Kids in London - Great River Race and Twickenham Riverside Fun

We had been looking forward to the weekend for ages and the day broke bight and sunny so we were down at Twickenham Riverside – opposite Eel Pie Island – just after 1pm. There were already large crowds of people – couples, youngsters, seniors and lots and lots of families with kids – wandering around.

The music and happy laughs of the kids on the carousel could be heard from the High St and it was amongst some other rides and surrounded by stalls selling all sorts of goodies – sweets, tee shirts and jewellery and the RNLI, St John’s Ambulance Brigade and some other local charities were there too.

There was a gentle breeze and plenty of sunshine and the ducks and geese were making their presence felt too. The recently refurbished walk way was packed with people. The Barmy Arms was doing a brisk trade and there was a pop up bar outside as well as a good number of tables and chairs along the riverside – they should do this more often.

A stage had been built just behind the ramp to the river – providing an excellent view for everyone. The presenter announced that today was about “celebrating the riverside as a community, rather than a car park”. He received an enthusiastic cheer and the first of many bands (The Holte Brothers) started off their set with a rousing rendition of The Stone’s “You can’t always get what you want”. The connection with the nearby site of the Eel Pie Jazz and Blues club (now located above The Cabbage Patch pub) was not lost on the crowd.

We listened for a while before walking along the path and diverted into York Gardens to take a look at the pond and feed the squirrels. The large green in front of the marvellous Italian statues in the fountain had been roped off and kids were patiently queuing to spend £3 on a pony ride. Back to the path and we walked on down to The White Swan where the larger than usual crowds had filled the upstairs bar, the decking over the river and a fair amount of the pavement and road outside. The bunting added a party feel to the occasion.

We continued with our walk, with a number of other people strolling along. At Orleans House there was a large group of excited kids and their families gathered on the green outside to watch the free show of Bernie Bennett – a tight rope walker dressed in a superhero outfit who absolutely enthralled the kids with his daring and comic feats.

Marble Hill park was pretty much as it usually is – full of joggers and dog walkers (who always say Hello) and smaller kids filled the playground. What was really nice though was that the band playing on the other side of the river could be easily heard and there were clearly lots of tents and activities happening over there in front of Ham House. Apparently, the ferry is operating free of charge this weekend to ensure people get to enjoy both sides of the river.

I knew that the riverside celebrations were continuing in Richmond but at this point I turned and headed back to Twickenham. With glasses of Pimms we sat and listened to another band – featuring a female guitarist and a chap in a rather fetching striped blazer – watched all the people go by and chatted to some of the locals.

Sadly at about three the heavens opened, the rain arrived and many people departed. I am sure that many returned later in the afternoon to see the other bands and witness some of the 300 boats bearing 2,400 competitors. The fliers also mentioned ferret racing, tomahawk and axe throwing, archery and falcons – maybe they were on the Ham side.

Having been to the military’s Rhythm Force every year since it started I was interested to learn that this year it has moved from Kneller Hall in Whitton to the riverside and is taking place both Saturday and Sunday nights.

As the weather doesn’t look too bad you might go along to the riverside today – there’s stand up paddleboard races, the fairground and stalls, more bands on the Champions Wharf stage and the second night of Rhythm Force. Enjoy.

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