Maidenhead

48 hours in...
...Maidenhead
Top 5 must see places
Edwardian Maidenhead had something of a risqué
reputation. Well in to the 1920s, Maidenhead was the place
where fashionable London motored to let its hair down.
Today, the town – the largest in the Royal Borough – still
retains the charm that earned it the soubriquet “Jewel of the
Thames” but has shed its decadent image, retaining just a
touch of glamour as home to many media and show business
personalities.
The River Thames at Maidenhead is one of the many
attractions of the town and wider area. A riverside walk
offers amazing views of the Thames and great walks to the
villages of Cookham, Marlow and Bray. Explore the
towpaths and walkways, or take to the water on a French
Brothers cruise. www.boat-trips.co.uk
Shopping & Dining From pedestrianised High Street and
traditional streets to the Nicholsons Centre, a modern,
undercover shopping mall. The convenience and pleasant
atmosphere of Maidenhead Town Centre makes it a very
attractive place to visit whatever you are looking for.
www.enjoymaidenhead.com
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Offers the best in
entertainment and the performing arts. State-of-the-art
facility with Courtyard Theatre/Cinema, Studio Theatre,
Gallery, Cafe Bar and Norden's Restaurant.
www.nordenfarm.org
Maidenhead Heritage Centre A superb permanent
exhibition "Grandma Flew Spitfires!" tells a forgotten
World War II story of courage, skill and sacrifice. Also
displays and exhibitions of local history: Hammer Horror
films, the great engineer Brunel and the heyday of riverside
Maidenhead in Victorian and Edwardian times.
www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk
Getting to Maidenhead by car
Maidenhead is easy to access from the M4 at junction
8/9 or from the M40 via junction 4 at Marlow and
along the A404.
www.maidenhead.gov.uk
Maidenhead Riverside Guided Walks Led by
professional Blue Badge Tourist Guides, tours take place
every afternoon, in all weathers, from July 28th to August
11th 2012 during the period of the Olympic Rowing and
Canoeing events at nearby Dorney Lake.
http://www.windsorwalks.co.uk/tours_and_talks/
maidenhead_riverside_olympics_walk/
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48 hours in Maidenhead
Day one
Day two
Flying the Spitfire simulator at Maidenhead Heritage Centre has
been described as "the best fun ever". It is part of a superb
permanent exhibition called "Grandma Flew Spitfires!" which
tells a forgotten World War II story of courage, skill and
sacrifice - the story of Air Transport Auxiliary and its civilian
pilots who ferried over 300,000 warplanes between factories and
RAF airfields. These pilots from the UK, the USA, Australia,
Canada, Poland and even Chile were all doing their bit for the
war effort, and without them victory might never have been
achieved. Discover their amazing story.
Take to the water with French Brothers Boats on a
round trip to Windsor. Cruising from Maidenhead in the
morning you will pass the houses of the stars, pass
through Boveney and Bray Locks, past Oakley Court and
Monkey Island. The boat continues past Windsor
Racecourse, with spectacular views of Windsor Castle
and Eton College.
Take a leisurely walk down to Maidenhead riverside where you
can enjoy one of the most beautiful stretches of the River
Thames. From Brunel’s Sounding Arch to Boulters Lock there’s
much to see and do with hidden gems such as Ray Mill Island
and Riverside Gardens offering lots of fun for families.
After a leisurely lunch meet your blue badge guide outside the
Thames Riviera Hotel for a special riverside walk during the
period of the London 2012 Games lasting just over an hour.
Discover why Dorney Lake was chosen as the venue for the
London 2012 Olympic Rowing and Canoeing events. Hear
about the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Rowing events and about
famous local residents including Lord Desborough who lived at
nearby Taplow Court and who organised the 1908 Olympic
Games.
Alternatively families can enjoy more energetic activities
at Maidenhead TenPin Bowling or Magnet Leisure
Centre and for film buffs there’s the superb eight-screen
Odeon Cinema right in the heart of Maidenhead.
Should you wish to explore further afield a trip to
Cookham won’t disappoint. This pretty Thameside
village is a mix of rustic workman’s cottages and grand
Georgian and Victorian houses with a High Street
packed with excellent restaurants and pubs. The Stanley
Spencer Gallery on Cookham High Street is unique,
being the only gallery in Britain devoted exclusively to an
artist in the village where he was born and spent most of
his life.
Finish off your day with the ultimate dining experience. Just a
short distance from Maidenhead town centre is Bray. Now
synonymous with exquisite dining experiences and boasting
three of Heston Blumenthal’s restaurants, The Fat Duck, The
Hinds Head and The Crown as well as the famous French
restaurant, The Waterside Inn.
Where to stay
Elva Lodge Hotel A familyrun hotel offering a relaxed
atmosphere with outstanding
customer service.
www.elvalodgehotel.co.uk
Thames Riviera Hotel A
family-friendly 3 star hotel on
the banks of The Thames at
Maidenhead.
www.thamesriviera.com
Holiday Inn MaidenheadWindsor A modern hotel
offering full leisure facilities
including pool, sauna and gym.
www.holiday-inn.co.uk/
maidenheaduk
www.maidenhead.gov.uk
Frederick’s Hotel,
Restaurant, Spa
Once you walk through the
doors of Fredrick's Spa Hotel In
Maidenhead, relaxation and
indulgence is our gift to you.
www.fredricks-hotel.co.uk
Bridge Cottage Guest House
A Victorian cottage offering
cosy, homely accommodation.
www.bridgecottagebb.co.uk
Sheephouse Manor
A charming 16th-century
farmhouse with large gardens.
www.sheephousemanor.co.uk
Where to eat
Boulters The best of modern
British cuisine and professional
service in our Riverside
Brasserie offers a wonderful
dining experience surrounded by
river views.
www.boultersrestaurant.co.uk
Francesco’s Restaurants are
the perfect place to relax and
enjoy mouth-watering Italian
food. www.francescos.uk.com
The Blue River Café At the
Thames Riviera Hotel the Blue
River Café offers a relaxed and
informal ambience with a
delightful riverside location.
www.thamesriviera.com
Caldesi in Campagna A rural
idyll for Italian fine dining
inspired by Giancarlo’s rural
upbringing in Tuscany.
www.caldesi.com/
caldesi_in_campagna
Jasmine Peking in Maidenhead
has long been the most
established and distinguished
oriental restaurant in
Maidenhead.
www.jasminepeking.co.uk
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