You don’t have to go all the way into London to either walk or take a boat trip along the Thames. The beautiful county of Berkshire sit’s right along the river and has everything you could want from a mini break, from quaint villages, independent boutique shops and boat trips to admire the riverside properties.
Berkshire is a county in south-East England and is full of diverse places to visit from bustling towns to rolling hills and winding paths through woodlands to riverside pubs. If you are looking to explore the countryside, eat in some fancy restaurants and shop in some lovely towns that are full of wonderful shops, then I would definitely suggest a weekend along the Thames.
We stayed at The Swan at Streatly which was a great base to explore the wonderful villages along the Thames, as it’s just 6 miles off the M4 near Reading, so wherever you are coming from it’s easy to get to. The hotel is very stylish and has all the best modern furnishings and great interior touches throughout their rooms, bar and restaurant. We has the most wonderful welcome from the staff and in our room there were some yummy treats to have with your tea and coffee and the most amazing smelling bath products available (you can even buy them to feel like you are still there when you are back home.)
We ended our first day with a glass of fizz in their bar which was lovely as you could sit and overlook the river (unfortunately the weather had not been on our side so we weren’t able to sit outside and really enjoy being by the water.) We then had dinner in the Coppa Club Restaurant which was fantastic, we sat in the glass conservatory that overlooks the river which was a beautiful setting for dinner. We enjoyed the Datterini Tomato Bruschetta (£6), The Coppa Burger (£13.50) and Tender Stem Broccoli (£4.50) for our mains and of course a bottle of Rose wine. The following morning, we made the walk back downstairs for breakfast which again didn’t disappoint. I had the Buckwheat and Rye Pancakes with berries, granola, seeds, and coconut yoghurt (£9.50) which was full of flavour and a great way to start my morning.
Where to visit
Bray
Are you a big foodie and like trying some of the finest restaurants out there? Then a day or even a weekend in Bray may be just what you are looking for. From the outside, it may seem like a typical, quaint, British Village, however don’t think it has nothing to offer, as its home to not one, not two, but three of Heston Blumenthal’s restaurants and another three-star Michelin establishment. They all offer a unique experience, whether you want riverside dining at The Waterside Inn, an experience filled with curiosity, discovery and adventure at The Fat Duck, or a traditional pub with standout English dishes with a twist at The Hinds Head. We ate at The Crown which is more of a relaxed dining experience, compared to the others, and has a pub garden tucked at the back, where you can sit for hours and drink the day away.
Not technically Bray, but 15 minutes away is a restaurant with the most incredible views, The Boathouse at Boulters Lock. It has ceiling to floor glass doors overlooking the Thames and have seating outside if you are lucky to visit on a warm day. But whether you are in the comfort of inside or enjoying the sunshine on their decking, you will definitely enjoy sipping a cocktail or eating their delicious food.
Goring and Streatly
If you base yourself at The Swan, then you will be staying in Streatly anyway and only have to walk over the bridge to then be in Goring. They are both picturesque villages with sweet houses, village greens and churches which make them even more picture perfect. Goring has a few pubs, a tea room and a couple of home shops to mooch in too, so you can spend some time exploring both villages and walking up and down the winding paths around them. You can also walk along the river side here and get a boat trip to go up and down the Thames.
Henley-on-Thames
Known for their annual Regatta that attracts thousands of visitors to watch the rowing races, Henley is a wonderful town that sits perfectly on the river. It has a mixture of high street shops and chain restaurants but also has some cute independent shops that line the main high street. You can walk on both sides of the river so if you are wanting to explore the local countryside then this could be for you. If you are looking for a slower pace, then head to the Hobbs of Henley for a tranquil cruise up and down the river which I can really recommend.
Hurley
Hurley is a sleepy village nestled between Henley and Marlow and has some wonderful riverside walks just waiting for you to explore. We parked up along the main street into the village and walked through the hidden footpaths to the river and then followed it along both ways. It was full of charm with people going up and down the river on their boats, and people were having picnics on the grass areas that follows the river which is a wonderful idea on a sunny day. The village does have a few pubs if you are looking for a drink or some food, such as The Olde Bell but if you are looking for a little luxury in your life then check out Danesfield House Hotel. It is situated on the other side of the river but offers fine dining, a spa and rooms and suites to stay the night.
Marlow
This vibrant Georgian market town is made up of historic streets and an abundance of boutique shops, restaurants, and bistros which all add to the town’s unique charm. The town’s most famous landmark is the suspension bridge which spans the River Thames and joins the counties of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire together. This is another great town to explore due to it being surrounded by vast countryside as well as wonderful shops, so you really do get the best of both worlds here. For the best views, head to Macdonald Compleat Angler for a drink right on the river front.
Windsor and Eton
A trip along the Thames wouldn’t be complete without going to Windsor to see the Queen. I would recommend parking in Eton as it is usually a bit quiter and this way you also get to walk over the bridge to Windsor with the Castle leading the way for you. As you walk through Eton, the high street is filled with luxurious boutiques from pet shops, antiques to luxury clothes shops, that are willing you in by their beautiful window displays and elegant entrances. Once by the river their is an abundance of restaurants sitting along the river which is the perfect location for lunch.
Windsor has a mixture of shops and places to eat but the best this to do, is to walk around the castle, and if you want to see inside the castle you can book tickets to explore it further. If that isn’t for you the head to The Long Walk for the most amazing views and walk up to the castle.
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