Places to visit and things to do with the family around Marlow

Stuck for something different to do? Browse below or click on a category for some inspiration.

FAMILY WALKS

Local routes for country walks with the kids

ACTIVE & SPORT

Trampolining, climbing & all things active

Where to go when it's raining near Marlow

FAMILY WALKS

Local routes for country walks with the kids

ACTIVE & SPORT

Trampolining, climbing & all things active

Be inspired

In this section:- Places to visit by type

Family Trips out

Rainy Day Inspiration

Free Parks & Play areas

Mini Trips – 1hr fillers

Walks for Little Legs

Child friendly places to eat

Soft Play

Places to eat with outside play areas

Swimming

Sport & Exercise

Family Outings

Odds Farm

Odds farm is a large children’s farm and play centre. In addition to all the animals there are many different play areas offering varied play both inside and outside. There is a sandpit area with interactive play toys, several climbing/swing/slide areas, ride on tractors as well as indoor slides and a large soft play area. […]
Henley River and Rowing Museum

Henley river and rowing museum is, as the name suggests a museum dedicated to rivers and rowing as well as the history of Henley. Whilst the museum itself is interesting, the reason for listing it here is that there is a great permanent Wind in the Willows exhibition. This brings to life the much-loved story […]
Dinton Pastures Country Park

Dinton Pastures Country park covers over 335 acres. The Park is open daily throughout the year.offering a variety of habitats including 7 lakes, 2 rivers, and meadows. Three public bird hides provide secret viewing of the waterfowl, with one specially adapted for wheelchair users. The highlight of the park for young children is the childrens […]
Windsor ‘Changing of the Guard’ and Park trip

This trip makes an ideal FREE ‘pre school’ age child half day filler. There are lots of variants, so this is just one suggested route that a friend took me on which avoids the crowds in front of the castle. The trip includes a play in the Windsor town center park, seeing the guards trooping […]
Dinosaur Escape Adventure Golf

Dinosaur escape is a dinosaur themed adventure golf course approx 25mins drive from Malow. The dinosaurs are really large and very well presented, many move and even roar! It’s very well kept and well worth the trip there if you fancy something different. In addition to the mini golf there is a separate soft play […]
Mill Meadows Henley

Mill Meadows is the name of the lovely Henley playground and park near the town centre which is over looks the River Thames. There are two play grounds, one more traditional metal equipment and rubber matting flooring style and the other a wooden adventure playground with zip wire.The playgrounds themselves are set amongst some landscaped […]
Stonor Park

Stonor park is a beautiful country estate near Henley. It’s still lived in by the Stonor family and has been for the last 850 years! The house and grounds, gardens and views are magnificent, making it a wonderful place to hang out and explore, especially on a sunny day. At certain times of the year […]
Beale Park

Beale Park is an outdoor wildlife park about 40 mins drive from Marlow out past Reading. There is plenty enough to keep young children occupied for most of the day between the animals, play areas, large outdoor paddling pool, sand, train ride and other exhibits. Where/When Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NW The open […]
Bekonscot Model Village

Bekonscot Model Village and Railway is the world’s oldest and original model village, opening for the first time in 1929. With over 80 years of history, huge model railway, 1.5 acres of well kept gardens and finely detailed model buildings Bekonscot is a great day out for everyone. Where Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PL […]
The Look Out & Discovery Centre

Visiting The Look Out is a great day out, with the main attraction being the hands-on science exhibition which has over 90 hands-on activities. The Look Out is set in 1000 hectares of woodland which is owned and managed by The Crown Estate. In addition to the indoor and outdoor play areas there is mountain bike routes, bike hire […]

FREE Play Parks

Wycombe Rye

Wycombe Rye is a large area of grass and park land just beyond High Wycombe town centre. There are two children’s playgrounds in the park, lots of flat grassland ideal for playing football, a café, stream and even a little waterfall and stepping stones ideal for water play in the summer.The Rye is also home […]
The Look Out & Discovery Centre

Visiting The Look Out is a great day out, with the main attraction being the hands-on science exhibition which has over 90 hands-on activities. The Look Out is set in 1000 hectares of woodland which is owned and managed by The Crown Estate. In addition to the indoor and outdoor play areas there is mountain bike routes, bike hire […]
Flackwell Heath Park

