Easter Holiday Fun along the River Thames

Fancy some time away over Easter, or a day out as spring beckons... the River Thames has plenty of offers to inspire your visit and plenty of things to do! Avoid the crowds, there’s plenty of space along the river.

There’s still time to book a Thames weekend away for two or a great Thames family getaway, even if you’ve only got a day.  Here are a selection of Thames Easter Holiday Ideas that won’t break the bank, or treat yourself to a luxury stay. 

• Danesfield Luxury Escape - Experience a luxurious countryside oasis in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, on the banks of the Thames with a break at Danesfield House Hotel & Spa. Or for the family enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt  (Monday 1st April 10.30am-12pm, Tuesday 2nd April 2.30-4pm). £10 per child 2-12 years. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Lunch or Afternoon Tea may be booked in the hotel beforehand or afterwards. 

• Windsor Castle Experience For 2 Adults & 2 Children (5-17 Year's Old) at Crowne Plaza Marlow - Treat your family to the Windsor Castle Experience with a One Night Spa Break at Crowne Plaza Marlow and Tickets to Windsor Castle for Four. The four of you will spend one night in a cosy family room at the Crowne Plaza, complete with everything needed for a luxurious getaway. Use of Quad Wellness & Spa facilities, breakfast to set you up for the day ahead, late checkout at 1pm. As part of your stay, you’ll receive tickets to the iconic Windsor Castle. This mini break truly has it all. This experience is available Thursday - Monday (Exclusions may apply). From £255.00 

Take a boat trip along the Thames

• Hobbs of Henley Easter Sunday Lunch Cruise, Henley on Thames - Sunday 1 April 2024. Hobbs of Henley also offers daily Boat Trips and Self-Drive Hire from an hour or more.

• Wind in the Willows Country Cruise (Thames Explorer 90 mins), Caversham  - Easter Holidays 30th March - 12th April. The most popular trip takes you to Mapledurham Lock, which feels a world away from life in Reading. Following the Thames upstream, you will see wildlife, open countryside, islands and look out towards the Berkshire Downs. The cruise will turn at Mapledurham Lock taking a panoramic view of the weir. Two sailings at 11am and 2pm.

• London's 24hours Hop on and Hop off river pass and Easter Game - This Easter half term, make the most of London's breath-taking riverside landmarks with a hop on hop off river pass that last for 24hours! Hop on board for a great day out on the Thames for some egg-citing sightseeing fun! Take your pick of an open upper deck or comfortable indoor saloon where you can enjoy entertaining and informative commentary and of course unrivalled views of London’s iconic sights. There’s so much to see and do along the Thames, and with a hop-on hop-off ticket, London becomes your playground. 

• What about an adrenaline pumping Thamesjet speedboat ride! - You’ll see the best sights of London from Westminster down to Tower Bridge and then hold on tight as Thamesjet lets rip with fast-paced twists and turns as you head your way to Canary Wharf!”

Try a Boating Holiday  

What better way to celebrate Easter than a Thames boating holiday. Whether you want to drive yourself or let somebody else do the driving for you. There’s plenty of choice from a Linssen luxury cruiser, a Dutch barge and the fleets of Kris Cruisers and Le Boat. 

Get outdoors

There’s some wonderful places along the Thames with play areas and trails for children that will keep them occupied and get some fresh air for all the family:

• There’s 10 acres of fun and adventure at Tumblestone Hollow and the Gardens at Stonor to explore. Tumblestone Hollow is set within the grounds of Stonor Park that is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside. Designed for children of all ages especially children up to around 12. There’s enough to do to keep you busy for half a day or more and the Rumble and Jumble Huts offer wood-fired pizzas, Italian Gelato ice cream and American style milkshakes. The Visitor Centre also sells a variety of other snacks and on colder days hot soup. The popular Easter Trail returns to the beautiful gardens and adventure playground 29th March - 14th April.
• Cliveden National Trust Garden offers a host of activities for families to make the most of the great outdoors. From woodland play trails, a character-filled play area designed for under 10s and plenty of open space.   A wild woodland trail with a difference…around every corner you’ll find a new place to play and test your climbing, balancing and den building skills. Get lost in the giant Yew Tree Maze made from over 1000 yew trees and explore the Storybook Play Den; carved wooden models of favourite storybook characters fill the Play Den, including Peter Pan, Captain Hook and his arch enemy the ever-hungry crocodile.
• Combine a visit to Savill Garden with the Obelisk Lawn Play Area.
• The Savill Garden offers beautiful gardens with buggy-friendly paths. It’s free for children under 6 to visit The Savill Garden, and we also have excellent offers for families and children under 16. The Obelisk Lawn children’s play area offers a good selection of low level play equipment which is perfect for children of pre-school age. It is located close to the picnic tables on Obelisk Lawn, with views overlooking the nearby Obelisk Pond - where there are plenty of ducks and swans which your children will enjoy feeding.
• Seek out the Lindt GOLD BUNNY and discover the stories of fascinating people who visited, lived and worked at Hampton Court Palace. Run free in the 60 acres of Henry VIII's gardens to find the hidden Lindt GOLD BUNNY statues. Match up the name of the important palace character on the trail to the red ribbon on the bunny statue at each location. With each Lindt GOLD BUNNY you find, you'll uncover a fascinating story. Can you find them all? When you have finished exploring, you'll be rewarded with a delicious a Lindt GOLD BUNNY (10g) chocolate* treat! 23rd March - 14th April
• Take a walk along the Thames Path National Trail. Take a look at the selection of walks along the river Thames.
• What could be better than a walk in the countryside to get the blood pumping followed by a well-earned drink and a bite to eat in a fine public house? Brakspear has produced a series of walks from some of their pubs that can be downloaded or followed on their app!
• Book a session at the River Thames Mini Golf, at Staines where the historic towns and iconic landmarks of the River Thames region come alive in miniature form. 

Include a Museum Visit

The Wind in the Willows Experience at The River & Rowing Museum offers visitors  an enchanting recreation of the riverbank world of The Wind in the Willows with its 3D models, theatrical lighting and music. Take a look at the Family Trails and discover the Museum’s stories, or explore the beautiful natural surroundings. All trails can be downloaded to your phone or tablet, or printed out at home before your visit.

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Take a look at what's on in Henley, Marlow, Reading and Windsor this Easter.

• What's On Henley - Kenton Theatre's Easter programme includes: The Wizard of Oz, Morgan & West`s Massive Magic Show for kids, Mark Thompsons Spectacular Science, Cartoon Circus Live and The Museum of Marvellous Things.
• What's on Marlow - Marlow Easter Trail and Marlow Spring Festival.
• What's on Reading - Cavershams Court Gardens Easter Trail, Easter DET-EGG-TIVES event, Sing-a-Long-a Matilda The Musical (PG) at The Hexagon and Lego Masterbuilders Workshop at Reading Town Hall.
• What's on Windsor - The Windsor Town Centre Easter Trail, Easter Egg-splorers | Easter holiday activities at Windsor Castle, watch Changing the Guard or Rubbish Shakespeare Company: Romeo and Juliet at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, an anarchic and joyous family friendly treat. Featuring clowning, slapstick and knowingly mischievous storytelling.