Summary of Highlights
Located in one of England’s wealthiest boroughs, Maidenhead is a charming market town situated on the Thames River, just upstream from Windsor.
As the constituency of Prime Minister Theresa May, Maidenhead features a well-maintained town center that underwent redevelopment following World War II.
The town’s allure is significantly enhanced by its riverside, where visitors can admire an iconic railway bridge engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an elegant 18th-century road bridge, and the scenic Boulter’s Lock.
This location provides access to Ray Mill Island, which hosts a delightful park complete with a café and playground.
The Thames River plays a central role in your activities while in Maidenhead, whether attending boat excursions, engaging in water sports, traversing the Thames Path, or enjoying day trips to Windsor, Cliveden House, or the nearby village of Cookham.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Maidenhead:
1. Boulter’s Lock
Situated just moments from the town center, Boulter’s Lock is one of the most picturesque locations along the Middle Thames.
This lock, established in 1912, was built to replace a previous structure from 1772, alongside an earlier installation dating back to the 16th century.
Adjacent to the lock, you’ll find the upscale pub and restaurant, The Boulter, which features a balcony offering views over the river.
If you’re curious about how vessels traverse the Thames, you may enjoy watching narrowboats and yachts as they navigate the lock.
Upstream, at the northern end of Ray Mill Island, lies the weir, which helps regulate the river’s level.
This area is a favored site for white-water kayaking during the summer months when a flume is temporarily installed.
2. Ray Mill Island
By crossing the bridge at the lock, you will reach Ray Mill Island, a lovely public park nestled in the river.
The name “Ray Mill” is derived from a flour mill that was constructed on the island in 1726 and demolished in the 1920s.
Since the 1950s, the borough has owned the island, which features various facilities in a charming environment.
During the summer months, the café, Island Piazza, serves refreshments, allowing visitors to enjoy their drinks at picnic tables by the water.
Children aged three to eight can enjoy an adventure playground, while aviaries and a guinea pig pen provide additional excitement.
3. The Sounding Arch
Situated at the southeast end of the town, this structure boasts immense historical significance.
Designed by the renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel during the 1830s for the Great Western Railway, it was the flattest and widest brick arch bridge globally at that time.
Each of its arches spans 39 meters yet rises only seven meters above the water.
Remarkably, the bridge still serves the railway, proving Brunel’s engineering prowess, even as modern trains are considerably heavier than those of his era.
The name “Sounding Arch” derives from the unique echo produced by Brunel’s innovative design.
The bridge was depicted by J. M.W. Turner in his famous painting ‘Rain, Steam and Speed – Great Western Railway’ from 1844.
4. Maidenhead Heritage Centre
Though compact, the Maidenhead Heritage Centre is rich with engaging exhibits that capture the town’s history.
The permanent exhibition features a Roman skeleton discovered near Bray from the 5th century, insights into the Profumo affair and its ties to Cliveden, as well as the history of the Vanwall Formula One team that operated in Maidenhead during the 1950s.
Additionally, the exhibition, “Story of Maidenhead,” covers the town’s development during the Victorian era and its significance as a filming location for Hammer Horror films in the mid-20th century.
Notably, it includes a Spitfire simulator, allowing visitors to virtually pilot over locations such as the Isle of Wight, Windsor, or contemporary London.
5. Cliveden House
This esteemed property, managed by the National Trust, is located just a short distance upstream from Maidenhead.
The mansion is perched atop an Italianate terrace, standing 40 meters above the eastern bank of the river.
Constructed in 1851 by Charles Barry, renowned for the Houses of Parliament, the house showcases an amalgamation of Palladian and Cinquecento architectural styles.
Cliveden once served as a residence for Nancy Astor, the first female MP in the UK during the 1920s and 1930s. Additionally, it was the site of the initial meeting between John Profumo and Christine Keeler at a gathering in 1961.
While the house now operates as a luxury hotel, the National Trust conducts guided tours from March to October, during which visitors can hear intriguing stories about renowned guests such as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and the Queen Mother.
On the grounds, you can enjoy the Water Garden, rent a boat for a row on the Thames, and attempt to navigate the yew maze composed of more than 1,000 trees.
6. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
This dynamic venue for live entertainment is situated on the site of an old dairy farm and comprises two historic buildings: a long barn from the 18th century and a Georgian farmhouse.
Plans for an arts venue in Maidenhead date back to the 1970s, and this site was finalized in the 1990s.
Since its establishment in 2000, the award-winning Norden Farm Centre for the Arts has presented a diverse array of performances, including comedy, drama, dance, and live music, alongside a variety of classes and workshops.
These activities encompass jewelry making, Pilates, yoga, and life drawing.
Moreover, the center hosts film screenings and live broadcasts or recordings from the Royal Opera House and National Theatre.
7. Cookham
Located just one train stop or a ten-minute drive away, Cookham is a charming and affluent village along the Thames River.
Despite its small size, Cookham has been home to several notable residents, including Guglielmo Marconi, Kenneth Grahame (author of ‘The Wind in the Willows’), and the 20th-century painter Stanley Spencer.
Spencer, who was born in Cookham, received his education in Maidenhead and later passed away in Cliveden.
Cookham held deep significance for Spencer, and following his death, the former Wesleyan Chapel was transformed into a gallery for his artwork.
The collection at the gallery features over 100 paintings, which are rotated in periodic exhibitions.
