From the River

Notes from the house and the river.

People, conversations, books, artists, the house, the river, gatherings, and occasional pieces from the Observatory.

The club's riverside house in daylight, seen across the lawn

On the river

A day on the river from London, by the Elizabeth line

London to a riverbank in Berkshire, without a car, in less time than most people spend deciding where to go.

five minutes

On the river

Autumn on the Thames

The river does something in October that it does not manage in any other month, and it is worth arranging a visit around.

five minutes

Black-and-white image of a woman walking barefoot at the river’s edge

On the river

Bray, Cookham and the villages you can reach on foot

Three villages, two directions, and no need for a car if you are willing to walk the lanes and towpaths between them.

five minutes

A woman drinking tea beside a misted window in soft morning light

At the house

Choosing a wellness retreat near London

A short list of what actually matters when you are weighing up where to spend a weekend meant for rest, and what tends to be noise.

five minutes

Sunlight breaking on the surface of the river

On the river

Cliveden from the river

The view from the water explains Cliveden better than any approach by car ever could.

five minutes

Bare feet dipping into the river from a mossy stone edge, autumn leaves on the water

At the house

Cold water, warm room

The Thames at dawn and a heated room a few steps away make an old, simple pairing that people keep coming back to.

five minutes

On the river

Marlow, Hurley and the upper reach

Upstream of Maidenhead the Thames narrows, slows further still, and arrives at a bridge, a weir and a scattering of islands worth knowing about.

five minutes

Black-and-white view of sun loungers on a riverside deck looking across the Thames to a stone bridge.

On the river

Things to do in Maidenhead, from the riverbank

Start at the water's edge in Maidenhead and most of what matters within an hour of London turns out to be a walk, a towpath or a short drive away.

five minutes

A stone bridge over the Thames in morning mist

On the river

Walking the Thames Path from Maidenhead to Cookham

One stretch of the Thames Path, a few hours on your feet, and a village at the end of it that has barely changed its mind about anything.

five minutes

Two guests in rocking chairs in the riverside lounge, bay windows onto the river

At the house

What a weekend at River Arts Club actually looks like

Less a timetable than a rhythm, built around light, movement and a room you are not in a hurry to leave.

five minutes

White attic bedroom with a curved bay window, a jute pouf on sisal carpet and a bed in the foreground.

At the house

What to pack for a riverside retreat, in every season

A little different every season, but the same basic instinct applies whenever you come: bring less structure and more layers than you think you need.

five minutes

On the river

Windsor the quiet way

The castle draws the crowds, but the park, the walk and the village across the bridge give Windsor room to be quiet as well as grand.

five minutes