Easter

Fancy some time away over Easter, or a day out as spring beckons... the River Thames has plenty of offers to inspire your visit and plenty of things to do! Avoid the crowds, there’s plenty of space along the river.

There’s still time to book a Thames weekend away for two or a great Thames family getaway, even if you’ve only got a day.  Here is a selection of Thames Easter Holiday Ideas that won’t break the bank, or treat yourself to a luxury stay. 

• Stay at Henley Greenlands Hotel, once the home of the WH Smith family. It is set within the 30 acre Henley Business School estate in the Oxfordshire countryside, providing well-appointed accommodation on the banks of the River Thames.
• Danesfield House Hotel & Spa. enjoy an Easter Afternoon Tea 18 Apr 2025 to 21 Apr 2025 or Easter Egg Hunt  (20-21 April 10.30am-2.30pm).   Danesfield Easter Experiences. Lunch or Afternoon Tea may be booked in the hotel beforehand or afterwards.
• Crowne Plaza Marlow is a stunning lakeside location, set in 5 acres of beautiful countryside and has a selection of packages to choose from .

Take a boat trip along the Thames

• Hobbs of Henley Easter Sunday Lunch Cruise, Henley on Thames - Sunday 20 April 2025. Hobbs of Henley also offers daily Boat Trips and Self-Drive Hire from an hour or more.
• Wind in the Willows Country Cruise (Thames Explorer 90 mins), Caversham  - Easter Holidays (weekends only). The most popular trip takes you to Mapledurham Lock, which feels a world away from life in Reading. Following the Thames upstream, you will see wildlife, open countryside, islands and look out towards the Berkshire Downs. 
• London's 24hours Hop on and Hop off river pass e - This Easter make the most of London's breath-taking riverside landmarks with a hop on hop off river pass that lasts for 24hours! There’s so much to see and do along the Thames, and with a hop-on hop-off ticket, London becomes your playground. 

Try a Boating Holiday

What better way to celebrate Easter than a Thames boating holiday. Whether you want to drive yourself or let somebody else do the driving for you. There’s plenty of choice from a Linssen luxury cruiser, a Dutch barge and the fleets of Kris Cruisers and Le Boat.

Get outdoors

There’s some wonderful places along the Thames with play areas and trails for children that will keep them occupied and get some fresh air for all the family:

• There’s 10 acres of fun and adventure at Tumblestone Hollow and the Gardens at Stonor to explore. Tumblestone Hollow is set within the grounds of Stonor Park. Designed for children of all ages especially children up to around 12. There’s enough to do to keep you busy for half a day or more and the Rumble and Jumble Huts offer wood-fired pizzas, Italian Gelato ice cream and American style milkshakes. The popular Easter Trail returns to the beautiful gardens and adventure playground 5-21 April 2025.
• Cliveden National Trust Garden offers a host of activities for families to make the most of the great outdoors. From woodland play trails, a character-filled play area designed for under 10s and plenty of open space.   A wild woodland trail with a difference…around every corner you’ll find a new place to play and test your climbing, balancing and den building skills. Get lost in the giant Yew Tree Maze made from over 1000 yew trees and explore the Storybook Play Den; carved wooden models of favourite storybook characters fill the Play Den, including Peter Pan, Captain Hook and his arch enemy the ever-hungry crocodile.
• Combine a visit to Savill Garden with the Obelisk Lawn Play Area.
• The Savill Garden offers beautiful gardens with buggy-friendly paths. It’s free for children under 6 to visit The Savill Garden, and we also have excellent offers for families and children under 16. The Obelisk Lawn children’s play area offers a good selection of low level play equipment which is perfect for children of pre-school age. It is located close to the picnic tables on Obelisk Lawn, with views overlooking the nearby Obelisk Pond - where there are plenty of ducks and swans which your children will enjoy feeding.
• Seek out the Lindt GOLD BUNNY (29 Mar-25 Apr 2025) and discover the stories of fascinating people who visited, lived and worked at Hampton Court Palace. Run free in the 60 acres of Henry VIII's gardens to find the hidden Lindt GOLD BUNNY statues. Match up the name of the important palace character on the trail to the red ribbon on the bunny statue at each location. With each Lindt GOLD BUNNY you find, you'll uncover a fascinating story. Can you find them all?
• Take a walk along the Thames Path National Trail. Take a look at the selection of walks along the river Thames.
• What could be better than a walk in the countryside to get the blood pumping followed by a well-earned drink and a bite to eat in a fine public house? Brakspear has produced a series of walks from some of their pubs that can be downloaded or followed on their app!
• Book a session at the River Thames Mini Golf, at Staines where the historic towns and iconic landmarks of the River Thames region come alive in miniature form.

Include a Museum Visit

Take a look at what's on in Henley, Marlow, Reading and Windsor this Easter.

• What's On Henley - Kenton Theatre's Easter programme includes: The Wizard of Oz, Morgan & West`s Massive Magic Show for kids, Mark Thompsons Spectacular Science, Cartoon Circus Live and The Museum of Marvellous Things.
• What's on Marlow - Marlow Easter Trail and Marlow Spring Festival.
• What's on Reading - Cavershams Court Gardens Easter Trail, Easter DET-EGG-TIVES event, Sing-a-Long-a Matilda The Musical (PG) at The Hexagon and Lego Masterbuilders Workshop at Reading Town Hall.
• What's on Windsor - The Windsor Town Centre Easter Trail, Easter Egg-splorers | Easter holiday activities at Windsor Castle, watch Changing the Guard or Rubbish Shakespeare Company: Romeo and Juliet at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, an anarchic and joyous family friendly treat. Featuring clowning, slapstick and knowingly mischievous storytelling.