Stuck for something different to do? Browse below or click on a category for some inspiration.
FAMILY OUTINGS
FAMILY WALKS
FREE PLAY PARKS
ACTIVE & SPORT
RAINY DAY IDEAS
SOFT PLAY
TODDLER TRIPS
SWIMMING POOLS
FAMILY OUTINGS
FAMILY WALKS
FREE PLAY PARKS
ACTIVE & SPORT
RAINY DAY IDEAS
SOFT PLAY
TODDLER TRIPS
SWIMMING POOLS
Be inspired
In this section:- Places to visit by type
Family Outings
-
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 […]
-
Odds Farm
Odds farm is a large children’s farm and play center. 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. […]
-
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 […]
-
Willows Farm
Otherwise known as Peter Rabbit World, Willows Farm is themed around the hit Cbeebies show Peter Rabbit with themed adventure playgrounds and shows. You can visit Cotton-tail Village, an indoor imaginative play that is made up of 11 different play areas that children can explore including a hairdressers, café and shop. There is also Mr […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Tring Natural History Museum
Tring Natural History Museum is about a 45 minute drive from Marlow and a perfect place if you are fancying a trip out on a wet day. It’s linked with the Natural History Museum in London and is predominantly a fantastic collection of stuffed animals! It’s free to enter, buggy friendly, has a small cafe. […]
-
Cliveden
Cliveden is a National Trust site set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s impressive gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age. For younger visitors, the Storybook Play Den encourages imaginations to run wild as you play amongst wooden carvings of favourite storybook characters whilst the 500 metres of winding […]
-
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. […]
FREE Play Parks
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Oaken Grove Park
Oaken Grove Park is a lovely park with an extensive play area on the Marlow side of Maidenhead. There is a cafe (open at peak times), plenty of open grassland, easy free parking, a sand pit, zip wire, small trampoline and a variety of play frames/equipment suitable for toddlers, pre-schoolers and older kids. There are […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Hughenden Park
The Hughenden Park play area was re-opened in July 2017 after a £168k re-development. The council got local schools involved in the design stage and (I think) they have done a great job. It’s a lovely natural wooden play structure with multiple areas to suite children of all ages. Flick through the pictures above to […]
-
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. […]
-
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 […]
-
Ray Mill Island
Ray Mill Island is a small secluded space just near Boulters Lock in Maidenhead. Although the island is very small there is plenty to see including an aviary and guinea pig enclosure, a cafe and small children’s play area and several wooden sculptures suitable for small kids to climb on and over. Alternatively sit and […]
Family Walks
-
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 […]
-
Turville Heath Family Walk
Turville Heath is a ‘green’ type area where The Barn Cafe can be found. This café is unique in that you cannot reach it by car. That heath is a lovely place to rest and refresh half way through a walk. We love this walk for the beautiful countryside with fantastic views and woodland for […]
-
Turville Woodland Walk
We love this walk as it has great views and a mix of woodland for climbing trees/finding the best sticks and open fields to enjoy the beautiful countryside. On this particular day after finishing the walk back in Turville village, we went up to the windmill to all sit down and watch the sunset whilst […]
-
Turville Manor Walk
This family walk near Marlow is roughly 2 miles long and travels through fields and woodland. It starts in the lovely Turville village near the Bull and Butcher pub. Head out of the village with the pub on your left and you will pick up a footpath on your right just as you leave the […]
-
The Bull and Butcher Pub Walk Turville
The Bull and Butcher is a lovely traditional English pub in the beautiful village of Turville, just past Hambledon. The pub does great food and can get very busy, so best to book if you plan on enjoying one of their delicious Sunday roasts! The countryside is really beautiful which makes this area one of […]
-
Hambleden Stag and Huntsman Pub Walk
Hambleden is a beautiful village a short drive out of Marlow towards Henley. This is a short circular walk we do which is suitable for very young children who can’t walk far. It combines a stop at the Stag and Huntsman pub and is very scenic although not suitable for buggies or scooter/balance bikes. The […]
-
Bovingdon Green Circular Walk
This walk starts from Bovingdon Green just next to the Royal Oak pub. We did it with our two boys aged 3 and 6 with no buggies or carriers. The route we took wouldn’t be suitable for a buggy as it’s quite narrow in places and has pinch points to walk through (designed to stop […]
-
Moor End Common Family Walk
We love the countryside around Frieth. This walk offering a mix of undulating countryside and woodland makes it one of our favourites. There are lots of different tracks and footpaths to follow, this route shows just one of them and covers roughly 2.9 miles in distance. Need to know Distance: 2.9 miles although the route […]
-
Hambleden Pheasants Hill Walk
This family walk starts off in Hambleden village. You can park in the village itself or the car park next to the Stag and Huntsman. Note: this is now a pay and display car park. The route begins travelling up a footpath following a long steep ish hill. Once you are up its down hill […]
-
Cliveden Woodland Walk
Cliveden Woodland area is part of the the Cliveden Estate owned by the National Trust. That said, this area has it’s own entrance which is further down the road from the main entrance. The woodlands are a lovely area to explore and there are plenty of natural attractions for kids, from climbing logs, dens to […]
Rainy Day Ideas
-
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 […]
-
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, […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Tring Natural History Museum
Tring Natural History Museum is about a 45 minute drive from Marlow and a perfect place if you are fancying a trip out on a wet day. It’s linked with the Natural History Museum in London and is predominantly a fantastic collection of stuffed animals! It’s free to enter, buggy friendly, has a small cafe. […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
Soft Play
-
Cheeky Charlies
Cheeky Charlies is a standard soft play center based at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead. Here’s what they say about themselves. “Here at Cheeky Charlie’s there’s plenty to do – hide in the colourful Ball Pool, containing thousands of balls! Weave your way through my Bash Balls, clamber over the Rope Bridge – squeeze […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Odds Farm
Odds farm is a large children’s farm and play center. 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. […]
-
Marlow Garden Center Soft Play
This Wyvale garden centre has a small but perfectly formed soft play area attached to a nice cafe. This garden centre is part of The Wyvale chain and has all the usual plants and outdoor living sundries you’d expect plus a pets corner. The soft play area is on 2 levels and has a ball […]
-
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 […]
Active & Sport
-
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 […]
-
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. […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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. […]
-
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 […]
Toddler Trips
-
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 Garden Center Soft Play
This Wyvale garden centre has a small but perfectly formed soft play area attached to a nice cafe. This garden centre is part of The Wyvale chain and has all the usual plants and outdoor living sundries you’d expect plus a pets corner. The soft play area is on 2 levels and has a ball […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
Swimming Pools
-
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 […]
-
Maidenhead Leisure Centre (Magnet)
The Magnet Leisure Centre, which is run by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and has great swimming facilities for all the family including young children. There is 25m 8 lane competition pool as well as a leisure pool (known as the teaching the pool) Spa pools and water features including slides. Younger children […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
Recent Articles
The Marlow Summer Holiday Camp Guide 2021
Here’s a run down of all the local summer holiday camps running in and near Marlow in 2021.
Best Free Family Day Trips
There are times to splurge on day trips and times to just keep it simple with a low budget outing – and let’s face it, often they are just as much fun. Here’s our top 10 recommended FREE places to take the kids to burn off some energy and get some fresh air.
Highfield Prep School: a Marlow Mums Review
Evoking feelings of inspiration, imagination, excitement and possibility, this nurturing school is empowering the young women of our future, and quite frankly, we want IN!