Stupas

You won't find your typical English parish church here. Stupas is something altogether different - a Buddhist temple in Windsor and Maidenhead that catches most visitors completely off guard. The gleaming white stupas rise up with genuine grace, and stepping inside feels like crossing continents without leaving the Thames Valley.

It's a working meditation space and temple, not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense. The architecture speaks volumes though. Those distinctive domed structures are proper striking against the English countryside, and if you're into religious buildings - whether you're a history type or just someone who appreciates good design - it's genuinely worth the detour from Marlow.

You'll get the most from a visit if you're curious rather than casual. This isn't somewhere you pop in for twenty minutes and tick off a box. Allow time to sit, absorb the atmosphere, observe if visitors are meditating. Kids might find it fascinating or dull depending on their temperament - it's quiet and contemplative, not interactive.

The site can be a bit tricky to pin down practically - opening hours aren't widely published, so ring ahead or check their website before driving over. Admission details are similarly hazy. That said, if you're camping at Shillingridge Glamping or Chiltern Retreat Rural Camping nearby, it's close enough for a proper morning visit, especially if you're interested in how Buddhism has established itself in rural England. It's an oddly moving spot.