A Mysterious Hippie Haven Open Just 8 Days a Year

🎨 Though it’s a private island, Eel Pie Island’s summer open days have just passed (twice a year—summer & winter, two weekends each, totaling 8 days). In a nutshell: the most fascinating thing about this place might just be its history and name. 😏 🎨 Currently, the island is dotted with artists’ residences and studios, giving off a slight hippie community vibe—but not overwhelmingly so, as it’s not really a tourist hotspot. 🎭 🏝️ Eel Pie Island, a tiny isle on the Thames near Twickenham, was pretty much "isolated" until 1957 when a footbridge was built—before that, you could only reach it by boat. The island’s name comes from the local eel population in the 19th century and the eel pies served at its inn (fun fact: Eel Pie is actually one of Britain’s old-school delicacies, still sold in some century-old shops—though I’ve never tried it… not sure I dare. 😝). 🖼️ At some point, hippies took over the place. Some stayed for months, others planned to live there till the end, and artists rented studios to work in peace during the day. Being part of this community would probably be fascinating—it’s not overly commercial, but a quick visit won’t let you grasp its true essence. 🤔 🎵 Back in the 1960s, Eel Pie Island had its glory days—bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd performed here. For about five months in 1963, The Rolling Stones played every Wednesday! Many still consider this little island one of the birthplaces of British underground music. 🎸🔥 The next open days for Eel Pie Island are still unknown, but trust me—you’re not missing too much. That said, Twickenham’s charming streets might just tempt you to finally muster the courage to try an eel pie while you’re there! 😆 #LondonLife #LondonTravel #HiddenGems #Artists #DayTripsFromLondon #UrbanExploration #OffTheBeatenPath #TravelTips #CityAdventures