A walk along the Maidenhead Riverside. and Lord Desborough.

and Lord Desborough. At the foot of the bridge are two an information board shows a map and details about the
This walk is approximately 2.75 miles. A beautiful stroll plaques, one giving the history of the bridge, the other a island. Near the new toilet and refreshment block can be
highlighting the historical aspects of Maidenhead riverside reminder of the flood of 1947 when the water extended as seen remains of overheated bricks from local
far as you can see towards the town. On the corner of kilns. Next comes a picnic area, at which point
This walk starts at the free public car park at the Guards Club Bridge Gardens is the Ada Lewis Trough, originally situated you begin to hear the roar of the weir. The weir
Park (access is from Oldfield Road via Oldacres) following the outside the Riviera Hotel where it provided water for the is now in front of you with an information board
route of the Thames Path for part of the way. The picturesque horses and the cabmen. There was a bridge toll-house here nearby. Before the lock was built, there was a
bridge here, pictured on the front cover, is open during the until 1903, when the bridge was freed and the jubilant flashlock here where barges had to be hauled
summer months outside the swan breeding period. townspeople threw the gate into the river. up through a gap in the weir, or shoot downstream. Both
The Guards Club provided recreation for were dangerous operations and barges often sank.
military officers from the depots at Beyond Bridge Gardens at the former boathouses you need
Windsor and Pirbright. Plaques record to cross the road. After a short distance you are able to Return from the island, over the bridge and take a look at
the creation of the park for the Silver cross back over the road to the path running alongside Boulters Lock. The first pound lock with gates on the
Jubilee in 1977. The turret on top of the Chandlers Quay, towards the upper Thames was built on the Taplow side of the river in
shelter came from a boathouse formally on river. Walk past the Thames 1772. It was replaced by one on this site in 1825. There is
the island. Leave by the park gates into Guards Hotel which was built for the a stone commemorating the opening of the present lock
Club Road. Beyond Oldfield House, there is access to the visitors who thronged Maidenhead in 1912 by Lord Desborough, an olympic sportsman who
river at the Reitlinger Open Space, which is named after the before the first World War. was Mayor, and later the High Steward of Maidenhead.
art collector whose collection was kept in the house. Cross the road again to the promenade
Proceed to the Thames Riviera Hotel and turn right over the from which you can watch the river, the boats and the Beyond the Lock, on the left is Boulters Lock car park which
Maidenhead Bridge and then right again into River Road. swans. Seen through the gap after the first island, Bridge could be an alternative starting point. You can now return
Beyond is a terrace of houses with balconies known as Eyot, the boatyard and gas holder are reminders of the along the riverside, cross the road or use the footpath
Gaiety Row, used by the lady-friends of the guards who commercial use of the river. Maidenhead gasworks, opened under Maidenhead Bridge and return to Guards Club Park.
were not allowed to stay at the club opposite. in 1835, was sited there to receive supplies of coal by barge.
You now come to Brunels railway bridge built in 1838 and After a short distance you will see the view of Boulters Lock
which has the largest and flattest brickwork spans ever made famous by Gregorys painting of the scene there on
built. If you stand under the bridge and clap your hands, you Ascot Sunday 1895. The iron bridge in the painting was
will find out why it is called the Sounding Arch. replaced by a stone one in 1912. Cross the bridge, taking
care for traffic, towards Boulters Lock Hotel, previously the
Retrace your steps, cross Maidenhead Bridge then turn home of the miller who sieved or bolted flour. Notice
right. As you re-cross it you can see a disused their interpretation of the Ascot Sunday painting and
building, formerly Skindles Hotel, where royalty also a green telephone kiosk by the door. This
took strawberry teas on the lawn during its previously stood at the lock where a red kiosk
Victorian heyday. Look left to see the recently was thought inappropriate. It is one of the few
developed pathway under the bridge linking to surviving No.1 models first introduced in 1926.
the Thames Riviera Hotel. Beyond on the top
of the hill are the turrets of Taplow Court Pass the hotel, turn right along a footpath over
where previous residents included the Grenfells the sluice gates for Ray Mill and on to Ray Mill Island, where Verdant beauty at Ray Mill Island
Guards Club Bridge Bridge Gardens
Original leaflet designed and researched by Maidenhead Heritage Trust.
control and their waste collected for disposal in the bins provided.
walk and take your litter home with you. Dogs should be under
Please take care not to disturb wildlife living around your chosen
Telephone: 01865 810224 www.nationaltrail.co.uk
Trails Office, Environment and Economy, Holton, Oxford OX33 1QQ.
For further information on the Trail please contact The National
also visit www.maidenhead.cc/walks for more ideas.
or contact the Rights of Way Team on 01628 683800. You can
please visit www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/prow_index.htm
For further information on public rights of way in the Borough,
Or visit the website at www.rbwm.gov.uk
633200 01628 Braywick Performance
628686 01344 Charters Leisure Centre
842194 01753 Windsor Leisure Centre
777003 01628 Magnet Leisure Centre
Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead BodyZone Gyms.
book your introductory workout please contact one of the Royal
To find out more about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and to
Contact Details
Source: www.aboutwalking.com
Calories burned per mile Speed
212 146 165 187 128 111 96 mph 7.0
190 130 147 167 114 99 86 mph 6.0
169 123 138 154 108 92 77 mph 5.0
Riverside
151 110 122 138 97 82 69 mph 4.5
129 94 105 118 81 70 59 mph 4.0
Maidenhead
130 93 107 119 83 71 59 mph 3.5
132 95 108 120 83 72 60 mph 3.0
A walk along
138 100 112 124 88 74 62 mph 2.5
145 105 120 133 93 80 65 mph 2.0
100 72 81 90 63 54 45
in Kilograms Weight
how many calories per mile you can burn!
By looking at the chart below you can work out
Healthy Lifestyles
 Ray
Mill
Island

5
RAY MILL ROAD EAST Glen
Island

ST
D EA
ROA
ILL
YM
RA Boat House

OAD
EAD R
RAY M
3
RAY L

6
EA

Paper Mills
ROAD

RAY P
ARK A

MILL LANE
VENU
E

7
NE
L LA
OAD

ROAD

BERRY HILL
MIL

AR K
RAY P
EAD R
RAY M

Maidenhead 8
Bridge
1
BATH R
BRIDGE ROAD OAD (A
4)
OLDFIELD ROAD

ES START
OLDACR

Legend Picture Key

Walk 1 1 Bridge seen from Guards Club

2 Bridge Gardens
Roads 3 Jenners Cafe
4 Ray Mill Island Old Bridge
Built up area 5 Ray Mill Island Wier
6 Boulters Lock (Edward Gregory)
Car Park 7 View down Thames
8 Maidenhead Bridge
9 Brunels Sounding Arch