Maidenhead’s best-known stretch of river runs from Boulter’s Lock in the north, past the hotels on Ray Mead Road and under Maidenhead Bridge, down to Bray, Bray Marina and Monkey Island. Upstream are Cookham and Hurley. The places below were checked on 31 October 2026 against the business’s own website or an official record (Bel and The Dragon again on 2 November); opening hours and prices change, so check before you go.
Boulter’s Lock and Ray Mead Road
- The Boathouse at Boulters Lock (the former Boulters Restaurant and Bar): Peach Pubs’ pub and restaurant on the lock island with a terrace bar and private dining. 01628 621291, peachpubs.com.
- Uno Thames Hotel (the Thames Hotel, established 1886): reopened on 3 March 2026 after a full refurbishment under new owners, with an Italian restaurant. Ray Mead Road.
- Boulter’s Lock and Ray Mill Island: riverside walks, a playground and mini golf on the island; the lock is run by the Environment Agency. See our Boulter’s Lock page.
Maidenhead Bridge
- Thames Riviera Hotel: by the bridge on Bridge Road, reopened in December 2022 with 51 refurbished bedrooms and three apartments; part of Best Western’s Sure Hotel Collection. 01628 956370.
- The Thames Path runs along the Maidenhead bank here; Brunel’s railway bridge of 1839, Grade I listed, with brick arches that Historic England describes as the longest and flattest ever built, is a short walk downstream.
Bray and Bray Marina
- Monkey Island Estate: hotel and brasserie on its own island, reached by footbridge from Monkey Island Lane. 01628 623400, monkeyislandestate.co.uk.
- Mediterranevm (the former Riverside Brasserie) at Bray Marina: Mediterranean cooking by the water, open Wednesday to Sunday. 01628 633512, mediterranevm.co.uk.
- Boating at Bray runs private boat charters from Bray Marina, including a “Tea on the Thames” afternoon tea cruise for groups (Royal Borough tourism listing).
- Bray village itself, a few minutes’ walk from the river, has The Hind’s Head, The Crown at Bray, Caldesi in Campagna and The Fat Duck; see restaurants.
Cookham
- The Ferry on Sutton Road: the riverside pub reopened in September 2025 after a refurbishment, with an 80-seat upstairs restaurant and two bars. theferry.co.uk.
- The Crown on Cookham Moor is a short walk from the river. Bel and The Dragon on the High Street is closed for refurbishment; its website says it reopens on 16 February. See pubs and bars.
- Cookham Moor and the Thames Path lead to Cookham Lock; the Stanley Spencer Gallery on the High Street shows the work of the village’s painter (Advantage Card holders get half-price entry).
Hurley
- The Olde Bell, an inn with rooms, restaurant and garden bar, and Hurley House Hotel on the Henley Road, are the village’s two places to stay and eat; The Dew Drop Inn on Honey Lane is the country pub. See hotels and pubs and bars.
- Hurley Lock and the priory remains are on the Thames Path by the village; see our Hurley guide.
On the water
- Bray Lake is a watersports centre with sailing, windsurfing and paddling courses; Longridge, between Maidenhead and Marlow, runs water sports and land-based activities for young people. See things to do.
- Maidenhead Rowing Club holds the Maidenhead Regatta on a Saturday in early August and a Junior Regatta in May.
Floods and river levels
The Jubilee River, opened in 2002, takes high flows round the town. Live river levels and flood warnings for the Thames here are on the weather and flooding page.
