Summer Season in the Chilterns – what to do this summer
Now that summer is officially here it’s time to get out and enjoy everything that the Chilterns have to offer in the summer months. From water-based fun, to visiting a stunning open-air museum to ‘swan upping’ in Marlow – there is a host of activities to enjoy.
River Cruises or self-hire boats at Cliveden
Cliveden Reach is one of the prettiest stretches of the Thames and has long been the backdrop for summer fun and adventure. After wandering through the stunning parterre, climb down the steps to the Thames to be treated to an informative cruise, learning about the river and the history of Cliveden including the famous Profumo Affair. Or pack a picnic and have your own Swallows and Amazons adventure with one of their self-hire vessels.
Aqua Park fun
For some real water-based fun, nothing beats Liquid Leisure aqua park in Datchet near Windsor. Liquid Leisure is home to Europe’s Largest Aqua Park, set on one of the most beautiful private freshwater lakes amongst stunning parkland in the heart of Berkshire. The lake is home to a host of activities including the main inflatable park, a Ninja Warrior course, high ropes over water, ringo rides and cable water sports. If you prefer to soak up the action from dry land, there is a beach area (the largest in Berkshire) with a paddling and a small swimming area.
Exploring Chiltern Open Air Museum set in 45 acres
If you want to head outdoors for some educational fun then look no further than the award-winning Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St Giles. Step back in time and explore over 30 reconstructed historic buildings, including an Iron Age roundhouse, 1940s prefab, blacksmith’s forge, Victorian toll house, tin chapel, WW1 and WW2 Nissen huts, earthen cottage and working historic farm that is home to goats, sheep, chickens, cows and farm cats. The museum offers amazing themed re-enactments during the summer months such as medieval jousting and learning about the Great War and Wellington’s Army. Terrific Tuesdays run throughout the summer with a host of activities for children.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
SUP has taken the waterways by storm in the past few years. We are lucky to have a wide range of sites where you can take a SUP or inflatable kayak and head off down the river. If you want to hire a board and maybe get a lesson or two then head to Paddleboard UK at Bourne End or Paddle Board Maidenhead or Engage Watersports in Taplow which all offer lessons and wetsuit hire.
Learn to sail or windsurf
Bray Lake and Bury Lake in Rickmansworth both offer a wide range of sailing opportunities. The stunning 50-acre Bray Lake is surrounded by a mixture of grassy banks and a mature tree line. Water enthusiasts can learn to sail or windsurf, kayak, canoe or SUP. Over at Rickmansworth, Bury Lake Young Mariners is a warm and welcoming club offering a host of junior courses alongside adult sailing lessons. The lake is set within the Rickmansworth Local Nature Reserve, an area of 100 acres of open grasslands, woodland, a dedicated children’s play area and two lakes.
Soak up the Marlow riverside scene and Swan Upping
Marlow is without doubt one of the loveliest locations on the Thames, situated on a broad sweep of the river between Henley and Windsor and within the Chiltern Hills which is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town centre is made up of historic streets with small listed buildings and offers an array of shops, award-winning restaurants and pubs which all add to Marlow’s charm. The town’s main landmark is the graceful suspension bridge which spans the Thames joining Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the Thames path taking in all the river action or set up with a picnic in the glorious Higginson Park. July 21st sees the annual Swan Upping event – an annual census of the swan population carried out by the Queen’s liveried staff. A flotilla of traditional Thames rowing skiffs, manned by Swan Uppers in scarlet rowing shirts and headed by The Queen’s Swan Marker, wearing a hat with a white swan’s feather, row their way steadily up the Thames. ‘All up!’ they cry as a family of swans and cygnets is spotted, and the Swan Uppers carefully position their boats around the swans, lift them from the water and check their health.