Flackwell heath park is a large open space with onsite parking, a kids play area and a great natural hedge area which kids love hiding inside. From a personal perspective, i think this park is best suited to children aged about 3 and half upwards. Once they can climb the big slide themselves they will […]
Black Park

Black Park covers over 500 acres of woodland and heathland. There are over 10 miles of well surfaced track, a large lake, cafe and woodland adventure play area. There is also a Go Ape on site and lots of organised activities running in the park. We find the park great for our 1yr old and […]
Pinewood Adventure Park

Pinewood Park is part of the Pinewood Centre which offers lots of different kids afterschool clubs from Judo and gymnastics to scouts and dance. It takes roughly 25 minutes to drive there from Marlow. There are two adventure playgrounds, one wooden rustic style and the other more traditional. We had thought that the more traditional […]
Riverside Gardens and Park in Maidenhead

Riverside gardens and play area is a large open space that includes a large woodchip covered play area, sandpit, zip wire and playing field. There is a also a cafe, crazy golf and easy parking. There is plenty of open space for the kids to run around too. Where Riverside Gardens and play area, […]
Mill Meadows Henley

Mill Meadows is the name of the lovely Henley playground and park near the town centre which is over looks the River Thames. There are two play grounds, one more traditional metal equipment and rubber matting flooring style and the other a wooden adventure playground with zip wire.The playgrounds themselves are set amongst some landscaped […]
Windsor ‘Changing of the Guard’ and Park trip

This trip makes an ideal FREE ‘pre school’ age child half day filler. There are lots of variants, so this is just one suggested route that a friend took me on which avoids the crowds in front of the castle. The trip includes a play in the Windsor town center park, seeing the guards trooping […]
Denham Country Park

Denham Country park covers 69 acres of land and includes a nature reserve, two rivers and a stretch of the Grand Union Canal. There is an adventure playground, cafe and lots of footpaths and tracks suitable for walking, buggies or bikes. Along the marked nature trail track there are 10 brass rubbings which our kids enjoyed. […]
Higginson Park Marlow

Higginson Park is the main park in the centre of Marlow just near the bridge. The park has a large children’s playground, a great cafe, public toilets and a skate park which is open all year. There are many trees and large expanses of lawn with formal flowerbeds and a brick in grass maze, created […]

Family Walks

Shillingridge Woods Walk

These woods sit between the Frieth and Marlow which is a particularly hilly area with great views, making it a great family walking route. We parked at the end of Mundaydean Lane in a layby, before following the footpath into the woods. Our boys loved the woodland – it has lots of excellent places for […]
Marlow Rugby Club River Walk or Cycle

This is a short circular family walk in Marlow that follows the Thames path in the direction of Bourne End rather than from Higginson Park. It’s suitable for walking, cycling and taking push chairs. That said, in the wetter months the longer version of this route (see map below) get’s a bit too muddy for […]
Fingest Hanger Wood Family Walk

This circular walk starts at The Chequers Inn pub in Fingest out towards Cadmore End through Hanger Woods. The route is just under 3 miles and enjoys the best of the beautiful Chiltern Hills countryside. Need to know Distance: approx. 3 miles although this can be shortened or lengthened as needed. See the map below. […]
Frieth Village Short Walk

This walk starts in Frieth village and does a short loop through the joining fields, into a small bit of woodland before returning on a circular loop. The walk finishes with walking through Frieth village itself. It is such a quiet village that we didn’t find it a problem walking the kids down the road.When […]
Burnham Beeches

Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve is apparently one of the best examples of ancient woodland in Britain. Famed for its beech and oak pollards – many of which are more than 400 years old. This is a really enjoyable and safe place to take the kids out to explore the countryside. Its great because the […]
Bisham Woods

Bisham woods is on the way towards Cookham when travelling from Marlow. These woods offer all of the usual natural woodland features you’d expect in the woods from logs to walk along and dens to rope swings. There is also an abundance of sticks and trees to hit them against! You can park for free […]
Maidenhead Thicket to Stubbings Nursery

