5 Things You Didn't Know About Maidenhead

Glamorous Maidenhead garnered its reputation as the Jewel of the Thames during Edwardian times. It may have changed a lot since then, but it remains an affluent town with many redeeming characteristics

- Thomas Newport

BEAUTIFUL BRIDGES

Built-in 1770 from Portland Stone, Maidenhead Bridge is a beauty with 13 arches. Looking downstream from the top of the bridge, you can take in the view of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Sounding Arch railway bridge. This bridge carries the Great Western Railway over the Thames and was the subject of J.M.W. Turner’s famous painting, Rain, Speed, and Steam, that now hangs in The National Gallery. The most remarkable thing about this bridge is that it had the widest and flattest brick arches in the world on completion in 1838.

It is incredible how the bricks in the two middle sections remain in place. It really has to be seen to be believed. Also, don’t miss a walk over the new pedestrian bridge from Ray Mill Island/ Boulters Lock in Maidenhead over the River Thames to Taplow.

RACY REPUTATION

Skittles was once a racy nightspot, back in the days when Maidenhead was a mecca for the ‘in-crowd’. Past guests of Skittles have included Winston Churchill and bon viveur Princess Margaret. The site has since been developed into several hundred houses and flats and a new swanky Roux at Skindles bar and brasserie overlooking the river.