Sonning Bridge

The red brick Victorian bridge that spans the Thames at Sonning is one of those spots you stumble upon while exploring the river valleys around Henley-on-Thames, and it's immediately obvious why it's caught painters' eyes for generations. Built in 1893, it's a proper statement - eighteen arches of gleaming terracotta brick that somehow look both ornate and functional, reflecting perfectly in the water on a still day.

What makes it work is the setting. This isn't some isolated monument; it's a living crossing with a small weir beside it, the Thames flowing underneath, and a genuine village clustering around it. You can walk across (free, naturally), stop halfway and watch the water, or park up on either bank and just sit with a coffee. The bridge itself is the attraction - there's no visitor centre or queue - which means you get the real thing without the machinery of tourism around it.

For photographers and walkers, this is gold. The Thames Path runs past here, so it fits naturally into a longer ramble. Families will get an hour out of it maximum, but it's the sort of place that rewards lingering. Visit early morning or late afternoon when the light hits those bricks properly.

If you're camping at Swiss Farm or Embers - both less than six miles away - Sonning Bridge makes an easy afternoon detour. It's the kind of spot that reminds you why the Thames Valley matters, away from the crowds at Windsor or further upstream.