The beautiful Thames-side town of Marlow is a picturesque place to enjoy some of the top National Trust properties in the country. Nearby Cliveden is an absolute corker, and it tops our list of great days out in Marlow. Of course, you don’t have to really do anything during your stay at our Marlow hotel, simply wander around and soak up the wonderful scenery. Enjoy a riverside walk, pop into one of the town’s many excellent pubs and sample something from the local Rebellion Brewing Company, or enjoy an evening’s dinner at one of Tom Kerridge’s Michelin Star pubs – yes, there’s more than one. Whether you’re wanting to explore stunning scenery or take things at a leisurely pace, you won’t be left wondering what to do in Marlow with the help of our guide.
Things to do in Marlow
Activities
Tick off the three wonderful National Trust properties that head up our list of great days out in Marlow. Cliveden hardly needs much of an introduction – it’s one of the most popular stately homes in the whole of the UK – but you may not know about the fascinating Hughenden Manor, former home of Benjamin Disraeli, or West Wycombe Park, the pleasure palace of the founder of the infamous Hellfire Club.
Entertainment
Pay a visit to the excellent Wycombe Swan if you fancy some first-rate theatre during your stay in Marlow. Alternatively, there are two amateur options that’ll knock your socks off. If you like live music, there’s a couple of venues where you can listen to some of Wycombe’s finest. And be sure to see if any of the town’s top cultural events are taking place during your stay, particularly Pub in the Park; it’s delicious.
Places to eat
Read about the Marlow gastropubs of celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, which share three Michelin stars between them. We’ve also gathered some of the other eateries that may go under the radar in a town intertwined with great eating. There’s a hidden gem of an Italian trattoria, an array of excellent cafés, and some sublime fine dining in the former home of T.S. Eliot.
Nightlife
Marlow may be lacking mirror balls and light up dance floor nightclubs, but it’s great for bars and pubs. We’ve picked our favourites, where you can grab a pint of the good stuff from the local, award-winning Rebellion Brewing Company, or take your pick of stylish cocktail options if you fancy a night on the town.
Shopping
If you fancy some retail therapy during your stay, then the good news is our Marlow hotel has you right in the heart of the action. Step out the front door and find yourself at the top end of the High Street. Follow it and you’ll find well-known fashion brands such as The White Company, Jigsaw, Jack Wills, and Charles Tyrwhitt. Get to the end and follow it around to West Street, where the great shopping options continue.
While there isn’t a main shopping centre in Marlow, if you don’t mind a five-mile drive, you can make your way to the Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe. It’s one of the largest shopping centres in the country. It has four floors of more than 100 shops, as well as a bowling alley, a cinema, and more than 1,500 parking spaces. In terms of retailers, you can choose between Gap, H&M, House of Fraser, Swarovski, TK Maxx, Topshop, Zara and Waterstones, not to mention countless others.
Getting Around
While Marlow town centre is tiny and easily walkable – as you’ll see from our local guide – many of the area’s top activities and attractions will require a bit of travelling. If you’re driving, our Marlow hotel doesn’t have any on-site parking. However, there are reasonably priced options nearby. Alternatively, you can make the most of Marlow’s public transport.
Our Marlow hotel is situated less than a 10-minute walk from Marlow Railway Station. Services run to Bourne End, on a service nicknamed the ‘Marlow Donkey’, and from there to Maidenhead, and the wider country. There is no dedicated bus station in Marlow. However, you can catch bus services from all along the High Street to the neighbouring towns of High Wycombe, Henley-on-Thames, and Reading. There are also several local providers when it comes to Marlow taxis.
Shopping in Marlow
