Draft:Thames Eyot Boathouse

Thames Eyot Boathouse is a Grade II listed deep-water dock within the private Thames Eyot apartment complex overlooking the River Thames at Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thame s. It was built by Frederick Chancellor as part of the 1870s redevelopment of Poulett Lodge, the former riverside mansion on the site. It is currently closed for access.

History
Poulett Lodge was one of large villas built on Twickenham Riverside, alongside Cross Deep, Radnor House, Richmond House and York House. The first building on the site was built in the late 17th century for Sir Thomas Skipwith of Merthingham. It can be seen in Peter Tillemans' 1725 Prospect of Twickenham. When this house burned down in 1734, the ruined property was redevelopment by Dr William Battie nine years later.

Battie’s building was in the neo-classical style, with an accompanying meadow and garden. It went through various owners during the 17th to 19th centuries, most notably the 3rd Earl Poulett who gave his name to the building. During the early 19th century, additions were made to the grounds including the loggia and grotto, to the south of the property.

William Henry Punchard, an engineer with Punchard, Taggart, Lowther & Co., bought Poulett Lodge in 1870, hiring Frederick Chancellor to carry out a major redevelopment. Built in the Italianate style, Punchard spent £70,000 on the rebuilding of Poulett Lodge. This included establishing the boathouse and ornate balustrade fronting the river.

Following to the agricultural depression of the early twentieth century, many of the large houses along the Twickenham riverside were put up for sale by owners who could no longer support them. Poulett Lodge went through a number of short-term owners until the 1920s when it was converted into a social club, known as the Newborough Club. The club was used for activities such as fishing, boating and dances.

In 1930, local butcher Ernest Skull bought Poulett Lodge. Skull demolished the villa building in its place Thames Eyot, a serviced apartment block, with only the loggia, grotto, boathouse and balustrade surviving. The apartments, no longer serviced, remain to this day.

Architecture
Thames Eyot Boathouse is the best condition private deep-water dock surviving on the upper tidal Thames. It is built of stock and red-brown brick with stone dressing. The entrance is via a large arch, ending in capitals of an unidentified river god. The boathouse is reached by steps from the balustrade terrace and the remains of a staircase are visible at the back of the building. The terrace was described in the early twentieth century as tessellated tiles, however this is no longer accessible.

Present Day
Thames Eyot Boathouse was Grade II listed in 2011. It has been included on Historic England’s At Risk Register due to its more condition and continuous decay.

Habitats & Heritage, a south-west London based charity, are currently working with the freeholders to restore the boathouse.