Download GPX file for this article
51.5217-0.7177Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Maidenhead is a large riverside town in the county of Berkshire in the South East of England. It has a population of about 70,000 people (2019).

Understand[edit]

Maidenhead Rowing Club Boathouse

The constituency of Maidenhead and Windsor is the most affluent area of the UK, with house prices often exceeding those of Central London. Its position on the River Thames, surrounded by beautiful countryside, and close proximity to the capital, Oxford and Windsor is unrivalled making it a gold-mine for commuters. It is one of the safest Conservative seats in the UK; its member of parliament is Theresa May, who served as prime minister from 2016 to 2019.

Like many towns, Maidenhead has lost some of its historic charm, and the town centre is a little uninspiring and overdeveloped in some parts. It does however retain some handsome 18th- and 19th-century buildings. The area near the river, locally known as Maidenhead Riverside, however, is a picturesque contrast to this, offering stunning views of the Thames and Chiltern Hills, along with scenic walks towards the villages of Cookham, Marlow, Bray and Windsor and Eton.

Get in[edit]

By train[edit]

Maidenhead is on a major train line from London Paddington to Reading, with Reading also providing connections northward and good connections to The West Country.

The Elizabeth Line has connections to areas within West London such as Acton and Ealing en route to London Paddington. When it is fully connected sometime in either late 2022 or mid-2023, faster connections to eastern London will be provided.

  • 1 Maidenhead railway station. Maidenhead railway station (Q1801859) on Wikidata Maidenhead railway station on Wikipedia

By car[edit]

Maidenhead is situated on Junction 8/9 of the M4 providing fast connections both east to London and west to Wales. The town is bypassed by the A404, which connects Maidenhead to the M40 in 15 minutes, allowing good connections north.

By plane[edit]

Generally, London Heathrow Airport (LHR IATA) is the best flight connection from Maidenhead. It's a 20-minute drive down the M4 or a 1-hour train journey.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW IATA) is also popular, as flights there are often cheaper. However, the hour-long car journey is the best way for getting to the airport, so taxi costs may be incurred.

By taxi[edit]

There are a few reputable taxi services in Maidenhead like Maidenhead Taxis & Minibuses[dead link] U want & On-Time to name a few, they will pickup and drop off locally and nationally 24hrs a day.

Get around[edit]

There are good bus links, you can get most buses from Frascati Way in the town centre, or near Boots on the high street.

Maps & Guides of Windsor & Maidenhead page contains maps for the area, including cycle routes and local facilities.

See[edit]

Maidenhead railway bridge
  • 1 Maidenhead Railway Bridge. The famous railway bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Maidenhead Railway Bridge (Q737735) on Wikidata Maidenhead Railway Bridge on Wikipedia
  • 2 Boulter's Lock and Boulters Island (on the River Thames). A great spot for walks amongst relatively tame squirrels and views of Maidenhead Weir. There is also a small hotel/restaurant on the island. Boulter's Lock (Q4949736) on Wikidata Boulter's Lock on Wikipedia
  • 3 Maidenhead United FC, York Road SL6 1SF. "The Magpies" play in the National League, the fifth tier of soccer in England. Their York Road stadium, capacity 4000, is 200 yards east of the railway station. They've played there since 16 Feb 1871, making it the oldest continuously-used senior football ground in the world. Maidenhead United F.C. (Q1131109) on Wikidata Maidenhead United F.C. on Wikipedia
  • 4 Bray. A picturesque village. Bray (Q2924158) on Wikidata Bray, Berkshire on Wikipedia
  • 5 Jesus Hospital, 1923 High St, Bray, SL6 2AN. Grade I almshouses and chapel founded by William Goddard 1609 with his statue above the entrance Jesus Hospital, Including Chaplain's House, The Almshouses And The Chapel (Q17530192) on Wikidata w:Bray, Berkshire#Almshouse on Wikipedia
  • Cliveden House is a very upmarket hotel, see Sleep, but non-residents can visit the glorious gardens and woodlands, managed by the National Trust. They're open daily Apr-Oct 09:30-17:00, Nov-Mar 09:30-16:00, adult £10, child £5, NT free.

