Henley
is the jewel in Oxfordshire’s crown. Nestling deep
in the Thames Valley, it is one of the county’s
most picturesque towns.
 Surrounded
by lush woodland, it is the quintessential English
small town, peaceful and self-contained, yet
it is only a few miles from the hustle and bustle
of motorway traffic, en route to the capital.
While fashions may change and people look to
exotic destinations for their pleasure, this
little jewel continues to attract visitors from
all over the world to sample its delights.
 But
Henley has anything but a small town mentality. Known
and lauded the world over for its Royal Regatta, it is
inundated each summer by international oarsmen and visitors,
eager to be a part of one of the great sporting and social
events.
 The
new River and Rowing Museum in its award-winning
building is proving to be a magnet for those
who want to learn about the history of rowing,
the mighty Thames and, of course, the town. Who
can forget that marvellous day in November 1998
when Her Majesty the Queen performed the official
opening honours.
For
more than 150 years Henley has been synonymous with the
sport of rowing and for five days of the year it becomes
the focus of world attention during the prestigious Henley
Royal Regatta.
And throughout the year, those out for
a stroll along the towpath can enjoy watching crews in
training from both local clubs and the world famous Leander
Club which has its headquarters just downstream of the
bridge.
Nor
does the town's sporting interest stop there. Rugby, football
and cricket thrive. The Henley Hawks is one of the top
28 rugby clubs in the country.
 And
there is so much else to do here, if you just take the
time to look for it. Obviously, there is the river; just
take a trip downstream, on the water or on the towpath,
towards Hambleden Lock, and ahead of you is one of the
finest, serene views in England.
For ramblers, the surrounding hills and woodland are
criss-crossed with footpaths. With Henley as the hub, a circular walk is an attractive
pastime, and one to end with a welcome cup of tea or coffee in one of the town’s
many teashops or cafes.
 Or
why not wander around some of Henley’s ancient streets, past the historic
Henley Brewery, the home of Brakspear’s ales? Or combine the old and
new by visiting the quaint Kenton Theatre, said to be the fourth oldest in
the country, then take in the latest movie at our Regal Cinema. The townsfolk
campaigned for ten years for it to be built after the old one was pulled down.
 The
town has its own symphony orchestra and a choral society. Numerous art galleries
show constantly-changing exhibitions. The Henley
Show of Music and Arts
in July is an important date in the town's calendar.
As
for the shops, there is something for everybody and to
suit all pockets - fashion boutiques, some selling clothes
by top designers, two premier supermarkets, old-fashioned
butcher shops, privately-run bakeries and tea rooms with
delicious home-made cakes. One of our traditional butchers,
Gabriel Machin, even smokes salmon in his own smokehouse.
Whatever you want, Henley will have it in abundance. Good food in fine restaurants,
riverside walks, sports facilities. We even have a nearby stately home, Stonor
Park.
People
can feel pampered when they visit Henley. |