This family walk is a short one ideal for little legs that can’t travel too far but the Thicket itself has more walks that you can explore. See the picture of the map below. Park in the Butterfly Trail car park in Pinkney’s Green, cross over the A404 on the footbridge and follow the path through […]
Little Marlow Sailing Club Walk

There are several routes you can take starting from the Spade Oak Car park in Little Marlow, according to the length of walk you want to do. The map below shows a longer route but there is a cut through you can take to shorten it.This route is nicest in the summer months as in […]
Marlow Common Woods

Marlow Common is a an area of woodland near Marlow town center that makes a perfect place for a walk and play for children of all ages. The area was an old WW1 training ground so there are lots of bunkers for exploring as well rope swings, dens and an abundance of fallen logs. There […]
Marlow Bottom Woods Walk

There is a stretch of woodland that sits between Marlow and Marlow Bottom. These are great for exploring with interesting trees to climb, a fab rope swing, fields and great spots for blackberry picking when they are in season. On the map below I’ve suggested one route but you can make this walk as long […]

Rainy Day Ideas

Playtrain

Playtrain is a large soft play center in High Wycombe, near the Handy Cross roundabout. It probably has the most varied selection of soft play entertainment near by. There is a large 2 storey slide area suitable for bigger kids, a 2 storey area suitable for slightly smaller kids plus a completely seperate area for […]
The Living Rainforest

The Living Rainforest is an indoor activity involving walking through large green houses filled with tropical plants and animals. Paths wind through the rainforest environment passing lots of animal, plant and insect exhibits. The rainforest is home to 700 species of plants and animals including lizards, birds, butterflies, monkeys, tortoise and snakes. Where? Hampstead Norreys, […]
The Look Out & Discovery Centre

Visiting The Look Out is a great day out, with the main attraction being the hands-on science exhibition which has over 90 hands-on activities. The Look Out is set in 1000 hectares of woodland which is owned and managed by The Crown Estate. In addition to the indoor and outdoor play areas there is mountain bike routes, bike hire […]
Henley River and Rowing Museum

Henley river and rowing museum is, as the name suggests a museum dedicated to rivers and rowing as well as the history of Henley. Whilst the museum itself is interesting, the reason for listing it here is that there is a great permanent Wind in the Willows exhibition. This brings to life the much-loved story […]
Windsor Swimming Pool

There are pools to suit all the family’s needs and a variety of sessions, there is something for everyone. There is a 25 metre 6 lane Fitness Pool, Leisure Pool with wave machine, Giant Slides, water features and Spa Pool. The shallow area provides interactive water play and a mini toddler slide. There also a […]
Coral reef water world

Coral Reef is one of the largest interactive water worlds in England. It has a great range of water play facilities for all ages including a toddler zone with shallow water, mini slides and a pirate ship. There are various other Jacuzzi style pools for bigger kids and adults, an exploding volcano, lazy river and […]
Ockwells Park and Play Area

Ockwells park is a public open space and children’s play area with a privately run cafe and soft play. The play area is publicized as being suitable for 3 to 16yr olds although i also find it great for my 2yr old. There are large open playing fields and a small climbing wall and fitness […]
Ladds Garden Village

Ladds Garden Village is a garden centre on the A4 Reading road before Hare Hatch, about 10mins from Marlow. It’s a place i’d driven past for years without realising that inside are some great mini attractions for pre-school age children and animal lovers. The garden centre itself is not as ‘shiny’ as the Wyvales and […]
Flowerland

Flowerland is just on the other side of Bourne End. It has everything you’d expect at a garden centre with the addition of a small but well filled reptile centre and an aquatics centre. My littlen’s shriek with excitement at seeing the snakes every time! You can also feed the Carp fish (you can buy […]
Play and Bounce at Wycombe Leisure Centre

On Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings Wycombe Leisure Centre sets up a large bouncy castle style structure in the sports hall aimed at toddlers and young children. Children up to 10 yrs of age are permitted and trampolines are available on Mondays during term time. Where/When Wycombe Leisure Centre. Monday and Thursday 9.30am, 10:30am, 11:30am […]

