ɹˈɪvɚmˌiːd wʌz ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli tˈuː ˈaɪləndz, ðə mˈʌtʃ smˈɔːlɚ, dˈaʊnstɹiːm pˈɑːɹt bˌiːɪŋ swˈɑːnz ɹˈɛst, sˈɪns ðə lˈeɪt twˈɛntiəθ sˈɛntʃɚɹi kəmplˈiːtli dʒˈɔɪnd, ɹᵻmˈeɪnɪŋ pˈɑːɹt ʌv ˈɛlmbɹɪdʒ æz ɪts fˈɪʃɪŋ ɹˈaɪts wɜːɹ ˈeɪntʃəntli kənfˈɜːd tə ðə pˈæɹɪʃ sˈaʊθ ʌvðə ɹˈɪvɚ.
Rivermead was originally two islands, the much smaller, downstream part being Swan's Rest, since the late 20th century completely joined, remaining part of Elmbridge as its fishing rights were anciently conferred to the parish south of the river.