We first visited beautiful Henley-on-Thames while pet sitting Norfolk Terrier Cody on the outskirts of the town, spending our days walking the public footpaths into the centre and discovering all the characterful hidden delights around every corner. We’ve since returned to Henley-on-Thames many times over the years to take riverside strolls along the Thames Path, find new brunch spots in the bustling town centre, and admire the historic architecture nestled amongst modern buildings. Here we’ll take you through everything you need to know about visiting Henley-on-Thames, including sights to see, where to eat, and where to stay:
Table of Contents
Getting here and getting around
Henley-on-Thames train station is easily reachable by London where, depending on which station you depart from, your journey could take as little as and hour and fifteen minutes! The train station in Henley is just a five minute walk from the centre, and the River Thames.
Car parking in Henley-on-Thames can be a challenge, as the town has a network of permit-only parking bays that are for residents’ use only. If you do choose to arrive by car, we recommend heading to the long stay car park at Henley-on-Thames train station where there are over 270 spaces. This is the best value car park in the area and it’s just a 5 minute walk from here into the centre of town.
Henley isn’t a large town, and it’s possible to walk from one side to the other in just over half an hour. The town is a well-connected maze of paved streets and is incredibly dog-friendly – perfect for little paws to enjoy a comfortable walk! You won’t need to use public transport once you get here, though if you prefer to rest your feet or need to transport shopping bags, the Henley Hopper bus provides three separate routes for getting around town easily. This service operates on a ‘Hail and Ride’ system, meaning passengers can flag down buses at any point and drivers will stop to pick them up where it is safe to do so.
There are many fantastic accommodation options in and around Henley-on-Thames if you’re looking to stay in the area, from grand hotels to quaint self-catering options – check out our recommendations below.
Sight-seeing and hidden gems
The Thames Path. We love to stroll along the Thames Path at Henley – there is always so much to see along the river! We’ve often paused to watch canal boats passing through the lock at Hambleden Weir, or rowers gliding down the river – a quintessential sight in Henley-on-Thames! We’ve even spotted the Royal Barge – the Gloriana – gracefully sailing along, its gold details shining in the sun. There are opulent members-only clubs to spot on the riverbanks, and unique, historic homes set above boathouses, as well as a plethora of wildlife patrolling the water’s edge including geese, swans and moorhens. If you follow the Thames Path 2.25km North from Henley, you’ll find picturesque Temple Island – the official starting point of the famous Henley Royal Regatta course. It’s well worth the walk to view this elegant ornamental folly.
The sections of the Thames Path around Henley-on-Thames are paved pathways, though the further you head out of town there are some parts over grass that can become muddy after a few rainy days. No matter the weather, it’s lovely to walk along the water and it’s the perfect place for walkies with your four-legged friends – just keep an eye out for the birds!
Henley Royal Regatta. First established in 1839, the annual regatta takes place each Summer and draws more than 300,000 people to Henley every year. With over 400 races across 6 days of elite sporting competition, the town comes alive and it is by far the busiest time of year to visit. Even if you don’t manage to visit Henley during event week, there are still hidden nods to the town’s world-famous rowing history everywhere you look. As you arrive in Henley along the Thames Path, be on the look out for a small plaque on the riverbank that marks the official finish line for the Olympic rowing events in 1908. What3Words location: ///drifters.grid.removes
Henley town centre. There are touches of royalty sprinkled throughout the town, with gold embellishments on everything from lampposts to rubbish bins! Take some time to explore the side streets and little alleyways and you’ll find rows of pastel-coloured houses on picturesque cobbled streets, each one with their own characterful name. We love to spend time admiring the sweetly-named ‘Apple Tree Cottage’ and ‘Spring Cottage’ with their plentiful hanging baskets and wisteria twisting around the front door, and stopping to snap pictures of houses with brightly-painted doors. Keep an eye out for the gold postbox on Hart Street, painted in recognition of Henley’s prestigious Leander Club, which has trained over 100 Olympic medal-winning rowers. The postbox is one of only 110 gold postboxes across the UK, which were painted in the hometowns of Olympic medal-winning athletes after the success of Team GB in the London 2012 Olympic Games. What3Words location: ///spearing.nerve.spoon
In Spring and Summer there are cherry blossom trees in full bloom throughout the town, and the main streets are absolutely bursting with flowers. Large planters next to benches provide Instagram-worthy photo spots, and baskets hanging from each lamppost are a beautiful pop of colour in the sunshine. For shopping or a bite to eat, you’ll be spoilt for choice as there are SO many shops and independent cafes to discover in the town – more on those below.
