Have the perfect day in Marlow with Michelin-starred grub, riverside walks and the cosiest of pubs
The picturesque patch of Buckinghamshire has become increasingly popular with London daytrippers (and commuters), thanks to its proximity to the capital but also its almost unbelievable tranquillity, and Marlow is the quaint little jewel in the county’s crown.
Home to just 15,000 people, Marlow is a ‘gram-worthy town full of historic streets and trendy eateries. In recent years, it’s even made a name for itself as a foodie destination, mostly down to a string of TV chefs opening restaurant after restaurant. But when you’re not gorging on all that glorious scran, there’s plenty more to explore in this little town. Here you’ll find beer gardens, great shops and plenty of relaxation and walks. Sounds pretty idyllic, right? Here are the best things to do in Marlow.
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No trip to Marlow is complete without sampling Tom Kerridge’s creations. Sit down for pub grub at The Coach or head to The Butcher’s Tap for food on the go. Pick up one of the mammoth pork pies and wash it down with a crafty half from the bar that doubles up as a butcher’s during the day.
Get cosy in The Two Brewers. The welcoming, redbrick-fronted building is the oldest pub in Marlow and serves cask ales from local brewery Rebellion. If you’re in town on the first Tuesday of the month, head to the brewery itself for an evening of tours and tastings straight from the tap.
Cross Grade I-listed Marlow Bridge. Fun fact: this suspension bridge was designed by William Tierney Clark and later used as the template for a structure he built to connect Buda and Pest in Hungary.
Fancy walking off that pork pie from lunch? Go for a stroll along the Thames Path and spot wildlife and the occasional boater on the river. Peaceful stuff.
Browse vintage and modern designs at Mooch Boutique and Sahara Boutique, and if threads are more your thing, make a beeline for the dapper menswear in Hewett's.
Marlow had its fair share of famous faces long before celebrity chefs became a thing. Head out on a blue plaque-hunting adventure and find the building where fantastically named 1930s jazz bandleader Ken ‘Snakehips’ Johnson studied, the place TS Eliot called home during WWI and the spot where Mary Shelley wrote ‘Frankenstein’.
The Hand & Flowers, the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars, also has beds where you can lay your head. In keeping with the amazing food, the nearby cottages are no ordinary B&Bs. Rooms come with antique furniture, four-poster beds, enormous copper baths, and even hot tubs. Book a suite in Flower Cottage to make sure you’re close to the main attraction and prepare to be spoilt rotten. With afternoon tea on arrival, a malted-milk nightcap left waiting for you while you’re at dinner or the king of fry-ups the morning after, you won’t be in a rush to return to real life.
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