Why visit Henley On Thames?
Activities on the River Thames
With a fabulous location next to the River Thames, it should be no surprise that Henley On Thames has a lively riverside. How you make the most of that is up to you – there are picnic spots like the Marsh Meadows and Mill Meadows but there’s also plenty of scope for getting out on the water too, whether it’s hiring a rowing boat or being a skipper for a day in a self-drive motorboat.
Scenic walks
Countryside or coast might be the first things you think of when it comes to walking. However, Henley On Thames is an excellent spot for a good-quality ramble, whether it’s hiking along the 185-mile Thames Path (or at least part of it) or taking a loop into the Chiltern Hills and back. Henley On Thames is part of the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ scheme, and has routes including circular walks to Hambleden Lock and Aston, as well as a historical town trail.
A National Trust gem
If Henley On Thames’ Victorian architecture has given you a taste for historical attractions, pay a trip to the National Trust’s Greys Court – it's only a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute cycle from Henley On Thames. Hailing from the Tudor times, the property has a 16th-century manor house, a grass maze, a 12th-century tower and a mill wheel powered by donkeys. In between these historic features you can relax in the rose garden.
Essential things to do in Henley On Thames
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Get to know the Thames and its rowing history at the River & Rowing Museum in Mill Meadows, which has three galleries dedicate to the town’s beloved sport
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Rifle through Henley On Thames’ varied selection of shops, which sell products like antiques, spices, records and rare books
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Visit the Old Fire Station Gallery, a former fire station transformed into a venue for local art exhibitions
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Trace the competition course of the Henley Royal Regatta on a barge cruise
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Cycle or hike into the Chiltern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that begins from the outskirts of the town
Unexplored Henley On Thames
Follow the town’s Ale Trail
Take in the town’s traditional pubs by following Henley On Thames’ Ale Trail, which tours 10 different pubs. At the end, successful punters get a free pint of Brakspear Bitter and a t-shirt in the Three Horseshoes or the Saracen’s Head.
Catch a live concert
Mill Meadow isn’t just a pleasant picnic spot – this stretch between Henley Bridge and the finishing point of the Henley Royal Regatta has a bandstand where live concerts often take place.
Try Mr Hobbs Gin
Whether you’re having a meal in a traditional pub or in a bar alongside the river, keep your eyes peeled for Mr Hobbs Gin. This staple drink was founded in 1870 by town resident Mr Harry Hobbs, and the artisan speciality uses local botanicals.
Here’s how:
With a full set of activities ready for your itinerary, all that’s left is an outdoorsy stay to complete your plans in Henley on Thames. An outdoor stay is a great way to make the most of the open air – after a day of hiking or rowing along the River Thames, you can chill out by a firepit or stretch out and look up at the stars.
Those who'd like to have their dog by their side as they walk the Thames Path and other town trails will want to browse the many different dog-friendly campsites available on Pitchup.com, while those with kids in tow can flick through family-friendly campsites.
The tick-box filters will help you find the features that matter to you on a holiday – perhaps a campsite with electricity or somewhere with a play area for the kids.
If camping isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other accommodation options on Pitchup.com:
Henley On Thames not for you? There are plenty of other great Oxfordshire locations with campsites on Pitchup, such as Bicester or Chipping Norton.