Ama of the Thames. Standing on the Red Lion Lawn next to Henley Bridge, this 2 metre bronze sculpture is one of the more unusual hidden gems tucked away in Henley-on-Thames. Depicting a mermaid with long flowing hair looking out over the River Thames, the sculpture is one of 20 in a series produced by sculptor Amaryllis Bataille, with 19 others at locations across the world including Thai Muang Beach in Thailand, Baja California in Mexico and Port Cavalaire in France. It’s a gorgeous spot to stop and admire the mermaid with the river behind, enjoying a quiet respite from the bustling traffic heading from town over Henley Bridge. What3Words location: ///employers.sporting.economies
Greys Court. If you’re looking for places to explore outside the town centre, this nearby National Trust property is just a 10 minute drive away and is one of the most gorgeous NT places we’ve ever visited! The gardens are at their most beautiful in Spring, with a stunning wisteria jungle, blooming magnolia trees, lemons as big as your fist in the greenhouses and beds of every colour hyacinth imaginable. The house itself may look familiar to Downton Abbey fans, as it featured in season three! The interior of this Tudor property is a snapshot in time, with 16th century stained glass windows, family portraits from 1959, and an elegant, classical drawing room. It’s a real stately gem – we spent quite a few hours here and highly recommend a visit!
Culham Court. The grounds at Culham Court are a fabulous place to get out of the hustle and bustle of the town. This private estate is perfect for walkies with dogs as it has a public footpath carved through it, though dogs must be kept on-lead as not only is it private land, but the Park is also home to dozens of fallow and white deer. There are many interesting sights to see as you cross the estate – the beaming white Culham Chapel, the unusual sculptures by the Grade II listed house, and the fairytale-esque roundhouse cottage nestled at the foot of a slope next to the footpath. The estate is easily accessible from Henley as the footpath through the park joins the Thames Path in the small village of Aston.
Eating
Henley-on-Thames is packed with fabulous eateries and shopping options, with something to cater for every mood. From high end bars to cosy cafes, here are a few of our favourite spots in town:
Tucked away on Duke Street, Spoon is the perfect little cafe to stop in for breakfast, coffee or brunch. Not only do Spoon serve a wide range of mouthwatering dishes, but the portions are enormous! The Spoon Full English is stacked with Cumberland sausages, roasted tomatoes, garlic buttered Portobello mushrooms, bacon, eggs and beans, with a side of sourdough toast sourced from local bakery, Lawlor’s. There’s also a build-your-own avocado toast option with a variety of toppings available, like chorizo and crispy onions or fresh Scottish smoked salmon. The counter is also full of sweet treats to accompany a hot drink, from tarts and brownies to cakes and flapjacks. An excellent choice for those in need of a delicious filling meal.
Berries Coffee on Hart Street is another independent cafe, stocking a plethora of homemade baked good and sandwiches. Their homemade cookies are especially popular, filled with flavours like Biscoff, Nutella and even Kinder Bueno! The characterful interior, with black wooden beams running along the ceiling, stocks treats from local sellers and provides a cosy rest stop at the back of the cafe. However, with the cafe so perfectly situated for people-watching being just along from Henley Bridge, on a fine weather day we recommend choosing one of the outdoor tables and enjoying the passing sights outside this historic building.
Just a few doors down you’ll find The Hart Street Tavern, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner using the finest ingredients from local producers, meaning the menu changes to work with the seasons. Think wood-fired Coppa pizza with figs and honey enjoyed al fresco in the secret garden in Summer, or a seasonally-inspired cocktail like the pumpkin spiced margarita in Autumn, sipped while sitting at the stylish oak bar. Whether you’re popping in for poached eggs and a freshly-made smoothie for breakfast or enjoying a traditional roast dinner, the staff are incredibly welcoming and there’s a dog-friendly dining area so those with four-legged friends can also enjoy the electric atmosphere and thoughtfully-curated menu.
Well-known for its buzzing atmosphere, and boasting the largest beer garden in Henley, The Bull on Bell Street is a vibrant space to enjoy an evening out. The beautifully-decorated interior caters to groups of all sizes, with cosy booths ideal for a couples’ date night, and large tables in the open air courtyard for catching up with a group of friends. Dogs are welcome in the front bar, conservatory and courtyard spaces and will likely see other furry friends there! The menu is filled with premium ingredients and special dishes, from Brakspear Ale-battered haddock to a spiced vegan burger with skin-on fries. The Bull also hosts a variety of events in their adaptable space throughout the year, bringing in a wealth of customers with their Alpine Ski lodge in Winter, or their Henley Regatta After Hours dance party to celebrate the Royal Regatta in the Summer. Don’t expect an early night if you choose to head here!
