Maidenhead

Maidenhead is a large riverside town in the county of Berkshire in the South East of England. It has a population of just under 75,000 people.

Understand

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 the Prime Minister, Theresa May).

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

By train

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

Maidenhead is to be connected the Crossrail in 2019 which will provide faster connections to East London.

By car

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

By plane

Largely, 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 for travellers, as flights there are often cheaper. However, the hour car journey is the best way for getting to the airport, so taxi costs may be incurred.

Get around

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
File:Maidenhead Railway Bridge
  • 🌍 Maidenhead Railway Bridge. The famous railway bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. (updated Dec 2015)
  • 🌍 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. (updated Dec 2015)
  • 🌍 Maidenhead United Football Club, York Road. It is the oldest continuously used senior football ground in the world. (updated Dec 2015)

Do

Buy

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

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.

  • 🌍 Waterside Inn (Roux Brothers'), Ferry Rd, Bray, SL6 2AT, ☎ +44 1628 620691. A 3-star Michelin restaurant - the first outside of France.  
  • 🌍 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.  

Drink

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

Sleep

Rooms to rent in Maidenhead - Thieves Garden self-catering apartment for short term lets. Thieves Garden provides well-equipped accommodation.

Go next
  • 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.
  • Marlow — an attractive town at the NW.
Routes through Maidenhead

Reading ← Wokingham ←  W  E  → Slough → London
Reading ← Twyford ←  W  E  → Slough → London


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