Brunel's Bridge

Maidenhead to Windsor

Download the Maidenhead to Windsor Thames Walk (PDF).

Water walk: Along this stretch you pass under Brunel’s Maidenhead Railway Bridge just downstream from Maidenhead. The arch the Thames passes under is known as Sounding Arch, because of its spectacular echo. At the time of building the arches were the widest and flattest in the world. The flatness of the arches was necessary to avoid putting a ‘hump’ in the bridge which would have gone against Brunel’s obsession with flat gradients. The bridge features in Turner’s painting, Rail, Steam and Speed – the Great Western Railway, displayed in the National Gallery. Once in Dorney you can take a short detour from the path to visit Dorney Court manor house and in Eton you will pass the rowing lake which was used for the Olympics.

Winter warmer: Just across from the road from Dorney Court is the Palmers Arms and in Windsor you will find plenty of places to eat and drink.

Length: 8 miles
Time: 4 hours

Train stations: Maidenhead and Windsor & Eton Central.

Stay overnight: Enjoy the luxuries of a spa hotel right in the heart of Windsor at the Sir Christopher Wren’s House Hotel.

Find out more about Maidenhead and Windsor.