Detail from Samuel Scott’s sketch of Hogarth and friends embarking precariously upon the trip to Kent (British Museum 1847,0320.1) 

7pm Tuesday 28th March

Val Bott, chair of the William Hogarth Trust, presents an illustrated talk on travelling by river in the 18th century, when the Hogarths had homes in central London and in Chiswick. 

The Hogarth family acquired their second home in the country in Chiswick in 1749. It had a small carriage and a stable, but it would still have been convenient for them and their household servants to use Thames wherries to and from their London home in Leicester Fields (Leicester Square today). Hogarth knew the river well. For example, he and 4 friends embarked upon a 5-day tour of Kent in May 1732, which they faithfully recorded for posterity as their “Peregrination” in text, maps and sketches.”

A waterman at the causeway below St Nicholas, Church Street, Chiswick (Hounslow Local Studies & Archives)

Val’s account will use contemporary maps, prints, details of the watermen’s water taxi services and archives.

Doors open 6.30pm and refreshments will be on sale before the talk, which will last approximately one hour. Admission to the talk is free for members of Chiswick Pier Trust and £5 for non-members. Limited tickets will be available on the day so to be sure of your place do pre-book here.