Maidenhead

About

Maidenhead is part of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. With great rail connections, Maidenhead town centre is only a short walk from the train station with all shops, restaurants and leisure facilities within a 5 minute walk. The town centre has a range of over 300 shops including The Nicholsons Shopping Centre which offers lots of choice under one roof. Maidenhead Heritage Centre is a must with regular exhibitions and talks on the towns past and for arts and culture visit the Norden Farn Centre for the Arts just a 5 minute drive away from the town centre. Just down the road is one of Britain's culinary capitals, the village of Bray. This village contains the Roux Brothers' Waterside Inn as well as Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck which has held the accolade 'best restaurant in the world' and Giancarlo Caldesi's Caldesi in Campagna.

The town's nightlife has both independent and well known pubs and clubs including venues with live music, relaxed wine bars, traditional pubs and funky clubs. The Lloyds Wetherspoons branch in Maidenhead (The Greyhound) is featured in a CAMRA drinking guide and offers lovers of ale a great and ever changing line up of taps.

A short walk from the town centre takes you to the river with its 18th-century road bridge and Brunel’s famous ‘Sounding Arch’ featured in Turner's painting of ‘Rain, Steam and Speed’. A walk along the riverside offers amazing views of the Thames and great walks towards the villages of Cookham,  Marlow, Bray and Windsor and Eton. Boulter’s Lock, which was immortalised in Gregory’s 19th-century painting, boasts a restaurant and bar  whilst Boulter’s Island remains a firm favourite with its bird aviary, beautiful gardens and great views of Maidenhead weir. For families, Riverside gardens is always popular with its extensive lawns, park and crazy golf, all completed with a visit to the famous Jenner’s café. Take a walk along the Thames Path from Maidenhead to Windsor, passing under Brunel’s Bridge, a distance of approximately 8 miles. Find out more…

Top 5 Things to Do in Maidenhead

• Visit family friendly Ray Mill Island near Boulters Lock, with a picnic area, a café in the summer and an adventure play area suitable for children between 3 and 8 years.
• Enjoy Maidenhead's stunning scenery while cruising along the river on a self-drive electric boat or classic rowing boat. Hire from The Little Green Boat Company on the Island.
• Discover Maidenhead’s fascinating past at the Maidenhead Heritage Centre where there are regular exhibitions, talks on the town’s history and the 101-yr old GWK car built in Maidenhead has come home. It is attracting a great deal of interest and is on display throughout the summer, except for special days when it will be displayed at outdoor events such as the Maidenhead Festival (20/21 July 2024). The wartime HQ of Air Transport Auxiliary was established at White Waltham and the Heritage Centre offers an opportunity to fly a spitfire simulator from White Waltham or Eastleigh airports! 
• For those wishing to explore the arts and culture you can discover Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, a hidden gem with a 200 seat cinema.  Choose from a packed programme of theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, music and film; the Norden Farm Café Bar offers an excellent selection for a pre-show meal.
• Take a boat trip to Oxford or Wallingford (check website for sailings) with Salters Steamers Boats depart from the Upper Reaches Hotel.
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Where to Stay

Situated by the hilltop village of Taplow, just 2 miles from Maidenhead, Cliveden is one of the world’s finest luxury hotels, set in 376 acres of magnificent formal gardens and parkland with panoramic views of the Thames.

Visitor Information: Royal Windsor Information Centre, The Guildhall, Windsor | +44 (0)1753 743900, [email protected]