The Thames Club

The Thames Club sits right on the water in Chertsey, a proper riverside sports facility that's been part of the local scene for decades. It's a rowing and watersports club - think oars, sculls, and serious athletes training on the Thames - but it's the sort of place that gives you a real sense of what recreational boating culture looks like along this stretch of the river.

You won't find much here if you're just after a casual stroll and a cup of tea. This is a working club with genuine members, not a visitor attraction in the traditional sense. That said, if you've got an interest in rowing or water sports, or you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Penton Park or Laleham Camping Club, it's worth cycling past to see the activity on the water. The riverside setting is lovely, and you'll catch all sorts of boats coming and going during morning and evening training sessions.

If you're hoping to visit with kids, call ahead first - it's very much a members' club, so access might be limited unless you've got an introduction or a genuine reason to be there. Much better as a visual landmark than a destination in itself. The real appeal here is getting a flavour of the Thames as an active waterway rather than just a scenic backdrop. Pair it with a walk along the towpath or a visit to one of the caravan sites in the area, and you'll get the full picture of what makes Chertsey's riverside worth exploring.