Jul
Maidenhead is a stunning location for a staycation, with an array of activities.
1. Explore the grounds at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is home to our British Royal family and stretches over 52,609 square meters of outstanding Berkshire countryside. Windsor Castle was constructed in 1070, it embodies 1,000 years of architectural history. Once you have taken in the beautiful grounds Windsor Castle offers, a plethora of exhibitions, courses, lectures, activities, and private tours are available. These activities can range from tours of the gallery, to immersing yourself in some of the wonderful masterpieces created by our most famous artists, to a summer garden party where you can grab a nature sketchbook and walk around the gardens to help you experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Royal garden.
There is no visitor parking at Windsor Castle so we would recommend using a public car park in the town center.
2. Take a stroll around Boulters Lock
Built-in 1772, this lock and weir on the River Thames was a staple point in which thousands of people flocked to the river to mess about and watch the wealthier classes indulge themselves. Boulters Lock is a popular kayaking site with a fixed ramp installed each summer making it accessible to use a canoe or a kayak. Edward John Gregory, a famous British painter, was known for his best piece of work being of the Boulters Lock which can be found at the Lady Lever Art Gallery and is known as “Boulter’s Lock, Sunday Afternoon”.
If you get a bit peckish, we would recommend the Boathouse Boulters Lock, pub, and restaurant. It is located between the Boulters Lock and Taplow Bridge along the River Thames and they serve some scrumptious food. We would definitely recommend their Merrifield duck breast served with Delmonico potatoes.
As for parking, there is a car park at Boulters Lock with prices being as little as £1 for 1 hour all the way up to £5 for over 5 hours.
3. Build some great memories at Legoland Windsor
We believe at some point in our lifespans we have all enjoyed Lego. If you would like to relive those memories, or your kids really enjoy Lego, then Legoland Windsor is the place for you. Watch out, you may get wet at Legoland Hydra’s Challenge, an interactive water ride with astonishing twists and turns. This ride consists of themed jet-boats but be warned, anyone watching from the side can use the interactive water cannons to make things a little more thrilling. Undoubtedly one of Legoland’s best attractions would be their LEGO City Driving School. If you would like to give your kids a taste of what driving is like, while keeping it exciting and safe, then take them down to the driving school where they get to watch a road safety video and then take their electric Lego vehicles out of a spin. In the end, they will earn their own LEGOLAND driving license.
As for dining, Legoland is full of options from Fish & Chip shops to a Pirate’s Burger Kitchen. If you would prefer something to grab & go then options like Costa Coffee and Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream can help you get that little extra boost.
4. Grab your popcorn and watch a film at ODEON Luxe
Take a trip down to the ODEON cinema in Maidenhead to see some of the latest movies. Whether you are watching on your own or with a family, there’s a movie that will suit you. Indulge yourself in their iSense screen experience with floor-to-ceiling screens so wherever you sit you will get the perfect view. Industry-leading Dolby Atmos speakers, powerful enough to give you sound from every direction, will make you feel as immersed as possible. Enjoy sensational images with their state-of-the-art 4K projectors which make the films come to life with the most precise detail. As we all know, we all enjoy a nice, tasty snack during the movie. Well, ODEON has you covered with good value combos, including popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, fizzy drinks, and, everyone’s favorite, the tango ice blast in cherry, raspberry, or a mix of both.
After your movie, why not take a stroll and go grab dinner from a local restaurant? We would recommend Miyazaki, a Japanese restaurant that serves some of the best sushi we have had in a long time.
5. Take to the races at Absolutely Karting
F1 fan or just enjoy the thrill of turning fast round corners? Then put your helmets on because you are going go-karting at Absolutely Karting Maidenhead. This go-karting course hosts an awesome double-level track which is both challenging and safe, but don’t be intimidated as it is designed for both beginners and pros. The Maidenhead Go Karts are no joke either, as their Sodi SR-5 karts feature 270cc Honda engines. For you non-car enthusiasts, the go-karts are very fast. Some features in the go-karts include adjustable pedals for comfort, a new integral floor covering for superior safety, and an adjustable seat for an optimal driving position.
The first UK Glow Karting experience is here at Absolutely Karting Maidenhead, which boasts state-of-the-art lighting technology to deliver a new take on traditional go-karting. The track is kitted with a UV light system as well as UV Go Karts and fluorescent helmets. Along with this, the track has boost pads and old-school dance tunes to keep the adrenaline pumping throughout the race.
6. Take in the culture at Mamaloo’s South African Shop
This South African gift shop sells some of the most wonderful South African treats at amazing prices. Part of the biggest importer of South African food in the UK, you can rest assured that Mamaloo’s has something for you. Established in 2003, they have 2 shops across London and an onsite butchery at their Colnbrook branch. Their main aim is to please the customer and go the extra mile, whilst striving for excellence and perfection. Stocking everything from groceries to memorabilia, do make sure to check out the butcher’s section where they sell, what we believe to be, the best biltong out there. We would definitely recommend their Biltong Turbo Chilli with mouth-watering flavors, and to wash it down, pick up some Rooibos tea, which is Afrikaans for “red bush”, with the flavor being naturally sweet and slightly nutty.
7. Meet the animals at BCA Zoo
Made up of a beautiful 400 acres of land, this zoo was historically known as a training ground for students enrolled in various animal management courses. In August 2015, the BCA Animal Management Centre was awarded its first-ever zoo license and is now home to over 100 species of animals. Some of these animals are at risk in the wild so at BCA Zoo they make sure they are kept safe and well looked after. With animals ranging from a Cape Porcupine to a Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, you will get to experience and learn about a wide variety of animals. While you are there, why not try out one of the many encounters which the zoo has to offer? We would recommend trying the meerkat encounter where you get to become their new lookout post. Throughout the encounter, you will be taken into the meerkat enclosure where you will meet the friendly meerkats and their roommate, Denzil, the friendly porcupine.
The BCA Zoo sponsors some amazing projects that are helping save endangered animals. One that they support is The European Endangered Species Program which aims at conserving healthy populations of animals in captivity while safeguarding their health.
Where to stay in Maidenhead?
Our Beneficial House Aparthotel in Bracknell is less than 10 miles from Maidenhead. It offers studio through to 2 bedroom service apartments, parking* and is connected to a 24-hour gym*, an appealing option for fitness-orientated guests.
Reading is just 15 miles away from Athena Court, Maidenhead, and is easily connected with fast train and M4 motorway links. 100 Kings Road is our flagship aparthotel, offering a range of studio through to 3 bedroom apartments, all complete with full air conditioning, parking*, a co-working lounge and shared roof terrace along with the presence of our Guest Services team.
City Wall House is also located in Reading and offers studio through to 2 bedroom serviced apartments.
When booking your Staycation with House of Fisher, we always encourage you to book directly through our website and advanced booking engine or by calling our Reservations team on 01189 514151. Click here to read the wealth of benefits from doing this and remember booking directly with House of Fisher is the only way to guarantee you will pay the lowest price.
*additional/separate charge
