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You are here: Inspiration and ideas on the River Thames > Family Fun
Family Fun on the River Thames
Things to do for families in the summer holidays.
There are plenty of great ideas for family activities to do on the Thames once school’s out. Along its 210 miles, the Thames offers a diverse range of activities to create fun-filled days outdoors.
Take a walk along the Thames Path National Trail. With 185.2 miles (298 km) from the Cotswolds to London, you can choose from many locations. Whether you’re walking or on a boat there’s plenty to see, iconic buildings, ancient countryside and nature reserves, islands and locks for camping, churches and abbeys, and historic towns and villages along the route.
- There’s plenty of outdoor adventures along the Thames from Geocaching, kayaking, orienteering, stand up paddle boarding. dragon boat racing to climbing the wall at Longridge. Hire a boat and go messing about on the river: rowing, canoeing, kayaking, punting or self-drive boats. Or take a boat trip from Oxford, Henley, Reading, Windsor, Runnymede or London and enjoy a spot of sightseeing.
- Discover great Thames riverside picnic and BBQ sites. Explore the towns such as Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Marlow or Windsor on foot or take a Scavenger Challenge. Go for a walk in the gardens and woodlands of Stonor or Cliveden National Trust – get lost in Cliveden’s maze or play in Tumblestone Hollow at Stonor, designed for children and families to play together. It is suitable for all ages but will be enjoyed by younger children up to around 12 years of age.
- It doesn’t have to be a rainy day for a visit to the River & Rowing Museum and the Wind in the Willows Experience. They have family fun activities to keep the children occupied and Riverside Trails - outdoor adventures for families along the riverbank. As well as the The Games at Henley exhibition (until 15 Sep 24), exploring over a century of sporting legacy in Henley-on-Thames, from the 1908 Games to Paris 2024, there's The Space Vault Exhibition (until 1 July 2025). A once-in-a-lifetime chance to see relics of human space exploration with your own eyes and discover Oxford’s story as the centre for UK space exploration. It will showcase one of the UK’s largest private collections of space artefacts.
The towns of Windsor, Reading, Henley, Abingdon and Wallingford offer some great family friendly activities from leting off steam, engaging with nature, broadening the mind or just chilling out.
- Reading has two aqua parks, paddleboarding and kayaking centres, river boat cruises and Reading's museums are interactive and fun. Dress up as a Victoria schoolchild, become a farmer or climb aboard a plane - it's all possible here.
- Take a leisurely stroll along the scenic Thames path at Henley, weaving through the mesmerizing Mill and Marsh Meadows. At the Information Centre at the Town Hall and at the Kiosk at Adventure Golf, you can start a nature-filled adventure with a scavenger hunt list.
- Windsor offers heritage and fun. Enter a real-life fairy tale at Windsor Castle, home to kings, queens, princes and princesses. Escape rooms are all the rage and perfect for older children or there's plenty to keep the whole family entertained at Legoland. Or, make chocolate bars at Dr Chocs Windsor Chocolate Factory. Don't miss Adventure Play, a unique, hand-crafted adventure playground at Windsor Great Park. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, you’ll discover a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses.
- Abingdon's Water Park in the Abbey Meadow provides a high quality play area. In the Summer weekends and holidays there is water fun on a hot day. Parents can relax at the side and watch the screaming and the giggling as the kids run around the spray fountains.
- Wallingford has a range of activities to suit all ages from boat rides, outdoor heated swimming pool and nearby a donkey sanctuary and Pendon Minature Village.
There's still time to book a boating holiday with Le Boat.
Enjoy exploring the next few sections, we’re sure you’ll find something special for you and your family and there’s walks for all the family whether you’ve got a buggy, the dog or use a wheelchair.