Shopping
If you’re hitting the pavements to do some retail therapy, you’ll find all the usual chain shops that are typical of an English town. Walking the main streets in Henley-on-Thames, you’ll find clothing shops like Crew Clothing, White Stuff and Mint Velvet, as well as staples like Boots and Sainsbury’s, as well as dozens of charity shops. Though what makes Henley-on-Thames so special for shopping is the independent and quirky places where you can find some real treasures.
The Henley Florist on Hart Street always has beautiful floral bouquets outside their doors, with unique, hand-picked arrangements that are perfect for brightening up your home or for a gift. Just down the road, you could get lost for hours in The Vintage Look, with 5 rooms crammed with everything from antiques, vintage items, garden ornaments, jewellery and retro memorabilia to pore over. The aptly-named Temptation Gifts on Bell Street has everything you could possibly want to gift! There’s homewares, beauty items, toys, games, decorations, cards… Definitely worth taking a look, especially around Christmas time when the shop transforms into a Winter wonderland filled with festive decor.
A few doors along, The Bell Bookshop houses over 20,000 titles, from modern best-sellers to your favourite classics that you won’t find anywhere else on the high street. The Bell Bookshop is an independent shop with a real passion for their business, and the friendly staff are always on-hand to recommend a book for every taste! If you’re after a souvenir for your stay in Henley-on-Thames, the online Henley Royal Regatta shop stocks branded clothing, accessories and homewares that will add a touch of Henley luxury to any home!
Where to stay
If you’re looking to spend more than one day exploring the town, here are our top picks for accommodation in Henley-on-Thames:
The Relais. For a suitably luxurious hotel experience in the heart of Henley-on-Thames, The Relais is situated right on Henley bridge and offers picturesque riverside views, with each room individually furnished in an English country style. Freshly made breakfast is included in your stay and the on-site restaurant is perfect for dinner after a day out in the town. Shops and cafes are just a few minutes walk from the hotel and, for those looking to explore the wider area, Henley-on-Thames train station is just a 6 minute walk away. The Relais is dog-friendly, meaning you can bring your four-legged friends along for a holiday too! Find out more and book your stay here.
The Old Coach House. If you’re in need of accommodation for a large group, look no further than The Old Coach House, sleeping up to 14 guests. It might sound cosy but think again – this stylish, characterful home features 5 spacious bedrooms as well as an open plan kitchen, dining and living space that make getting together a comfortable and easy affair. The elegant features and furnishings throughout complement the traditional, rustic architecture, and thoughtful touches make this house feel like a home from home. The Old Coach House is situated in the centre of town for easy access to all the main sights and eateries in Henley, though you may choose to stay home and order room service from The Bull pub next door! Parking is included with the property and dogs are welcome too. Find out more and book your stay here.
1400 Cottage. To experience an authentic slice of historic Henley, the 1400 Cottage is a Grade II-listed Tudor holiday home that dates back to 1400. Its wooden beams and crooked rooms are full of charm and provide guests with a cosy stay, a stone’s throw from all the boutique shops and cafes in the centre of town. There’s 2 bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, with all amenities provided – including a washing machine – so you’ll have all you need for a comfortable stay. Find out more and book your stay here.
Leander Club. Synonymous with Henley’s world-famous rowing history, the charming Leander Club hotel features 11 boutique rooms each with a rowing theme, reflecting leading universities, schools and rowing clubs that support them. Room names include Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard and Yale, with thoughtfully curated decor and colour palettes in the style of each prestigious name. The Leander Club itself is famous for producing Olympic rowing champions, with 159 Olympic and Paralympic medals won by Leander Club members since 1908. Looking out of the window from your riverside room, you might see crews in training on the water or have them row past as you take a stroll along the Thames Path. A Full English Breakfast is included with your stay, and the restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, catering to a wide range of dietary requirements. Guests can enjoy garden views and a sun terrace, and free parking is available on site for smooth arrival. Find out more and book your stay here.
Heart of Henley apartments. For a simple self-catering option with modern amenities these 2 apartments feature fresh interior decor and are situated just off the main shopping street. For those that don’t feel like cooking, all the popular cafes and restaurants are just a few minutes away. There’s the option to stay in an apartment with 1 bedroom or 2, with free parking on the surrounding streets for those arriving by car. A fabulously simple, no-fuss accommodation option for those looking to spend their Henley trip out exploring! Find out more and book your stay here.
Discover more accommodation options in Henley-on-Thames and the surrounding areas here.
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