HENLEY-ON-THAMES
Rowing, Revolution and Antiques
Henley-on-Thames
is the home to the Royal Rowing Regatta held every June on the
river which meanders through southern
Oxfordshire and a clue in the “The Davinci Code” referring
to the legendary “old school” rivalary of the
Oxford - Cambridge rowing race. The 12th Century town provides
a
wealth of attractions,
balloon rides and tea rooms, antique shops as old as the antiques
on offer, the Henley Music and Art Festival in summer
(see Henley
Festival),
boat rentals and cruises from the stone Henley Bridge which has
been a fixture
since 1786 and the subject for artists ever since. The area surrounding
the town is home to hikes and walks to Iron Age sites and quaint
towns (see Dorchester
Abbey).
Henley played
a large role in the English Civil War fought between the royalist supporters
of Charles
I and Oliver
Cromwell’s “Roundheads” who
envisioned the supremacy of Parliamentary power. The Thames River was
a major route for supply
and Henley was strategically placed between London and
Oxford where King Charles had retreated, until finally losing his head. 
There are many history steeped sites like the Wittenham
Clumps (the reputed oldest trees in England) and Tudor houses like
Mapledurham
and Grey’s
Court to explore. And if you want to
rest your head where Charles I did before he lost it, you can stay at
the Red
Lion Hotel,
a Henley royal quality accomodation since the 15th Century.
Located at the river’s
edge and across the shore from the Rowing Club grounds. Furnished with
antiques, the refurbished hotel has been host to three kings of England.
Find the best hotel deals in Henley-on-Thames
Henley Rowing Museum
Henley
was first established as a market town in 1150 and became a center
for the transport of goods
from river
to land, until the mid 1850’s
when Brunel opened a branch line of his Great Western Railway (see Steam
Trainspotting in Oxfordshire). For a history of the River
Thames and hand-powered boat navigation, the River
and Rowing Museum is the place
to visit for those who miss the regatta and a few yards from the houseboat
docked river were future Olympians practice their strokes. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best hotel and travel deals in Oxfordshire
Tourist
Info
Henley-On-Thames
Boat
Hire
Hobbs of Henley
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SEE ALSO:
KENSINGTON'S
SECRET ROOFTOP GARDENS
LONDON
PUB TOUR
FROM
TRAITOR'S GATE TO MORTIMER'S HOLE
THAMES
RIVER CRUISES
LONDON'S SHERLOCK HOLMES RESTAURANT
& PUB
THE
STRATFORD MAN
