Getting Oriented
An ideal place to begin any exploration of the Thames Valley is the town of Windsor, about an hour's drive west of central London. From there you can follow the river to Marlow and to Henley-on-Thames, site of the famous regatta, and then make a counterclockwise sweep west to the area around Henley-on-Thames. To the north is Oxford, with its pubs, colleges, and museums; it can make a good base for exploring some of the area's charming towns and notable stately homes. If you're extending your itinerary, west of the region but still nearby are the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Windsor. A gorgeous town with one of England's most famous castles.
- Eton. Home to England's most prestigious secondary school.
- Ascot. A posh town famous for horse racing.
- Cliveden. A stately mansion and one of the country's grandest hotels.
- Marlow. A lovely Thames-side village.
- Henley-on-Thames. A village famed for its rowing regatta.
- Oxford. One of the world's oldest and greatest centers of learning.
- Woodstock. Home to extraordinary Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill's birthplace.
- Aylesbury. A good base for exploring the area's grand manor houses.
- St. Albans. A historical town that's close to the popular Harry Potter Studio Tour.
- Woburn Abbey. A grand manor house.
- Althorp. The alluring childhood home of the late Princess Diana.
