When I left my hometown years ago in search of new horizons, I never expected to return decades later as a house sitter in Marlow—revisiting old haunts and discovering a rich cultural history I had barely noticed as a child.

It may sound Proustian to say memories came back in waves with the first scent of lime trees in the park, but they did. It had been 35 years since I last lived in this lovely Thames-side town, yet the memories returned sharp and crystal clear.

An Unexpected Dog Sitting Call

As the founder of HouseSitMatch.com, the house and pet-sitting platform, I live nearby in High Wycombe. Last week, a friend asked if I could urgently help a dog owner who needed a house sitter in Marlow at the last minute. No one else was available, so I stepped in.

While it felt great to help a new client—and the dogs were completely adorable—I couldn’t have anticipated the avalanche of nostalgia this short assignment would unleash.

My Marlow Origin Story

My family first moved to Marlow in 1973 after a nomadic few years in the Middle East. My parents had lost everything in Sudan following the 1969 revolution; they landed in London with the help of friends and eventually followed others to a quiet backwater in Buckinghamshire called Marlow. At the time, it was a sleepy river town, much forgotten since its 18th-century glory days as a bustling turnpike stop.

Back then, shop opening hours were delightfully quirky: shops opened at noon on Mondays, shut at noon on Wednesdays, and shut again at noon on Fridays! A few might open on Saturday morning, like the newsagents and the local grocery. The height of excitement was the Summer Marlow Regatta in June—the final head before the big one at Henley—when the whole town briefly sprang to life. Otherwise, we all went about our business in a quiet gear, largely unnoticed by anyone outside a five-mile radius.

A Town Transformed

Arriving for my house sit at the end of August, I was amazed by the fair-like atmosphere. Tourists strolled through town, festive bunting hung from central rooftops, and outdoor cafes were packed with visitors enjoying refreshments windows wide open and music pouring out onto the streets. It felt a bit like St. Tropez without the yachts!

There I was ready to take up my serious role as a pet sitter in Marlow when I suddenly hit a lively holiday atmosphere I simply did not expect.

This vibrant backdrop made for an exciting start. But the real treat was caring for my two furry charges: Lulu and Barnie, two loveable Maltese Terriers. Their owner, Lynne, had been let down at the last minute and needed a local house sitter. A mutual friend recommended HouseSit Match, and I was happy to step in.

First Walk: Rediscovering “The Reck”

Lulu and Barnie’s local park happened to sit right opposite where I had lived as a child. Back then, we called it “The Reck”—short for Recreation Ground, though aptly nicknamed “wreck” for good reason! We used to cycle through at top speed to avoid hell-raisers hiding behind abandoned shopping trolleys.

However, stepping into the park today and this time as a dog sitter in Marlow was a revelation. Now named Riley Park (after Edward Riley, a town benefactor who donated the land), it has transformed into a peaceful haven complete with landscaped borders, manicured lawns, and fenced boundaries where dogs can play safely.

Barnie is 12 years old, so Lynne requested keeping daily walks to 30 minutes and not leaving the pair alone for more than five hours. Because the house sit was so central, it gave me the perfect window to wander the streets and retrace my steps on foot.

Green Spaces and Walks

One of the greatest joys for me personally of being a house sitter in Marlow is the sheer variety of green spaces right on your doorstep. Whether you are looking for a quick morning stroll or routes for regular dog walks so they can stretch their legs, Marlow’s parks are exceptional. And for me the lush greenery and smells are so evocative. The scent of lime trees in Higginson Park and the mist along the river sends me right back to my childhood, with late Spring flora and the claggy mist on flooded river banks.

• Higginson Park: The jewel of the town’s green spaces, this sprawling 13-acre park sits right alongside the River Thames. It’s perfect for watching the swans, admiring the vibrant flowerbeds, and taking in views of the historic suspension bridge. It also features a statue of Marlow’s own Olympic legend, Sir Steve Redgrave.
• Riley Park: Located just off West Street, this peaceful, enclosed green space holds a special place in my heart (back in my childhood, we affectionately called it “The Reck”). Today, thanks to fenced boundaries and lovely tree-lined paths, it has transformed into a tranquil haven for local dog walkers and families.
• The May Balfour Garden: Tucked away near the river, this serene, lesser-known garden offers a quieter retreat away from the main bustle—ideal for a moment of quiet reflection during a busy day of pet sitting. Having three beautiful, dog-friendly parks within easy walking distance of the High Street means that both pets and sitters are truly spoiled for choice!

