Gateway to town’s brewery past

WHARFE Lane is one of Henley’s prettiest no-through roads by the river.

Gateways is Grade II listed, set behind wrought-iron gates and is just a minute’s stroll from the Thames and Henley Bridge yet offers the kind of seclusion one would expect from the countryside.

Inside, the ground floor opens into a generous sitting room with an open fireplace framed by old oak beams that have almost certainly heard a few tales from Henley Royal Regatta in their time.

From here, the house unfolds through a separate dining room into the kitchen-breakfast area, which looks out over a small terrace and bijou courtyard garden.

At the end of the terrace stands a charming shed crying out to be turned into a summerhouse, writing hut or riverside retreat.

Upstairs are three bedrooms — two doubles and a good-sized single — along with two bathrooms, one of them an en suite to the principal bedroom.

The top-floor views are a delight. The front bedroom offers glimpses of the river and bridge, while the rear bedroom looks across to the pretty rooftops and leafy views of the surrounding historic buildings.

The ceilings are unusually high for a listed property of this period, lending it an airy, uncluttered feel and throughout are the quirks that make old houses such fun to live in, such as hidden cupboards, wooden floors and nooks that turn children into explorers.

At the front, the paved courtyard, enclosed by railings and gates, could double as a single parking space or be kept as a smart seating area.

The rear terrace enjoys a westerly aspect, so you can watch the evening light slip across the rooftops with a glass in hand after a stroll along the towpath.

Wharfe Lane is one of Henley’s most atmospheric enclaves, tracing a line from Thames Side up to New Street and home to some of the town’s most characterful architecture.

In earlier centuries this area was at the heart of Henley’s brewing and boat-building industries. The nearby Brakspear Brewery, established in 1711, once filled the air with the unmistakable scent of malt and hops. The brewery’s workers and the river tradesmen would have known this little lane well, using it as a route between the Thames wharves and the town centre.

Wharfe Lane itself reflects Henley’s transformation over the centuries, from a timber-framed medieval settlement to the elegant brick-built market town it became by the late 18th century.

The lane’s collection of period houses, with their red brick façades, white brick quoins and sash windows, marks a time of architectural confidence and craftsmanship. Its raised position above the Thames gave it both protection from flooding and a strategic vantage point, linking the practical riverside industries with the genteel prosperity of the growing town.

Wharfe Lane is tucked between New Street and the riverside, a short amble from the Kenton Theatre, Phyllis Court Club and all the cafés, shops and restaurants that make Henley such a desirable place to live. Moorings are nearby, making it an especially tempting prospect for anyone who likes the idea of stepping from their front door to the water in moments.

l Gateways has a guide price of £995,000, freehold, with no onward chain. For more information and to arrange a viewing, call Robinson Sherston on (01491) 411911.