Henley-on-Thames is arguably one of the most beautiful towns in England and was recently voted by The Times as one of the best places to live in the English countryside. Henley’s riverside location, surrounded by a Chiltern landscape of wooded hills and green fields, lends itself to relaxation, long lunches, overnight stays and shopping. There’s a pub where Charles I drank, a Chantry house, a butcher that smokes his own meat and independent shops still offering the personal touch. Henley is a regular winner of RHS Britain in Bloom medals and the home of that other well-known TV detective, Detective Barnaby of Midsomer Murders fame.
Henley-on-Thames is twinned with Falaise, Leichlingen and Bled. The town also has a friendship link with Borama in Somalia. Home to the Henley Royal Regatta, arguably the best-known regatta in the world. It is one of the jewels in Henley’s crown.
Henley’s historic heart sits a few strides from the River Thames. The main street has many Georgian frontages covering older buildings and among the 300 buildings within the town designated ‘of special architectural or historical interest’ are St Mary’s Church, the Town Hall, Market Place and Henley Bridge.
Whether it’s 10 Brilliant Things To Do, the Henley Trail, Gallery Trail, Henley Town Map or the Midsomer – Henley’s Murderous Locations – leaflets are available from the Information centre in the Town Hall to provide more inspiration.
This is a town dedicated to enjoying the river. So bring a picnic, pick up a copy of The Wind in the Willows, rent a deckchair and settle for an hour or two at Mill Meadows. Or get on the river yourself, hire a boat and join in the fun with one of the town’s oldest businesses, Hobbs of Henley down on the riverside.
