Explore the real-world places that appear in Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Kingston Bridge and Kingston upon Thames, The Coronation Stone, Hampton Court Palace Maze, Hampton Court Palace, Runnymede and 7 more.
Kingston Bridge — Where the voyage begins
The three friends, J., George and Harris, along with Montmorency the fox terrier, begin their journey upriver from Kingston. Harris and George pick up the boat and the trio set off, though the narrator's comic digressions about the town's antiquities and old oak furniture delay the start. The bridge marks the start of their fortnight of mishaps.
Kingston upon Thames was an ancient market town where several Saxon kings were reputedly crowned. The current Kingston Bridge dates from 1828 and replaced a medieval timber structure.
Kingston is a busy riverside town with shops, restaurants and a pleasant riverside walk. Kingston Bridge still carries traffic across the Thames and offers views of boats and rowers.
Visit: Kingston Riverside Promenade (park)
Guildhall, Kingston — Saxon coronation lore
In Kingston the narrator lingers on the town's history, recalling that Saxon kings were crowned here. His rambling discussion of the ancient town and its relics shows how easily the narrator wanders off topic, a hallmark of the book's comic style.
The Coronation Stone is traditionally associated with the crowning of several Saxon kings in the 10th century, including Athelstan in 925. It was moved to its current site beside the Guildhall in 1935.
The stone sits on a plinth outside the Kingston Guildhall, with the names of the seven Saxon kings inscribed on it. It is freely viewable by the public.
Visit: Coronation Stone (monument)
East Molesey — Harris gets lost in the maze
Harris confidently offers to guide a group through the maze, claiming it is simple, having been inside before. He leads a growing crowd of visitors round in circles, and the keeper eventually has to rescue them. It is one of the most celebrated comic scenes in the book.
The maze was planted around 1700 for William III and is the oldest surviving hedge maze in Britain. It is made of yew and covers about a third of an acre.
The maze is part of Hampton Court Palace's gardens and remains one of its most popular attractions. Visitors can try to reach the center and find their way out.
Visit: Hampton Court Palace (historic site)
Hampton Court Road — Tudor palace on the river
The travelers pass the palace early in the trip and the narrator mentions Hampton Court in connection with the maze episode. The palace represents the grand historical backdrop to the trio's bumbling antics on the river.
Cardinal Wolsey began building the palace in 1515, and Henry VIII took it over in 1529. It was later expanded by William III and Christopher Wren.
The palace is a major visitor attraction with Tudor kitchens, state apartments and formal gardens. It is managed by Historic Royal Palaces.
Visit: Hampton Court Palace (historic site)
Near Egham — Site of Magna Carta
The trio pass the meadow where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215. The narrator reflects on the history of the place, then camps nearby on Magna Charta Island, treating the great charter with typical irreverence.
King John agreed to the Magna Carta here in June 1215 under pressure from rebellious barons. The meadows were later preserved as a memorial landscape.
Runnymede is a National Trust site with memorials to Magna Carta, John F. Kennedy and the Air Forces. It is a quiet meadow beside the Thames, open to walkers.
Visit: Runnymede Memorial and Meadows (monument)
Near Runnymede — Overnight camp spot
The friends moor near this island, where the narrator notes the stone said to have been used for signing the charter. They tell ghostly and comic tales, and the evening shows the trio's hapless attempts at camping and cooking.
The island is traditionally linked with the sealing of Magna Carta. A cottage there houses an inscribed stone said to commemorate the event.
The island is privately owned and not open to the public, though it can be seen from the river and nearby paths.
Near Windsor — Riverside village
The travelers pass Datchet and the narrator recalls the lock and the charm of the riverbank. The stretch includes the usual troubles with tow lines and sculls, with George and Harris grumbling over the rowing.
Datchet is an old village on the Thames with a large village green. It dates back to Saxon times and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Datchet remains a pretty village with a green, pubs and riverside walks. It is a commuter village with a railway station.
Windsor — Royal residence above the river
The travelers pass Windsor and its great castle on the way upriver. The narrator's thoughts on the town and the nearby river scenery give a brief historical interlude between their comic misadventures.
Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
The castle is a working royal residence and a major tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and the grounds.
Visit: Windsor Castle (historic site)
Near Bray — Island on the Thames
The travelers pass Monkey Island on their way up the Thames, a pleasant stretch of the river. The narrator describes the sights and the weariness of rowing as the trio push on toward their next stop.
The island was developed in the 18th century by the Duke of Marlborough, who built a fishing lodge there with decorative monkey paintings. It later became a hotel.
The island is now home to a luxury hotel and is privately accessible. It can be seen from the riverside path and passing boats.
Buckinghamshire — Riverside town and stopover
The three friends reach Marlow, where they spend time on the river and recall past experiences. The town offers a pleasant respite from the rowing and one of the trip's more peaceful moments.
Marlow is an old market town noted for its suspension bridge, built in 1832 by William Tierney Clark. Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary lived here in 1817.
Marlow is a charming riverside town with shops, pubs and its famous bridge. It hosts rowing events and is a popular destination.
Visit: Marlow Bridge and Riverside (landmark)
Berkshire/Oxfordshire border — Where the trio rest
The travelers spend time around Streatley and Goring, where the narrator praises the beauty of the river valley. The area lets him reflect fondly on the charms of the Thames while the three men deal with laundry and supplies.
Goring and Streatley face each other across the Thames at the Goring Gap, between the Chilterns and the Berkshire Downs. A bridge has linked them for centuries.
Both villages are popular with walkers and boaters, with pubs, shops and riverside paths. The Thames Path passes directly through the area.
Visit: Thames Path at Goring and Streatley (park)
Oxfordshire — Turning point of the voyage
The trio reach Oxford and decide to head back downriver, abandoning rowing in favor of being towed along. They give up the effort and let the current carry them home, with the journey winding to its comic conclusion.
Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with teaching dating to the 11th century. The Thames, known locally as the Isis, runs through the city.
Oxford is a world-famous university city with historic colleges, museums and punting on the river. Visitors can explore the Bodleian Library, colleges and riverside walks.
Visit: Oxford Historic Centre (landmark)
More by Jerome K. Jerome: All Jerome K. Jerome books
More novels set in London: Browse all London books on Map A Story
Other nearby maps: Atonement by Ian McEwan locations map · The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst locations map · Matilda by Roald Dahl locations map · For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming locations map