The Largest Privately Owned Island On The Thames Is Up For Sale

While private islands tend to conjure up images of sun-soaked shores and palm trees, these water-locked plots of land can come in all shapes, sizes and climes. And though it may sound less romantic than a tropical paradise dropped somewhere in the middle of the Pacific, the biggest private island on The Thames isn’t a bad proposition either… 

A Wind In The Willows Home

Wake-up, take out the kayak, and do a lap around your very own private island as the sun creeps out behind the morning mist – there are certainly worse ways to start your day. And where better to launch your boat than from the bank of your very own private island? Despite the bad PR it gets from its more polluted (and corpse-ridden) London end, the rural meanders of The Thames are perfectly pleasant. Of all the private islands which dot the river, including the secret hideout of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, this one is the largest. 

Step Inside

Located in the village of Cookham Dean, this six-bedroom (mainland) home is connected to the 4.5 acre private island via a private bridge. Inside, you enter through an oak-panelled reception room reminiscent of a Scottish hunting lodge, complete with an open fireplace, stained glass windows and panelled ceiling. With its Victorian details on full display, the entrance hall flows into the drawing and dining rooms located in the oldest part of the house – interlinked by oak double doors and framed by exposed beams, decorative pillars and open fireplaces. Meanwhile, the study, which sits to the right of the front door, overlooks the river from a large picture window. 

On the first floor of the main house, four bedrooms unfold beneath gentle eaves. The principal suite is complete with a balcony off the dressing room – with Art Deco notes carved into the wooden fireplace and marble hearth – while large bay windows face the river. A further ensuite bedroom, a turreted vanity nook, and a spacious family bathroom complete this level. Beyond the main house lies a cottage within the grounds, currently configured as a double garage with an adjoining studio and sitting room, which opens onto a terrace overlooking the river. 

Outside, the gardens flow into croquet lawns, a paddock, orchards and flower garden, while the heated pool and pool house offer spots for relaxation. Three bridges connect the two halves of the island, two of them hidden among the trees, leading to yet more secluded gardens, statues tucked between hedges, and pathways lined with palms, figs, bamboo and tropical planting. The property also benefits from extensive mooring and fishing rights, with private mooring piles set along the banks.

The History

Before its life as a family home, the private island was once part of an ancient royal fishery dating back to Tudor times. While The Thames is most often associated with the grey sludge of London, this more rural stretch of the river inspired the tweed-wearing creatures of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind In The Willows. This bit of The Thames also still hosts the traditional Swan Upping event each year, a five day royal ceremony in which officials check the health of all the swans along the River Thames. As well as a family of swans, the island’s other inhabitants include two muntjac deer, red kites and migrating geese. 

Where Is It?

Cookham Dean is located on the river in Berkshire, close to the nearby village of Cookham (minus the Dean), and the towns of Marlow and Henley-on-Thames. The nearby Maidenhead station offers fast links into London Paddington.

This property is on the market for £4,450,000. Find out more at sothebysrealty.co.uk