Henley-on-Thames is renowned for its rowing, especially the Henley Royal Regatta held annually in early July. The town also boasts an eclectic range of independent shops and cafes.
The town is easy to get around and is only a short drive from Oxford, Reading and Windsor. Henley-on-Thames Station offers regular train services operated by First Great Western.
Getting There
There are a number of ways to get to Henley-On-Thames Station including Taxis, Buses, and Trains.
Trains to Henley are operated by Great Western Railway and take 49 min on average. However, this can vary significantly during holidays or weekends when only limited services are running.
Buses to Henley are operated by Thames Travel X38 and Arriva 800/850. Both of these services run from Oxford to Henley via Wallingford. The Henley Hopper is another option and runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, serving locations in Henley, Reading, and High Wycombe.
Henley-on-Thames is synonymous with the River Thames and Henley Royal Regatta, but there is much more to discover in this quaint market town. The town is a great place for shopping, with famous high street brands and plenty of independent shops to choose from. It is also home to a variety of restaurants and cafés, as well as the River and Rowing Museum.
Getting Around
Henley-on-Thames is the perfect destination for a day of relaxation on the river or exploring its history. The town is at the point where Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire meet, with the Thames flowing right through its centre. From its Regatta site in Temple Island Meadow to the charming market square, Henley is a place to enjoy everything about the non-tidal Thames.
The station has 32 trains a day from London that take 49 minutes on average to get you there, although this time can vary on weekends or holidays. It is best to book tickets in advance as prices can increase closer to departure.
If you want to avoid paying full price for your train ticket, you can use a discount railcard. The best way to find out if your trip qualifies is to visit the train company’s website and look for the GroupSave option. This will appear in the ‘Railcard’ dropdown menu when making a booking online.
Things to Do in Henley-on-Thames
The town of Henley-on-Thames is surrounded by lush Chiltern countryside and it’s easy to spend your whole day exploring its charms. You can take a riverside walk and enjoy the views, or a stroll around the pretty market town centre with its boutique shops. Henley’s River & Rowing Museum is one of the best independent museums in the UK and tells the story of the Thames, and the international sport of rowing. It has plenty of fun exhibitions and displays for children too, including the enchanting ‘Wind in the Willows’ gallery.
Most pictures and postcards of Henley feature the beautiful Henley Bridge, and it’s well worth a stroll over this five-arched structure that spans the River Thames from Henley to Remenham. Look closely at the carved heads on the central arch for a special Henley in Bloom bonus.
Henley has two public parklands, the more formal Mill Meadows and the less manicured Marsh Meadows, both of which are popular places for a picnic or just to roll out a rug with a book and watch the world go by. There is even a bandstand at the end of the promenade where you can catch a live concert during the summer.
Henley’s main streets are decorated with flower baskets for Henley in Bloom, and you can browse small, specialist shops like Temptation Gifts and the local Bagatelle toy shop for something a little different. Henley has some great pubs as well, with The Angel on the Bridge a favourite, right by Henley Bridge.
Restaurants in Henley-on-Thames
This thriving market town has a buzzing food and drink scene with plenty of cosy pubs and fine dining eateries dotted along the riverside. It’s known internationally for the Henley Royal Regatta rowing race that draws some of the world’s finest rowers, but it also hosts an annual music and arts festival as well as a host of other events. The town’s historic centre has a market square, many local shops and the 13th century St Mary’s Church. The town’s River & Rowing Museum also pleases visitors of all ages.
Henley is a quintessentially British town, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of great pubs to choose from. There are options to suit every taste, from a modern country inn to one of England’s most painted and photographed pubs that’s over 250 years old. Diners can enjoy pub classics like a burger and chips, a lazy brasserie-style lunch party or a candlelit dinner for two. You can also find gourmet grab-and-go food at The Deli, which serves up Henley-based products such as Horsebox coffee, Paul Rhodes pastries and Giovanni’s gelato. Henley’s newest restaurant is Sage + Squash, which opened in February 2021 and features Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef Emma Nettleton. This glass-fronted space serves breakfast and lunch dishes plus wine and cocktails in a laid-back setting.