Exploring Historic West Street

During my time as a house sitter in Marlow, I was based in a West Street property dating all the way back to 1510. Inspired by the house’s heritage, I set out to explore the street and read all the blue plaques I’d ignored in my youth.

Though to be honest, I don’t know if back when I lived in Marlow there were many blue plaques on properties in the town. It’s only through my extensive experience of house sitting in Buckinghamshire through HouseSit Match that I have learned what a rich county this is in terms of history and culture, and the appearance of the historic blue plaques has helped me learn more about the specifics of where people who made history have lived around us.

Sir William Borlase’ Grammar School

One of the oldest functioning institutions in town is Sir William Borlase’ Grammar School, where my brother attended secondary school. Founded in 1624 by a local landowner in memory of his son, it was endowed as a free school to teach 24 poor boys to read, write, and “cast accounts.” 350 years later, it was still a boys-only school, meaning I had to commute out to High Wycombe for my own schooling! Though happily I now understand that local girls attend too.

Remnantz & The Military Connection

Further down West Street stands Remnantz. Between 1801 and 1812, this grand building hosted the Senior Division of the Royal Military College (the precursor to Sandhurst). During the Napoleonic Wars, Marlow was designated as one of 60 official “parole towns” for French prisoners of war, chosen for its strategic Thames bridge, prosperous community, and strong military presence.

A Rich Literary Heritage

Directly opposite Remnantz sits Albion House, where romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley lived in 1817. It was here that Mary completed her masterwork, Frankenstein. (You can watch a short video on the Shelleys’ time in Marlow here). They had followed their friend, the satirical author Thomas Love Peacock, who lived right across the street.

Exactly a century later in 1917, poet T.S. Eliot moved to 31 West Street while teaching at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe, and writing early drafts of The Waste Land during his stay. Other literary icons with local ties include Jerome K. Jerome (who penned Three Men in a Boat at the nearby Two Brewers pub) and Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler now immortalised by the Complete Angler Hotel.

Strategic Turnpike Town

One thing I never realized growing up was that Marlow was formally designated a major turnpike hub under the 1768 Reading and Hatfield Road Act, which is what put it on the map, so to speak. Positioned at a vital Thames bridge crossing, it became a key stopover on the famous “Gout Track“—a route taken by aristocracy traveling between their country estates and the spa waters of Bath.

Today, as I walk through one of the most vibrant High Streets in the UK, it occurs to me that this strategic location has permanently embedded Marlow as a vibrant hub of commercial and cultural activity. Now what could other High Streets do to reinvigorate their trade and visitor numbers? People, location, reasons to visit and commerce. There might be something in that, thinking as a visiting house sitter in Marlow.

Historic Town Achieves Cult Status

Marlow has an ever growing reputation as a film and TV hub. While Marlow is known for its riverside setting, affluent character, restaurants, and notable residents, which frequently brings coverage in regional and national publications latterly it’s gained more prominence as the site of Marlow Studios. These new Studios represent one of the largest investments in the UK creative sector in recent decades. It has been founded on the belief that today’s leading production companies need something different. While initially controversial, the plans for the studios were approved at Cabinet Office level and are now underway accommodating all forms of modern media technology.

Beyond big studio plans, everyday life in Marlow feels remarkably linked to the screen. Ever heard of The Marlow Murder Club? I hadn’t known much about the hit TV adaptation until I arrived at my house sit, only to learn from the homeowner that filming takes place all over town—in the summer, locals practically trip over the camera crews! When I mentioned it to a few American friends, several confessed they watch it religiously, while others had it at the top of their watchlist.

Walking Lulu and Barnie in my daily role of house sitter in Marlow and then while on my own nostalgic tour, I walked past iconic landmarks like the Marlow Suspension Bridge and the High Street I couldn’t help looking around. My walks took on a fun new twist—it felt like strolling through a live TV set! For any visiting house sitter, spotting familiar filming locations on your daily dog walk adds a delightful extra layer of magic to staying in town.

BIO

By Lamia Walker – Founder of HouseSit Match

Lamia Walker created HouseSitMatch.com from a personal passion for pets and travel, a global housesitting community she has grown over more than a decade. She believes in safe, vetted matches and the power of trust between homeowners and sitters. Through practical guidance and personal experience, Lamia helps people travel with confidence while their homes and pets are cared for.

Further Reading

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice such as this one on a House Sitter in Marlow remembering times past. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitting and petsitting useful.

How to become a full time housesitter

Housesitting abroad – Travelling as a housesitter

The Digital Nomad’s Toolkit

What is House Sitting?