Spencer attended services at this chapel as a child and famously painted ‘Ecstasy in a Wesleyan Chapel’, drawing upon childhood memories three decades later.
After visiting the gallery, consider taking a leisurely walk through Cookham Moor, a picturesque area filled with streams and maintained by the National Trust.
8. Dorney Court
This early Tudor manor house is available for tours every afternoon during August, as well as on both May Bank Holidays.
The striking half-timbered structure, built around 1440, has seen minimal changes since 1500. Dorney Court has been owned by the Palmer family since the 16th century and continues to function as a vibrant family residence.
The approach to the house features ancient chestnut and ash woodlands and a pond from the Medieval era.
Tours provide insights into a series of elegantly panelled rooms, such as the parlour, great chamber, and the magnificent vaulted great hall.
Visitors will also see priest holes, a cellar, buttery, pantry, intimate passageways, and the delightful old kitchen.
Some spaces have been modernized, including the dining room from the time of William and Mary and a brightly colored bathroom from the 1970s.
Guests can relax at the tearoom located in the kitchen garden, and a shop offers products such as golden honey from the estate’s aviary.
9. Ockwells Park
Opened to the public in the 1980s, Ockwells Park formerly belonged to the Ockwells Manor Estate.
To the west of the park lies a 15th-century half-timbered manor constructed from oak sourced from Windsor Forest, which once extended as far as Maidenhead.
The park features a conservation area with signs detailing its wildlife.
Depending on the time of year and chance, visitors might see meadow brown butterflies, green woodpeckers, cuckoo flowers, and common blue damselflies.
Recharge your energy at Andrea’s Café, which includes a soft play area for young children.
10. Thames Path
For those who prefer exploring on foot, many attractions on this list, such as Cliveden, Cookham, and Dorney Court, are easily accessible via the Thames Path.
This National Trail stretches 184 miles along the river, from its source near Cirencester to the Thames Barrier in London.
You can reach Windsor within half a day while passing by Dorney Lake, which hosted the rowing and canoeing events during the 2012 Olympics.
For visitors staying in Maidenhead, the walk upriver to Bourne End via Cookham is particularly convenient, as trains provide quick return access.
While on the path, you’ll enjoy beautiful views across the water to the Cliveden Estate just before entering Cookham.
11. Boat Trips
From Tuesday to Saturday between May and September, the French Brothers cruise company offers round trips on the Thames from Maidenhead to Windsor.
This is an enjoyable method to explore the royal town, departing from Maidenhead Promenade at 11:00 AM and arriving in Windsor 90 minutes later.
After a leisurely three hours to explore the town center and Great Park, including a potential visit to the castle, you can return aboard a boat leaving at 3:45 PM.
The journey along the Thames is narrated, making the experience even more engaging as you learn about the history along the banks.
Along the way, you will notice the charming village of Boveney, beautiful country houses like Oakley Court and Monkey Island Estate, along with Windsor Castle and Eton College.
12. Jubilee Clock Tower
Arriving in Maidenhead by train, one of the first landmarks you encounter after leaving the station is this clock tower featuring Historicist design with neo-Gothic and Baroque elements.
This monument, completed in 1899, commemorates Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee, celebrated two years earlier.
If you’re interested in details, the tower stands 14 meters tall and is crowned with decorative merlons and turrets adorned with tracery.
Just below, four clock faces are positioned to face each of the cardinal points.
Upon closer inspection, the clock faces reveal a subtle diamond pattern that serves as a discreet nod to the jubilee.
13. BCA Zoo
The Berkshire College of Agriculture houses a diverse collection of live animals and has recently begun inviting the public to visit on designated open days during the summer.
Reservations must be made in advance for either morning or afternoon slots through the college’s website.
Essential for the college’s animal husbandry courses, the zoo is fully accredited, featuring skunks, porcupines, lemurs, otters, armadillos, meerkats, and monkeys.
A reptile house is also available, and keepers conduct educational discussions, handling displays, and feeding demonstrations.
For an additional fee, you can engage in a primate or meerkat encounter.
14. Taplow Lake
This section of the Middle Thames is a prominent hub for water sports.
A series of lakes situated east of Maidenhead provide ample opportunities, and just a few miles upriver lies Henley, known for its esteemed regatta.
You can engage in various activities at Taplow Lake, only a couple minutes from Maidenhead.
Engage Watersports, located on the shore, offers courses and introductory sessions for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and wake kayaking.
For those with prior experience, the company also rents out equipment, including vessels and wetsuits.
At the lakeshore, you will find the newly opened Lake House Cafe, which features a terrace overlooking the water.
Further afield is Bray Lake, recognized as the premier watersports center in Berkshire, ensuring opportunities for dinghy sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, open water swimming, and fishing.
15. Hitcham Farm Ice Cream
Located nearby in Burnham, Hitcham Farm Ice Cream is a family-operated business situated in the countryside.
The farm produces a variety of delectable ice cream flavors, including rhubarb and custard, vanilla pod, caramel toffee crunch, honeycomb, and Belgian chocolate.
The uniqueness of the ice cream lies in the use of milk sourced from the farm’s own herd of Ayrshire cows, which can often be seen grazing in the fields alongside sheep, goats, ducks, geese, and chickens.
Produced naturally, the flavors of the ice cream change with the seasons, and you can also purchase freshly laid goose, chicken, and duck eggs at the farm shop.
