearby, Hamhoe Island, a private community, relies on association fees for access and recently installed fire hydrants for emergencies. Residents use boats for deliveries, fostering a close-knit community. Despite the inherent dangers of flooding and isolation, island life attracts wealthy individuals and offers tranquility. Real estate agents market these unique properties, emphasizing their charm despite renovation needs, with homes valued in the millions.
Situated in small pockets along the River Thames in Surrey, there are some interesting small private islands that remain largely untouched.
Miles away from tropical beaches and sunshine, this place is still home to some of the world’s richest and most famous people, as well as everyday Brits looking for an idyllic escape from the city. .
But while island life is beautiful, it also comes with its share of dangers. These small plots of land can only be accessed by boat or narrow roads, so there is no guarantee that emergency services will be able to reach residents in time in a crisis.
For Andrew Phillip, who lives in one of just 23 homes on Pharaohs Island in Surrey, this unfortunate shortcoming is all too familiar.
Philip’s dream riverside home, which he and his wife bought in 2001, was severely damaged in a fire last April.
He and his family have been living in a rented house ever since, as firefighters had trouble accessing his home because there is no bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
The island’s youngest resident, holding an 18-month-old baby, said he felt “lucky” to have escaped.
Reconstruction work on his home continues and he is looking forward to returning to his beloved waterfront home with his young family.
Andrew Phillip’s dream riverside home, which he and his wife bought on Pharaoh Island in 2001, went up in flames in April last year, causing extensive damage. His 18-month-old son is AIT’s youngest resident
Located just 270 meters upriver from Shepparton Lock in Surrey, Pharaoh’s Island has 23 homes and is only accessible by boat
Unlike the door-to-door delivery service that many Londoners are accustomed to, packages, including takeaways, will be left on the opposite bank of the river for residents to pick up. Delivery drivers ring traditional bells to alert islanders of arrival.
Philip added: “Living near water is a bit nerve-wracking. We have to be very careful and keep a close eye on him.”
“Every few years our lawn gets flooded. But it’s a really nice community. The other day someone lost power on one of their boats and everyone messaged us to try and help.”
Unlike the door-to-door delivery service that many Londoners are accustomed to, packages, including takeaways, will be left on the opposite bank of the river for residents to pick up. The delivery driver then rings a traditional bell to alert islanders of their arrival.
Just down the southernmost bank of the River Thames lies Hamhoe Island, 690 meters long and 100 to 120 meters wide.
Entirely private land with no public access, residents pay an annual island association fee of £350 for the privilege of crossing over a small footbridge, and there is also a ferry service during the summer months.
After a devastating house fire eight years ago, fire hydrants have been installed across the island to protect residents from potential delays in emergency services across the ocean.
David Gose Williams, 94, and his wife Jean, 90, are the two oldest people on the island who have lived in the area for more than 40 years.
David Gose Williams, 94, and his wife Jean, 90, are two of Hamhoe Island’s oldest residents, having lived in the area for more than 40 years.
The parcels are left by delivery drivers and can be picked up by Pharaoh Island residents by boat.
Fire hydrant cabinets installed to protect residents after a devastating house fire on Ham Ho Island as emergency services were delayed arriving by boat
Her daughter, who previously went to school by boat, also moved to the island to be closer to her parents.
Historically used as a retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London, visitors to Ham Haw traditionally stayed in tents, which were later replaced by wooden structures.
Many residents are now redeveloping these old buildings or demolishing them and replacing them with new ones.
But for Gorse-Williams, the island’s heart remains largely unchanged.
“You’ll find some of the kindest people in the world on this island. Everyone looks out for each other without complaint,” said Gorse-Williams.
“It’s changed a little bit over time, but it’s still full of the same great people.”
David and Jennifer Nield moved to Hamhoe Island eight years ago after moving from Walton-on-Thames and are currently rebuilding their home.
Without access to a van, Nield uses an electronic trolley to transport materials across a narrow bridge, which he says is the only trolley on the entire island.
David Nield has lived on Hamhoe Island for eight years and is currently renovating and rebuilding his home.
Located just 270 meters north of Shepparton Lock, Hamhoe Island is just 690 meters long and 100 to 120 meters wide.
The narrow bridge to the island is only accessible to residents who have paid the £350 island association fee.
Nield, who describes the island as “unlike any place I’ve ever been,” often does his weekly grocery run by boat.
He said: “Homes sell for millions of dollars here and celebrities like Peter Davison and Felicity Kendall live here.”
“Some people come here for weekends and some have vacation homes, but the vast majority of people who buy here end up moving because they love it here.”
For his wife Jennifer, it was difficult to get council approval for home renovations, but the magic of finding a secluded and tranquil place on the outskirts of London made every challenge totally worth it. It will be.
Nield said: “In the last eight years, I’ve never felt the need to walk across a bridge. There’s something really magical about bridges that makes you feel completely out of London.” he said.
Paula Gregory-Dade, director of letting agency Waterside Residential, specializes in selling riverfront, island and floating homes along the Thames.
The agent marketed properties to some of the richest and most famous people, selling a home to Kate Winslet on Desborough Island in Surrey and another to Nigel Planner in Eel Pie, Twickenham.
While many of these homes are often renovation projects that “need to be rebuilt,” Ms. Gregory Dade says they have an irresistible appeal that “many of my buyers wouldn’t want to live without.” I claim that there is.
Some residents take boats from the mainland to Pharaoh’s Island. Everyone who lives on the island has their own boat.
Without access to a van, Nield uses an electric trolley to transport home improvement materials across a narrow bridge to Hamhoe Island.
A ‘fairly modest’ home on the Thames Islands could sell for millions of dollars and has previously been bought by celebrities including Kate Winslet and Nigel Planner
She added: “Crossing a bridge is like going on vacation, leaving everything behind on the other side.”
Gregory Dade is putting his four-bed home on Ham Haw Island on the market this week and expects it to sell for between £1 million and £1.1 million.
She has also just completed a “fairly modest” property in Weybridge, Trinity Island, which sold for £1.1 million.
Regarding concerns about flooding, Ms Gregory Dade said: “The houses on these islands are built on stilts or brick piers, so they are higher than the water level. So, while the islands themselves can actually flood, the water mainly drains into these houses. It tends to seep underneath.
“If the island floods, traveling to and from home is a compromise, but that’s the price you pay for living on the Thames.”
