<div style="float:right;margin:0 0 1em 1em;"> Henley<br>''Henley-on-Thames, home of the Royal Regatta''</div>

'''Henley-on-Thames''' is a town on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England. Henley is perhaps most famous as the home of the well-known international rowing tournament, the '''Henley Royal Regatta''' [http://www.hrr.co.uk/ ], held each year in late June and early July.

(NB: Henley-on-Thames should not be confused with Henley-in-Arden).

Get in

By Train

Henley is the terminus of a railway branch line that joins the main Reading to London line at Twyford; however most branch line trains continue on to Reading. There are also direct services to London Paddington at peak times taking about 45 minutes. Train times can be found on the [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/planmyjourney/ National Rail Planner] or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK.

By Car

Henley-on-Thames is served by the M4 motorway which runs from London to South Wales. It is about 35 miles/40 minutes from Central London. The best junction to use is 8/9. Being close to the M4 this makes places like Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, High Wycombe and Basingstoke all within easy reach.

By Plane

Henley-on-Thames is well served by Southern England's collection of airports and actually under the flight-path of Heathrow. For travellers coming directly to Henley-on-Thames, the most convenient (in reducing order of convenience) are:

  • [http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow/ '''Heathrow Airport'''] is about 20 miles/25 minutes drive straight down the M4 (westbound) motorway. Alternatively it is linked directly to Reading rail station by the RailAir express bus service running every 20 minutes or so and taking about 1 hour. Indirectly, by the Heathrow Connect train service (change at Hayes) take about 55 minutes.
  • [http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/southampton/ '''Southampton Airport'''] is about 45 miles/50 minutes drive away down the M3 motorway. Alternitivly there is a sevice from Reading direct to Southampton Airport taking about an hour.
  • [http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/gatwick/ '''Gatwick Airport'''] is about 55 miles/60 minute drive away via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. There is a through train service to Reading from a rail station in the airport terminal complex, running twice an hour and taking a hour.
  • [http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/'''Luton Airport'''] is about 60 miles/70 minutes drive away via the M1 (southbound), M25 (westbound) and M4 (westbound) motorways. Luton Airport Parkway connects the airport to Kings Cross station every 35 minutes, the tube to London Paddington station.
  • [http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/stansted/ '''Stansted Airport''']is about 75 miles/90 minutes drive away via the M11 (southbound), M25 (anti-clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. By train you will need to catch a Stanstead Express train to London Liverpool Street station, the tube to London Paddington station.
  • By Bus

    Hurley Link 239 provides a service from Hart street to Frascati way, Maidenhead.

    Arriva 800/850 stops at various points in the town from Reading to High Wycombe.

    By Boat

    Henley-on-Thames has numberous boat trips along the River Thames to the nearby towns of Reading and Windsor.

    Get around

    All locations in and around the town are walkable or drivable. During the Regatta, the Thames is teeming with classical launches, which are available for booking well in advance of events.

    See

  • '''The River and Rowing Museum''' [http://www.rrm.co.uk/], ''Mill Meadows (5 mins walk from town center and rail station), tel 415600, open daily 10am-5pm. Admission __2-3'' - an excellent museum which charts the history of both the River Thames and rowing as a sport. The museum also houses an exhibition on "The Wind In The Willows", which is popular with children aged 5 and above - additional charges apply. The museum has a superior cafe, with seating outside in fine weather.
  • Do

  • '''Henley Royal Regatta''' [http://www.hrr.co.uk/] - held every summer since 1839 (except during the two world wars), the Royal Regatta is a unique five-day tournament of international rowing that draws top competitors and spectators from around the world.
  • the '''Henley Festival of Music and Arts''' [http://www.henley-festival.co.uk/] - in the weeks following the Royal Regatta, Henley plays host to a growing music and arts festival, the calibre of the acts increasing in range and importance every year.
  • Buy

    Thee town centre is a fairly typical one with most of your high street favourites.

    Eat

    Hart Street and Market Place, which run inland from the river at Henley Bridge are lined with restaurants, cafes and pubs.

  • '''Catherine Wheel''', Hart Street, tel 845790. One of Henley's old coaching inns, this pub now does food and drink at very reasonable prices. __7-10.
  • '''Pizza Express''' [http://www.pizzaexpress.co.uk/rest/rd186.htm], Market Place, tel 411448. Serves good pizzas in a building dating back to 1408. Open M-Su 11:30am-midnight. __7-15.
  • '''Green Olive''', Market Place, tel 412220. A locally owned Greek bar and restaurant which has a lively atmosphere and does good-value meze. __10-20.
  • '''Loch Fyne''' [http://www.loch-fyne.com], Market Place, tel 845780. This restaurant provides excellent (and apparently eco-friendly) seafood in an attractive environment with a separate oyster bar and (for summer) tables in the market place itself. Open M?Su 9am-10pm. __10-25.
  • '''Antico''', Gravel Hill. Authentic locally owned italian restaurant offering two courses for around __20, with friendly service and great food in a cosy and quirky buidling. Garden offers summer dining under the vines the woners use to make wine, and a private dining room upstairs can seat 17 people. Three courses with wine around __35 a head.
  • Drink

    '''Angel on the Bridge''', Thameside, Henley-on-Thames, Tel: 410678

    The Angel has a waterside location that is hard to beat, with benches and tables alongside the Thames just by the bridge. While the drinks are fine, the restaurant has less to recommend it.

    '''The Three Horseshoes''', Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Tel: 573971

    The Three Horseshoes is a nice old fashioned English Pub

    Sleep

  • the '''Catherine Wheel''', Hart Street, tel 848484. The Catherine Wheel (see above) also provides Lodge style rooms. __59 (per room).
  • the '''Imperial Hotel''' [http://www.imperialhotelhenley.com/], Station Road, tel 578678. Located in an Edwardian building near the rail station and about five minutes walk from the center of Henley, this hotel has been restored and refurbished to 3 star standard over the past few years, sympathetically keeping its many original features to ensure it retains its unique character. The rooms are small but all are en-suite. __60-__85 (standard single room); __90-__110 (standard double room); __85-__120 (executive single room); __100-__130 (executive double room); all rates include breakfast.
  • the '''Red Lion Hotel''' [http://www.redlionhenley.co.uk/], Hart Street, tel 572161. Located next to the river at the foot of Hart Street, and dating back to the fifteenth century, three kings of England have stayed at this prestigous hotel. The hotels age notwithstanding, all bedrooms benefit from en-suite bathrooms, with many rooms overlooking the river Thames and the views beyond. __110 (single room); __130 (double/twin room); __165 (four poster room); all rates include breakfast.
  • Contact

    Phone

    Henley's area code is 01491 when dialed from within the UK or +441491 from outside the UK.

    Internet

    There is an Internet Cafe at 2 Friday Street (01491 637888)

    Stay safe

    Henley-on-thames has its fair share of crime and antisocial behaviour at night but no need for much caution.

    Get out

    There are nice walks for people looking for challenging walks to places like Reading, Maidenhead and Windsor and are along the River Thames and there are many lighter walks for people just looking for a short pleasant walk.