Soft Play

Ruby and Red’s Soft Play

Located in the Rush Trampoline Park High Wycombe, Ruby and Red’s Soft Play is a giant space-themed soft play adventure perfectly designed for children aged 1 – 10. It’s filled with slides, climbing areas, look-outs, ball pits, swings and more.
Play and Bounce at Wycombe Leisure Centre

On Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings Wycombe Leisure Centre sets up a large bouncy castle style structure in the sports hall aimed at toddlers and young children. Children up to 10 yrs of age are permitted and trampolines are available on Mondays during term time. Where/When Wycombe Leisure Centre. Monday and Thursday 9.30am, 10:30am, 11:30am […]
The Jelly Lounge

It’s understandable that our worlds revolve around our little ones, but this means that adults tend to be forgotten about, especially in places designed for children. The Jelly Lounge is a space where families can enjoy time together.
Ockwells Park and Play Area

Ockwells park is a public open space and children’s play area with a privately run cafe and soft play. The play area is publicized as being suitable for 3 to 16yr olds although i also find it great for my 2yr old. There are large open playing fields and a small climbing wall and fitness […]
Playtrain

Playtrain is a large soft play center in High Wycombe, near the Handy Cross roundabout. It probably has the most varied selection of soft play entertainment near by. There is a large 2 storey slide area suitable for bigger kids, a 2 storey area suitable for slightly smaller kids plus a completely seperate area for […]
Jungle Mania

This is a large soft play facility in Bourne End. There is an enclosed football/netball area, under 4’s area with a slide and big 2 storey climbing frame/zone with a row of slides. The cafe serves hot and cold food and includes a free childrens dinner in with the entry at certain times of the […]
Odds Farm

Odds farm is a large children’s farm and play centre. In addition to all the animals there are many different play areas offering varied play both inside and outside. There is a sandpit area with interactive play toys, several climbing/swing/slide areas, ride on tractors as well as indoor slides and a large soft play area. […]

Active & Sport

Hurley Lock

Hurley Lock is a lock on the river Thames just past Temple Lock and before Hambledon Lock. The unique position of the lock means that it situation between a clump of wooden islands close to Hurley village. On one of the islands there are picnic facilities and a gradual incline into shallow water making it […]
Bike ride to the Olde Bell pub in Hurley

This is one of our favorite family activities on a nice day. We’ve done this route with our boys from them sitting on the back of our bikes, to on tag alongs and now our 5yr can ride the route on his own. From Higginson park we pick up the tow path and cycle all […]
Holmers Farm Recreation Ground Skate Park

This recreation ground with skate park is near the John Lewis in Cressex. There is easy free parking right by the skate park and a football area on both hard surface and grass.The skate park itself seems to hit the spot with our boys (5 and 8 years old). They loved the big space and […]
Windsor Park Family Bike ride

Windsor Great Park is vast and provides excellent easy safe off road cycling amongst beautiful countryside. This is one easy to follow family bike ride route that we have done several times. The map below shows you roughly where we went, but it’s pretty easy to navigate without a map as you follow a tarmac […]
Henley Skate Park

Henley skate park is a large concrete skate park tucked just behind the main town centre. It has its own large free car park so it’s really easy to rock up, chuck the kids out the car – then make yourself comfy on one of the benches which over looking the skate park (whilst the […]
Marlow Rugby Club River Walk or Cycle

This is a short circular family walk in Marlow that follows the Thames path in the direction of Bourne End rather than from Higginson Park. It’s suitable for walking, cycling and taking push chairs. That said, in the wetter months the longer version of this route (see map below) get’s a bit too muddy for […]
Harleyford Lane Family Bike Ride

This is one of our go-to easy family bike rides when we want a hassle free/quick trip out. It heads up Pound Lane and along the side of the Henley Road for just a few metres before going down Harleyford Lane and back along the tow path into Higginson Park. Check out the route below. […]
Dinosaur Escape Adventure Golf

Dinosaur escape is a dinosaur themed adventure golf course approx 25mins drive from Malow. The dinosaurs are really large and very well presented, many move and even roar! It’s very well kept and well worth the trip there if you fancy something different. In addition to the mini golf there is a separate soft play […]
Denham Country Park

