Riverside Gardens

The Thames path cuts through Riverside Gardens with a proper riverside feel - water on one side, mature trees on the other, and enough space to actually breathe. You're in Maidenhead territory here, and this stretch is genuinely quiet for somewhere so close to the commuter belt. Walk the full length and you'll spot kingfishers if you're lucky, plus the usual herons and cormorants mucking about in the shallows.

It's the sort of place that rewards a slow meander rather than a rushed visit. Families with young kids can manage the flat paths without drama, though there's not much in the way of facilities or activities beyond looking at water and trees. History types might appreciate the industrial heritage dotted along here - old lock systems and the like - but you're not getting dramatic ruins or anything.

Go early morning or late afternoon if you want peace. Weekends get busier, especially in summer when the whole commuter population seems to discover riverside walks. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing, less if you just fancy a quick circuit.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Hurleyford Farm or Hurley Riverside Park are both within 5 miles - this pairs well with a lazy day out. It's not a destination in itself, but it's a solid afternoon activity that costs you nothing and gives you actual river access without the crowds you'd find at the busier Windsor spots downstream.