Situated in a tiny area on the River Thames in Surrey, a handful of intriguing little private islands lie virtually untouched.
Miles away from tropical beaches or sunshine, they are still home to some of the richest and most famous in the world, alongside ordinary Brits looking for an idyllic escape from the city.
While island life is beautiful, it also comes with risks. Because these small pieces of land are only accessible by boat or a narrow path, there is no guarantee that emergency services will be able to reach residents in time during a crisis.
For Andrew Philip, who lives in one of just 23 houses on Pharaoh's Island, Surrey, this unfortunate drawback is something he is all too aware of.
Mr Philip's dream riverside home, which he bought with his wife in 2001, was engulfed by flames in April last year and suffered serious damage as a result.
With no bridge connecting the island to the mainland, firefighters had difficulty gaining access to his home and both he and his family have lived in rental housing ever since.
As he held his 18-month-old baby, the island's youngest resident, in his arms, he said he felt “lucky” to have escaped.
As work continues to rebuild his home, he eagerly looks forward to returning to his beloved waterfront home with his young family.
Andrew Philip's dream riverside home that he bought with his wife on Pharaoh's Island in 2001 was engulfed by flames in April last year and suffered serious damage. His 18-month-old son is the youngest resident of the AIT
Pharaoh's Island, just 270 meters upstream from Shepperton Lock, Surrey, has 23 houses and can only be reached by boat
Unlike the door-to-door delivery service most Londoners are used to, parcels, including takeaways, are left across the river for residents to collect. Delivery people ring an old-fashioned bell to notify islanders of their arrival
Mr Philip added: 'It is slightly unnerving living so close to water, we have to be very careful and keep a close eye on him (his son).
“Every few years our lawns will be flooded. But it's a really nice community. Recently someone lost power on one of their boats and everyone messaged to try to help.”
Unlike the door-to-door delivery service most Londoners are used to, parcels, including takeaways, are left across the river for residents to collect. Delivery people then ring an old-fashioned bell to notify islanders of their arrival.
Just further along the riverbank, at the southernmost point of the Thames, is Hamhaugh Island, 690 meters long and between 100 and 120 meters wide.
It is a completely private piece of land with no public access. Residents pay an annual fee of £350 to the Island Association for the privilege of crossing a small pedestrian bridge, while a ferry also operates in the summer months.
Following a devastating house fire eight years ago, fire hydrants have been installed across the island to protect residents from the likelihood of delays in emergency services crossing the water.
David Gouth-Williams, 94, and his wife Jean, 90, are the island's two oldest residents and have lived in the community for more than 40 years.
David Gouth-Williams, 94, and his wife Jean, 90, are the two oldest residents of Hamhaugh Island and have lived in the community for more than 40 years
Packages are left by delivery personnel for residents on Pharaoh Island to pick up by boat
Following a devastating house fire on Hamhaugh Island, fire hydrant boxes have been installed to help protect residents due to delays in emergency services arriving by boat
Their daughter, who used to go to school by boat, has also moved to the island to be closer to her parents.
Historically used as a retreat for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of London, visitors to Hamhaugh traditionally stayed in tents which were later replaced by wooden structures.
Now many residents have redeveloped or demolished these former buildings to replace new construction.
For Mr Gouth-Williams, however, the heart of the island still remains much the same.
Mr Gouth-Williams said: 'You meet the nicest people in the world on this island, everyone looks after each other without complaint.
“It's changed a bit over time, but it's still full of the same brilliant people.”
David and Jennifer Nield moved to Hamhaugh Island eight years ago after moving from Walton on Thames and are currently rebuilding their home.
Unable to use a van, Mr. Nield carries his belongings across the narrow bridge via an electronic trolley, the only one, he insists, on the entire island.
David Nield has lived on Hamhaugh Island for eight years and is currently renovating and rebuilding his home
Hamhaugh Island is located just 270 meters north of Shepperton Lock and is only 690 meters long and between 100 and 120 meters wide
The narrow bridge to the island is only accessible to residents who pay an island association fee of £350
Mr Nield describes the island as “nowhere else I've ever been” and often does his weekly shopping by boat.
He said: 'Houses here can sell for millions and we have had famous residents such as Peter Davison and Felicity Kendal.
'We do get weekenders, people who have a second home, but the majority of people who buy here like it so much that they eventually move.'
For his wife Jennifer, the magic of finding a secluded slice of peace just outside London, despite the difficulties of getting council approval for home renovations, makes all the difficulties totally worth it.
Mrs Nield said: 'Over the last eight years I've never minded having to walk across the bridge, there's just something so magical about it that makes you feel completely outside of London.'
Paula Gregory-Dade, business director at rental company Waterside Residential, specializes in selling riverside, island and floating homes along the Thames.
The estate agent sells properties to some of the richest and famous and has even sold homes to Kate Winslet on Desborough Island, Surrey, and another to Nigel Planer on Eel Pie in Twickenham.
While the majority of these homes are renovation projects that “need to be rebuilt,” Ms. Gregory-Dade emphasizes that they have an irresistible charm that “many of my buyers wouldn't want to live without.”
A resident makes the crossing by boat from the mainland to Pharaoh's Island. Everyone who lives on the island has private boats.
Unable to use a van, Mr Nield carries his home renovation materials via electronic trolley across the narrow bridge to Hamhaugh Island
'Fairly modest' homes on the Thames Islands could sell for millions, with purchases previously made by celebrities including Kate Winslet and Nigel Planer
She added: 'Walking across the bridge is like going on holiday, you leave everything behind on the other side.'
Ms Gregory-Dade will this week move into a four-bedroom house on the Hamhaugh Island market, which she expects to sell for between £1 million and £1.1 million.
She has also just completed a 'fairly modest' property on Trinity Island, Weybridge, which sold for £1.1 million.
Addressing fears around flooding, Ms Gregory-Dade said: 'The houses on these islands are built on stilts or stone pillars, so above water level. So while the islands themselves can actually flood, the water tends to go mostly underneath these houses.
'When the island is underwater it's a compromise getting to and from your home, but that's the price you pay for living in the Thames.'