Denham Country park covers 69 acres of land and includes a nature reserve, two rivers and a stretch of the Grand Union Canal. There is an adventure playground, cafe and lots of footpaths and tracks suitable for walking, buggies or bikes. Along the marked nature trail track there are 10 brass rubbings which our kids enjoyed. […]

Toddler Trips

Bisham Woods

Bisham woods is on the way towards Cookham when travelling from Marlow. These woods offer all of the usual natural woodland features you’d expect in the woods from logs to walk along and dens to rope swings. There is also an abundance of sticks and trees to hit them against! You can park for free […]
Grove Riding School

Grove Riding School sits between Marlow and High Wycombe and is home to a very large number of riding stable and privately owned horses. I’m listing it here as a ‘mini trip’ with your young child to see and experience the horses rather than as a place to come and ride (although it is a […]
Ladds Garden Village

Ladds Garden Village is a garden centre on the A4 Reading road before Hare Hatch, about 10mins from Marlow. It’s a place i’d driven past for years without realising that inside are some great mini attractions for pre-school age children and animal lovers. The garden centre itself is not as ‘shiny’ as the Wyvales and […]
Marlow bottom park and playing fields

Marlow bottom park and playing fields are tucked away behind the main road that runs through Marlow Bottom, just off Burford Close. The park has a large fenced play area with activities suitable for toddlers and bigger kids. There is parking right next to the play area which makes it convenient to pop along when […]
Booker Airfield

Booker airfield is less than a 10 minute drive from Marlow and offers a great mini trip out for aeroplane inquisitive kids. You are generally able to see helicopters and small aeroplanes very close up as they take off and land. There is a small cafe with an outside area for viewing the planes. Where/When […]
Marlow Common Woods

Marlow Common is a an area of woodland near Marlow town center that makes a perfect place for a walk and play for children of all ages. The area was an old WW1 training ground so there are lots of bunkers for exploring as well rope swings, dens and an abundance of fallen logs. There […]
Henley River and Rowing Museum

Henley river and rowing museum is, as the name suggests a museum dedicated to rivers and rowing as well as the history of Henley. Whilst the museum itself is interesting, the reason for listing it here is that there is a great permanent Wind in the Willows exhibition. This brings to life the much-loved story […]
Flowerland

Flowerland is just on the other side of Bourne End. It has everything you’d expect at a garden centre with the addition of a small but well filled reptile centre and an aquatics centre. My littlen’s shriek with excitement at seeing the snakes every time! You can also feed the Carp fish (you can buy […]

Swimming Pools

Coral reef water world

Coral Reef is one of the largest interactive water worlds in England. It has a great range of water play facilities for all ages including a toddler zone with shallow water, mini slides and a pirate ship. There are various other Jacuzzi style pools for bigger kids and adults, an exploding volcano, lazy river and […]
Marlow Court Gardens Swimming Pool

The Court Garden Leisure Complex in Marlow has a small swimming pool that is 15m long and 0.9m to 1.4m deep. It is usually kept around 30 degrees Celsius. This is an ideal pool for babies as there is just the one small pool it is often quiet unlike some of the larger pools in […]
Windsor Swimming Pool

There are pools to suit all the family’s needs and a variety of sessions, there is something for everyone. There is a 25 metre 6 lane Fitness Pool, Leisure Pool with wave machine, Giant Slides, water features and Spa Pool. The shallow area provides interactive water play and a mini toddler slide. There also a […]
Wycombe Rye Lido

Wycombe Rye Lido is a leisure center with indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools. The outdoor pool is one of few remaining outdoor swimming pools in the country and it’s heated from April to October. It has been recently refurbished. Its 33 yards in length and there is also a separate shallow children’s pool. Where/when […]
High Wycombe Leisure Centre

High Wycombe swimming pool is based near the Cressex roundabout and is part of a large leisure centre complex. There are 2 pools. The main pool is 50m long and suitable for older children whilst the smaller teaching pool is better for younger children as its quieter and warmer. There is a splash area next […]

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