Do[edit]

41 Queen Street

Buy[edit]

The town centre is a fairly typical one, containing most high street shops, including Next, Virgin Megastore, Boots, Superdrug, Marks and Spencer, and TopShop.

Eat[edit]

Indian restaurants are well recommended. There are also decent Thai and Chinese restaurants.

One of Britain's culinary capitals, the village of Bray, is a very short distance away.

  • 2 Waterside Inn (Roux Brothers'), Ferry Rd, Bray, SL6 2AT, +44 1628 620691. A 3-star Michelin restaurant - the first outside of France. The Waterside Inn (Q7773745) on Wikidata The Waterside Inn on Wikipedia
  • 3 Fat Duck (Heston Blumenthal's), High St, Bray, SL6 2AQ, +44 1628 580333. At one time, the second best restaurant in the world according to Caterer magazine. The Fat Duck (Q2300919) on Wikidata The Fat Duck on Wikipedia

Drink[edit]

Surrounding villages and suburbs have some excellent ancient pubs. Non-chain bars include Phatz Bar, good for live music, as well as Coco bar.

  • 4 The Oak & Saw, Rectory Rd, Taplow, SL6 0ET, +44 1628 604 074. A hidden gem of a pub

In the lively village of Burnham:

  • 5 The Bee, 1 Britwell Rd, Burnham, SL1 8AG (at the top of Burnham High Street), +44 1628 665 789. This pub often has a live band on Saturday night
  • 6 Old Five Bells, 14 Church St, Burnham, SL1 7HZ (opposite St Peters Church), +44 1628 604 276. A Greene King Pub
  • 7 Garibaldi, Burnham, SL1 7JB (opposite Burnham Hall and the war memorial), +44 1628 668 971. Half-timbered pub circa 1762 predates the Italian soldier and politician Garibaldi Public House (Q26617480) on Wikidata

Sleep[edit]

  • 1 Holiday Inn Maidenhead/Windsor, Manor Ln, SL6 2RA, +44 871 942 9053. The hotel in Maidenhead also provides leisure facilities including a pool, spa, and gym. Holiday Inn Maidenhead/Windsor (Q105082682) on Wikidata
  • 2 Hurley House, Henley Rd, Hurley SL6 5LH, +44 1628 568500. Smart stylish hotel and restaurant. B&B double £150. Hurley House (Q26411055) on Wikidata
  • 3 Cliveden House, Cliveden Rd, Taplow SL6 0JF, +44 1628 668561. It's odd that National Trust membership doesn't get you a free stay at this gob-smacking luxurious Italianate pile. There's a long list of famous names who've stayed, such as Meghan Markle in 2018, and that list can only continue to grow in what is a top-class hotel for comfort, service and cuisine. Mere mortals (NT or otherwise) are also welcome along with their children and dogs. B&B double £500. Cliveden (Q2464716) on Wikidata Cliveden#Cliveden_House_Hotel on Wikipedia

Stay safe[edit]

Maidenhead has a low crime rate, but drug addicts can be seen begging on the High Street during daytime.

Go next[edit]

  • Go north to Cookham — a picturesque village between Maidenhead and Marlow. It is a traditional English country village with a hugely popular gallery and excellent but expensive restaurants. Trains link Cookham with Maidenhead every hour. Or walk there along the river, about 1 hour.
  • Go south east to Windsor, bypassing Bray, on the A308
  • Go north west to Marlow following the A404— another attractive Thames-side town.
Routes through Maidenhead
ReadingWokingham  W  E  SloughLondon
ReadingTwyford  W  E  SloughLondon
ReadingTwyford  W  E  SloughWest London



This city travel guide to Maidenhead is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!