Magpie Island

Magpie Island is a small river island in the Thames located between Aston and Medmenham villages in Berkshire. It sits above Hurley Lock and naturally divides the waterway, with shallow banks and wooded growth covering much of its surface.

The island was part of the Culham Court estate during the 1700s, with the main shipping route passing through what is now a backwater channel. This shift in navigation later reduced its role as a transportation point on this stretch of the river.

The island connects to local traditions through its name, which stems from the regular presence of black and white magpies that inhabit the area.

Reaching the island requires a boat, and Thames water levels determine whether its banks are easily accessible. Visitors should exercise caution during high water or strong currents.

The waters surrounding this spot once contained eel bucks, traditional fishing traps that were a familiar sight along this stretch of the Thames for many generations. These devices reveal how local fishing practices shaped daily life on the river.