The Compleat Angler is a grand riverside hotel right beside Marlow Bridge, and while the rooms are expensive, you do not need to stay to enjoy the best part: the terrace bar overlooking the weir and the river. On a summer afternoon, with the water rushing over the weir and boats passing through the lock downstream, it is hard to beat as a spot for a drink.
The terrace serves cocktails, wine, and afternoon tea, and the setting does most of the work. Prices reflect the location — expect London-level charges for drinks. The hotel takes its name from Izaak Walton's 1653 book on fishing, and there is a literary, slightly old-fashioned feel to the place. Even if you do not stop for a drink, walk past and look at the view from the bridge — the hotel, the weir, and the church spire together make Marlow's finest composition.