The Thames Valley region of England is a loose term for the counties and areas that roughly follow the course of the River Thames as it flows from Oxfordshire in the west to London in the east.
The region is dotted with charming villages, cities, and towns, many of which are situated directly on the banks of the river. Consequently, the region is well-known nationally as a wonderful boating, kayaking, canoeing, and rowing destination.
A single long-distance walking and cycling trail winds through the entire region, and is known as the Thames Path. It follows scenic landscapes like the Chiltern Hills, Ridgeway National Trail, and Windsor Great Park.
The region is also known for luxury spa hotels and golf resorts, which cater to the luxury and leisure market. However, both visitors and locals alike enjoy the frequent festivals, including regattas, food fairs, and fun fairs.
While the area is beautiful and temperate in high summer, this is when most visitors flock to the area. Consider visiting in late spring or early fall, when the crowds have started to dissipate.
We’ve assembled a list of the most popular places to visit in the Thames Valley; you’re sure to enjoy each entry on the list!
The Top 10 Places In The Thames Valley
1. Bray, Berkshire
This large village is located in Berkshire and borders the River Thames. The village is home to two of the four 3-Michelin-starred restaurants in England, The Fat Duck run by Heston Blumenthal, and The Waterside Inn run by Alain Roux and Cavaliere Diego Masciaga.
2. Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire
The Cliveden House sits on 376 acres of grounds. Once an Italianate mansion that dated back to 1666, the building is now a luxury hotel. The hotel’s rooms feature elegant antique furnishings, some with original fireplaces, and others with terraces and hot tubs.
The mansion is most infamous for being the site at which John Profumo met Christine Keeler. Their brief affair after meeting at the Cliveden House resulted in the Profumo Affair, a scandal that ended Profumo’s political career, resulted in the death of socialite Stephen Ward, and the resignation of Prime Minister Macmillan in the 1960s.
3. Eton and Eton College, Berkshire
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Eton is a small town within the historic boundaries of Buckinghamshire. It lies on the opposite bank of the River Thames to Windsor, and the two cities are connected via the Windsor Bridge.
The town is perhaps most famous as the location of Eton College, a prestigious public school that has been attended by the likes of Prince William and Prince Harry.
4. Hampton Court Palace, London
Hampton Court is a royal palace that originated as a medieval manor in 1494, but was rebuilt starting in 1515 by Thomas Wolsey to be a palace. The building efforts were taken over by Henry VIII in 1529, and he and his third through sixth wives lived in the palace.
Shakespeare was known to have performed in the palace’s great hall for King James I in 1603. Later, in 1689, parts of the original Tudor palace were demolished and a new palace was built for King William II and Queen Mary II.
In 1760, King George III left the palace in favor of a new royal residence, and it wasn’t until 1838 that Queen Victoria opened the gardens and state apartments to the public free of charge.
Visitors may enjoy visiting the various gardens, the unique Chocolate Kitchen, and the Chapel Royal.
5. Henley on Thames
Henley on Thames is a charming riverside town surrounded by wooded hills and green fields. It’s home to a pub where Charles I once drank, a Chantry house, and a butcher who still smokes his own meat.
Most famously, Henley on Thames has internationally renowned for 175 years due to the world’s greatest rowing regatta, the Henley Royal Regatta, taking place within the city limits.