Strand on the Green was named in 1353 (strand meaning shore) and has a long history. Industries included malt-houses, repair yards, barge-builders and wharves. The City Barge, The Bell and Crown and The Bulls Head were licensed by the mid-18th century. The City Barge was renamed in 1807, when it was changed in honour of the Lord Mayors City barge moored over winter nearby.

Oliver's Island is a small eyot in the river Thames opposite Strand-on-the-Green. It acquired its name after rumours that Oliver Cromwell used the island as a hide-out and held military councils at the Bull's Head pub during the English Civil War.