The Curve Slough

The Thames takes a proper sharp bend just outside Maidenhead, and The Curve is where you go to see it do its thing. It's one of those geographical features that looks far more dramatic on a map than it feels in person, but that's half the charm - you're looking at a genuine meander in the river that's shaped the landscape for centuries.

Walkers get the most from this spot. There's no admission fee or visitor centre to faff about with; you just park up near Maidenhead and head down to the towpath. The bend itself is best appreciated from the water's edge or from across the fields if you can access them. It's a gentle riverside walk rather than a destination in itself - maybe thirty minutes to an hour if you're not in a hurry. The real value is combining it with a proper Thames Path ramble, which this section delivers brilliantly.

Historically minded types might find it interesting as a textbook example of river erosion and deposition, though there's nothing to read or interpret on-site. Families with young kids could manage it, but there's no playground or café, so manage expectations. Best visited in spring or early autumn when the weather's decent and the towpath isn't either waterlogged or heaving with summer day-trippers.

If you're staying at Amerden Caravan Park or Queens Acre just a few miles away, The Curve works well as a morning or afternoon walk before heading back for tea. It won't occupy your whole day, but it's a proper addition to a Thames Valley caravan holiday.