Cholmondeley islet is a small, uninhabited islet located in the mouth of the River Thames in southeast London. It is part of the Shooters Hill World Heritage Site and forms part of the Port of London. The islet is in Essex County and is situated 2.5 nautical miles southeast of Charlton Lock.
Contents
History
The islet was first mentioned in the Domesday Book as Grondelai, meaning `Grinding Island’. It formed part of a manor held by Roger de Busli. By the middle of the 16th century it had been granted to Sir Hugh Willoughby and subsequently passed down through several generations of his family. In 1579 Queen Elizabeth I granted the island to Richard Cholmondeley, 1st Baron Delame re, in order to reward his service during the Irish Rebellion of 1579. In 1622 Cholmondeley sold the island to Thomas Strangways who held other properties on what is now known as St Paul’s Island at that time. The Strangways family remained Anglican landowners until 1964 when they sold their properties in Charlton and Kidbrooke Park (part of Shooters Hill).
Climate
The islet has a maritime climate with mild summers and cold winters. The average January temperature is . The average July temperature is . Rainfall varies from a high of at the observation point on the island to an extreme low of at “Settlement Point”, downriver.
The climate data was collected via 14 weather stations located on or near Islet and includes: March:
highest 2001; least 1975, 1990, 1989 and 1998. high 1959; lowest 1981. Rainfall 2009-10: Highest 2014 (1st March – 1 May); lower 2006(12 April -19 July), 2008 (21 September). Surprisingly low 2007 on 5 October., Ditto 1977 and 2011 when receiving no rain at all from 10 November to 30 December.(records prior to 1976 are not complete.)
High
Culture
The remains of a windmill remain evidence that the island was once used for milling grain. The island is also home to several nesting seabirds – colonial petrel, black-headed gull and Pacific ratite. It has a regular population of rabbits. The remains of the mill are located at “Windmill Point” and is today in ruins. A traditional method to cook fish was to place it into the rotating blades above a fire. The current tower is flimsier than its precursor, but still has significant energy (its characteristics have not been deduced). One of these rotators can spin completely around in roughly one minute’s time as witnessed by crossing outboard on two occasions.
Politics
Islet also has a traditional ownership structure with each household having undisputed use of their allocated share and responsibility for its upkeep. The island’s communal gathering space, where ceremonies are held to mark important events such as births and deaths, is located at “Gathering Point”. A permit is required to visit the island.
A short distance from Islet lies nearby Gunners Hill which was once an exclusive private estate opening onto the sea (and an historic site). Designated by the Graffiti Guild of British Columbia in mid-1986, “The Rock” continues to elicit discussion and controversy.
Bodies are buried on land owned by a number of Island neighbours with permission from family members or Islanders who perform their own ceremonies when the time comes (one man is even cremated at sea off Islet; his ashes returned few years later for burial close to home.)
Government services
Islet is serviced by a limited number of government employees who provide emergency services, maintain roads and property, and handle the occasional request for police assistance. The Islanders manage most things themselves with little or no outside help. They communicate using the sign language of their own design: “Islet Sign Language”.
A house was built on Islet in 1901, supplied by C.J. Dey for a fisherman named John Allan Macdonald (pronounced Mahk-no) O’Rhyne who wanted something more substantial than driftwood to live aboard his boat at all times but couldn’t afford one rent free from government or stakeholder groups; he remained there
Tourism
Islet is a popular tourist destination with visitors coming to enjoy its unique culture and environment. Visitors can hike or bike the island’s trails, kayak in the surrounding waters, take picnics on the beach, or simply relax in one of the many comfortable chairs overlooking the ocean. There are also limited accommodation options on Islet – either privately owned cottages or backpacker hostels.
Transport
There is no regular public transport service to or from Islet. Visitors must either take a boat or fly into the neighbouring island of North Pender and then travel by ferry to Islet. Free WiFi is available on Islet and does not require an account or password.
Energy
None Off grid, green energy supplies run the facility for water and electrical needs. Supplies also come from local windmills although these are used only during times of peak electricity demand when off-island power supply fails to meet island’s needs (such as a thunder storm). Islanders have been experimenting with biofuels locally since 2003 which has been helping to decrease dependency on outside resources.
Water supply: water is supplied by the deep sea cold weather springs which are pumped at low tide when there is no wind and the tides allow it access through piping under rocks 100 meters in length using main pumps, this facility powered by a small steam-generator (which can produce up to 300 KWH per day) – traditionally maintained as island’s sole power source until 30 years ago increasing reliance.
Cuisine
Islander’s cuisine is based around fresh and local ingredients which are either cooked on an open fire or baked in an earth oven. Dishes include fish, shellfish, eggs, fruit and vegetables as well as traditional island breads, pastries and cakes made from sweetened flour dough. Some popular dishes include North Pender Oyster Stew (made with potatoes, oysters and onions) lobster bisque (made with melted butter and a blend of local spices), crab cakes and spiny lobster (cooked on an open fire with onions, chives and garlic).
Islanders are able to grow many types of fruit trees due to the natural climate allowing for long summers and mild winters. Tomatoes, oranges, bananas, guavas as well as melons can be found year round at local markets though locally grown corn is also popular among visitors returning from overseas. In 2013 Islet began.
Conclusion
Cholmondeley islet is a tiny, uninhabited island located in the middle of the Strait of Gibraltar. It is not just an insignificant piece of land, but also a potential hotspot for marine research. The small, uninhabited island is home to a large population of marine mammals and bird species, including monk seals and seagulls. The island’s isolation from other land has made it an important breeding ground for these animals.
FAQ
Where Is Cholmondeley Islet Located?
Cholmondeley islet, located in the centre Strait of Gibraltar island group.
How Small Is Cholundeley?
The Cholodnoydly’s land area (1480m²) represents 1.1% of UK territory. The total population density on this tiny little island is around 50 inhabitants per square kilometre! Be amazed by these statistics made from raw data that covers all inhabited objects currently, including
How Big Is Cholmondeley Islet?
Cholmondeley islet (just over 2 hectares) represents less than 0.2% of Gibraltar’s area, but it harbours more than half the Gibraltarian population…
Does Cholmondeley Have Any Natural Resources?
Cholundeley does not contain any valuable minerals or water reserves, however its isolation and marine environment make this an important breeding ground for a number of marine mammals and bird species.
How to Get to Cholmondeley Islet?
There is no regular ferry service to Cholmondeley. However, you can access the island by boat from Tarifa or La Línea.
Is the Cholmondeley Islet Island Dangerous?
There is no danger to visitors to the island, which is a protected nature reserve.
Can I Stay in the Cholmondeley Islet Island?
No, currently there is no accommodation on the island.
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