Right on the South Oxfordshire border sits the quintessential market town of Henley-on-Thames. As its name reveals, Henley straddles the River Thames, with the waterway offering beauty, character, heritage and a wealth of attractions to the town.
At one of the most scenic stretches of the River Thames, and with a centre brimming with historical and architectural delights, Henley-on-Thames has been voted one of the best places to live in England. It’s a regular winner of RHS Britain in Bloom medals and is popular and welcoming to buyers and renters from all walks of life.
Alongside miles of weaving walking routes and cycling paths, the River Thames provides a backdrop to Henley’s most famous annual event – the Royal Regatta. Arguably the world’s greatest rowing showcase, it sees elite rowers descend on the town every year to prove their skill in a variety of races across the multi-day event.
Whilst the Royal Regatta may be the most prestigious celebration in Henley, the town also hosts: Rewind Festival – the biggest celebration of 80s music; a Fringe Festival; a Literary Festival; ‘Dusty Day’ – celebrating the life of Dusty Springfield; and the magnificent Henley Festival. This is a five-day party of music, arts, comedy and culture, with some of the world’s finest performers taking to a floating stage in the middle of the River Thames.
When you’re not spectating on the riverside, take a cruise along it on a steamer, boat or barge – or try your hand at rowing if you’re feeling energetic. Retire to the town centre, and enjoy an area little changed since the Victorian era. Georgian fronts still line the street, home to a multitude of independent shops, local cafes and tearooms, and a superb selection of delicious restaurants.
Whatever your passions and pursuits, from young families to retired couples, Henley-on-Thames is a town that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Transportation in Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is easily reached by both the M40 to the north and the M4 to the south. London is just 30 miles away, and Reading is less than 10 miles. Maidenhead, Oxford and destinations across the south-west are also within striking distance given the close proximity to the motorway network.
A number of buses serve the town, including a direct service to Reading town centre. Henley-on-Thames has a railway station on the First Great Western line, with a direct service to London Paddington at peak times. At other times, Twyford provides convenient connections to London, Reading, Oxford and beyond. The journey time to the capital is approximately 45 minutes.
Things to do in Henley-on-Thames
Regardless of the time of year in Henley-on-Thames, there is always an incredible range of activities to try, sights to see, and places to enjoy. From walking along the River Thames to catching an exciting performance at one the town’s famous festivals, attractions are plentiful in Henley, including:
- Henley Royal Regatta
- Henley Festival of Music & Arts
- Rewind Music Festival
- River & Rowing Museum
- Kenton Theatre
- Henley Gallery Trail
- Chantry House
- Henley Bridge
- Fawley Court
- Picturehouse Cinema
- The Thames Path
- Marsh Lock
- St Mary’s Church
What is Henley Like?
A regular winner of RHS Britain in Bloom medals, and surrounded by a Chiltern landscape of wooded hills and green fields, Henley is a perfect place for someone who is looking for somewhere beautiful and cultured to live.
A quick walk around Henley-on-Thames reveals how the town is steeped in history. Henley dates back to the 12th Century, playing host to more than 300 listed buildings, including the Old Bell Pub, which is not only the oldest building in town but also claims to have been where King Charles I drank.
The royal connections don’t end there. Since 1834, Henley has played host to the world’s greatest rowing showcase, the Royal Regatta. Each year, elite rowers take to the Thames and compete to prove their skill over multiple days of events.
Unsurprisingly, the Thames has a big role to play in Henley. A town that’s hosted the most prestigious rowing event for over a century unsurprisingly runs an equally prestigious rowing club, More than the Regatta, the Thames provides an opportunity for residents to row themselves, or even take a cruise along it. So it’s no surprise that Henley plays host to a River & Rowing Museum that celebrates Henley’s relationship with the Thames as well as local history and art.
Some of the many highlights of Henley-on-Thames include:
- As one of the biggest rowing competitions in the world, the Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the biggest events in Henley’s calendar, and a huge draw of crowds and excitement.
- Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery has been crafting stunning wines and ales on the slopes of the Chiltern Hills since 1982. Visitors can partake in a two-hour tour and tasting experience, and even stay the night in the onsite B&B!
- With over eight centuries of history behind it, Henley is a treasure trove for history lovers. National Trust sites such as Nuffield Place and Greys Court are right on your doorstep, and you can walk a trail of historical sites covering the entire town.
- The Kenton Threatre is the fourth-oldest working theatre in the UK, putting on everything from comedy to drama, music to literary festivals. There’s always something exciting on-stage at the Kenton!
Transport Links
Henley’s rail connection to Twyford provides links direct to the heart of London in as little as 53 minutes, as well as to destinations such as Reading in 40 minutes and Oxford in just over an hour.
Drivers will enjoy ready access to both the M40 and the M4, providing straightforward routes to destinations such as Reading (8 miles), Oxford (24 miles), and Maidenhead (9 miles).
Buses also connect Henley with Reading, as well as operating a local service around the town itself.
Schools in the Area
Henley-on-Thames is an attractive place to live for families thanks to its range of quality schools and colleges, making it an excellent place for children to learn and grow.
Parents of primary-age children will be drawn to Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. Ofsted remarked upon the “purposeful, friendly atmosphere in school”, which is reflected in the ‘good’ rating it gave the school. Parents looking for other options will be impressed by Trinity Church of England Primary School which received ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, and supports a strong community of parents and children.
Parents of older children will look to Gillots School, which enjoys a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted. The Henley College is a Sixth Form college that also enjoys a ‘good’ rating. Both offer the children of Henley a superb level of education.
Meanwhile, The Henley College provides an excellent start to your child’s further education: 87% of students go on to gain a First Class or Upper Second-Class Honours degree, and that shows in the college’s popularity: one in every six people in the town is a Henley College student!
And speaking of degrees, Henley is just 20 minutes away from Reading and its famous university, which regularly ranks in the top 1% of universities around the world.
Attractions in Henley
You can’t talk about Henley-on-Thames without talking about the Royal Regatta. Held in Henley since 1834, it’s perhaps the most famous rowing regatta in the world, with nearly 400 races featuring both Olympians and rising stars. Lasting for five days, the Regatta is an excuse to dress up, enjoy fine food and a few drinks, and watch the best rowing competition in the UK.
There’s plenty to do outside the five days of the Royal Regatta. Residents wanting to know more about the river their town straddles will enjoy the River & Rowing Museum, which celebrates so much more than the Thames. Three galleries are dedicated to the river and to rowing, but there are a further three galleries dedicated to local art: the Wind in the Willows, which famously took its inspiration from the Thames; the life and work of internationally-renowned artist John Piper; and a wide variety of local projects and work from community groups.
History buffs will find plenty to delight them in Henley. Nearby Nuffield Place is a National Trust property, once home to Lord Nuffield, founder of Morris Motors Limited, of the Nuffield Foundation, the Nuffield Trust and Nuffield College, Oxford. He also helped to create what is now known as Nuffield Health! Nuffield Place has been preserved as a time capsule of when the irrepressible philanthropist made it his home.
For an altogether different kind of culture, Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery has been crafting stunning wines and ales on the slopes of the Chiltern Hills since 1982. Visitors can partake in a two-hour tour and tasting experience that showcases the blend of tradition and technology and ends with a tutored tasting in a wide selection of wines, ales, and liqueurs. There’s even a B&B onsite if you decide to stay the night!
Bars, Restaurants and Nightlife
Henley has a huge variety of places where you can drink, eat, and enjoy yourself.
Hart Street plays host to familiar high street names such as Cafe Rouge, Giggling Squid, and Zizzi. But you’ll also find some spectacular independent names in Henley.
