<Dt> List of places </Dt> <P> Eel Pie Island is an island in the River Thames at Twickenham in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London . It is situated on the Tideway and can be reached only by footbridge or boat . The island was known as a major jazz and blues venue in the 1960s . </P> <P> The name comes from the eel pies which were served by the hotel on the island in the 19th century . Eel Pie Island was earlier called Twickenham Ait and, before that, The Parish Ait; even earlier the island was three separate aits . </P> <P> A bridge to the island was proposed in 1889, but it was not until 1957 that one was completed . Today, the island has about 50 houses with 120 inhabitants, a couple of boatyards and some small businesses and artists' studios . It has nature reserves at either end, but there is no public access to these . </P>

How did eel pie island get its name