Maidenhead is one of the most affluent areas of the UK, with house prices often exceeding those of Central London. Its position in the River Thames countryside, with close proximity to the capital is unrivalled making it a gold-mine for commuters.

Maidenhead is famous for it excellent travel links. It is situated on the main rail and road routes between London and Reading and lies on the famous Great Western Railway, famously designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.  The town centre is only a short walk from the train station with all shops, restaurants and leisure facilities within a 5 minute walk. There are good bus links, you can get most buses from Frascati Way in the town centre, or near Boots on the high street.

The town centre has a range of over 300 shops from the well known shops you would expect to many independent stores for that something different. The Nicholsons Shopping Centre offers lots of choice under one roof and along with the rest of the town ensures Maidenhead offers you all you need in a convenient and compact location.

Maidenhead boasts excellent leisure facilities including a cinema, the Magnet Leisure Centre and Tenpin Bowling. For an opportunity to discover the past of Maidenhead the newly relocated Heritage Centre is a must with regular exhibitions and talks on the towns past. For those wishing to explore the arts and culture you can discover the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, just a 5 minute drive away from the town centre. Norden Farm offers a packed programme of theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, music and film as well as the Norden Farm Café Bar which offers an excellent selection for a pre-show meal. 

There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the town centre whether you want a three-course meal or a quick snack. The selection includes pubs, cafes, Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants. 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 is currently the second best restaurant in the world according to Caterer Magazine (2009) 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.

Maidenhead has a packed event programme all year round with highlights including Maidenhead Carnival, Maidenhead at the movies outdoor cinema and the annual Christmas Lights Switch-on. Regular events include the monthly Farmers’ Markets and visiting French and Italian Markets.

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 newly-refurbished restaurant and bar whilst Boulter’s Island remains a firm favourite with its bird aviary, beautiful gardens and great views of Maidenhead weir. Riverside gardens is very popular with families with its extensive lawns, park and crazy golf, all completed with a visit to the famous Jenner’s café.

Maidenhead events

Maidenhead Town Partnership

Local news about Maidenhead