For example, the Bottle & Glass Inn might look like any other traditional English pub, with its thatched roof and rustic interior, but this is a pub with a Michelin star. Opened in 2017 after extensive refurbishment, the Bottle & Glass Inn offers a menu that mixes burgers, pizza, venison and lobster that has to be tasted to be believed. True to its name, the Inn also provides rooms, making it a perfect place for visitors to stay.
If you’re looking for somewhere to drink, you’ll find the Bird in Hand is something of a hidden gem in Henley. The secluded garden with its babbling water fountain is an oasis within the town, and the cosy interior is perfect for a relaxing drink. The friendly staff and welcoming landlords mean you’ll be making this your local!
If you’re looking for more food with a Michelin star, Crockers Henley is a trio of award-winning restaurants. Ember is the à la carte restaurant, offering a delicious range of dishes cooked over coals. The Thames is the first of the two chef’s tables, offering a ringside seat to watch your local cuisine being prepared while the third restaurant, Gardiner, does the same for its pan-Asian menu.
For a great night out, try Magoo’s. A cocktail bar that has a great pizza menu too, this is a great venue for drinks and dancing. There’s a back room that you can hire for parties and events, or just to keep your dance moves between yourself and your friends!
For a more relaxed evening, head over to the Kenton Theatre. It’s the fourth-oldest working theatre in the UK and plays host to comedy, drama, music, talks and more. A number of famous faces have trodden the boards at the Kenton, from Diana Rigg and Kate Winslet to Jeremy Irons and Russell Brand. You can find anything from literary festivals to jazz at the Kenton, and it’s available to hire too.
Leisure Centres and Outdoor Activities
If you’re looking to get active, there’s no better place to do it than Henley.
Henley Leisure Centre is Henley’s biggest fitness space, offering a 50 station gym and a separate fitness and cycling studio that offer more than 20 classes each week. There’s also a 25m swimming pool which also offers children’s swimming lessons, a 4-court badminton hall, two squash courts, and five-a-side football.
If you’re looking for a gym with an ultra-modern twist, take a look at Fitness Space in the heart of Henley. It’s a fully-equipped gym with a training space, but its biggest difference is the focus on bespoke training. The coaches focus on your health history, your competencies, and even your DNA to put together a bespoke fitness programme that’s uploaded to your Fitness Space app. This is not your average gym!
Just like the rest of the town, Henley Golf Club is steeped in history. Founded in 1907, the course winds its way between the ancient trees of Harpsden Wood. Visitors will enjoy 18-hole and 9-hole courses that both offer a beautiful backdrop to challenging games. Alternatively, you can make the most of the club’s driving range, practice green and bunkers, or sign up to lessons.
If you’re looking to mix your putt with some fun, try Henley Adventure Golf. The course celebrates Henley’s history, and the 18 holes will take you past iconic landmarks like Temple Island, the home of Beatles guitarist George Harrison, and the Thames itself. Try not to lose your ball in the waters!
Speaking of water, residents can get out on the Thames themselves with the Henley Rowing Club, with lessons for both adults and juniors, as well as structured squads for those who would like to compete. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or entirely new to the water, you’ll be welcome at the club.
History of Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames has an international reputation as the location of the world famous Royal Regatta since 1834, but its origins as a market town pre-date its rowing heritage by hundreds of years.
With a prominent location on the River Thames, there’s been a settlement at Henley since at least the 12th century (when records began), and probably a number of years before that. Henley Bridge was first mentioned in 1234, although the current, iconic five-arch structure – a grade I listed building – was built in 1786.
There are over 300 buildings in Henley-on-Thames that are listed as having ‘special architectural or historical interest’, including St Mary’s Church, Chantry House, and the Old Bell Pub – the oldest building in the town and reportedly a place where King Charles I drank. The regular weekly market in Henley draws crowds today as it has done for over 700 years.
In 1829, the very first boat race between Oxford and Cambridge was held at Henley; the winning boat can still be seen in the River & Rowing Museum.