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UP RIVER WITHOUT AN OAR
Rowing and Revolution and Antiques at Henley-on-Thames

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, 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. Henley is now also host to the some of the best chefs in the area in May at the Henley Food Festival (see Henley Food Festival).

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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

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Henley-On-Thames

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Hobbs of Henley

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SET YOUR WATCH ON THAMES TIME

WATSON! THE BREW IS AFOOT!
London's Sherlock Holmes Pub

THE STRATFORD MAN
Shakespeare Mystery - Did He or Didn’t He?

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