Marlow is without a doubt one of the loveliest locations on the River Thames, set amongst the rich meadows of the river valley and alongside the woodlands of the Chiltern Hills which is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Marlow has been named as the county's 'coolest' place to live in the UK by Naturecan - earning a place in the UK's top three in the process.
This vibrant Georgian market town is made up of historic streets with small listed buildings and an abundance of boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and bistros all adding to the town’s unique charm.
The town’s most famous landmark is the suspension bridge which spans the River Thames and joins the counties of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. The bridge was designed by William Tierney Clark who also designed the bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and it first opened in 1832. The Thames made Marlow what it is today, putting it on the map first as a river crossing and then as an inland port.
Marlow has always been known as a fashionable riverside resort and attracted many famous people to the area. Residents of the town have included Thomas Love Peacock, Jerome K. Jerome, T.S. Eliot and Mary Shelley who finished her gothic masterpiece Frankenstein while living in the town. The 18th century also saw the arrival of Dr Battie, a specialist in nervous diseases from whose name the term 'batty' is said to have sprung. He designed and built Court Garden House in Higginson Park, but absent-mindedly forgot to include a staircase!
Marlow is also home to one of Britain’s most premier rowing clubs which has produced many Olympic oarsmen including Sir Steve Redgrave.
Points of Interest
- Sir Steve Redgrave statue - A statue of Marlow's five time Olympic rowing hero unveiled by Her Majest the Queen in 2002 in Higginson Park.
- All Saints Church - erected in 1835 on the site of an 11th century church with a spire that soars 170ft above the town.
- Marlow Lock - provides a stunning point over the town and river, it is busy in season with passing pleasure boats.
- St Peter Street - Home to a number of historical buildings including The Old Parsonage and St Peters Church which is said to house the mummified hand of St James the Apostle.
- Marlow Place - the finest Georgian house in Marlow built for the Earl of Portsmouth circa 1720 and now a Grade 1 listed building.
- Balfour Gardens - situated on Institute Road, a tranquil ornamental walled garden which houses the Akeler Sundial by acclaimed sculptor Edwin Russell.
- Shelley House - a plaque on number 104 West Street marks the home of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein whilst living there.
- Marlow Common - great fund to explore and discover the First World War training trenches.
You can view the points of interest on the Marlow Town Map.
Murder comes to Marlow!
A gripping new cosy crime and mystery series 'The Marlow Murder Club', by Robert Thorogood, the creator of the hit TV series Death in Paradise, sets a series of murders in and around Marlow.
Take a look at the other Murder TV series Marlow connections.
