An Easy Day’s Escape: Henley

While London is intoxicating, captivating and addictive, one does just occasionally need to take a deep breath and explore what is beyond.  I encourage you to leave your Oyster card to one side and take the short journey to Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Henley is best known for the world renowned regatta that it plays host to annually each July. Henley is a beautiful riverside market town on the Thames, about an hour’s drive from London.

Waking to a lovely sunny morning last Saturday my husband and I decided to hijack our teenage children (leaving behind almost all electronic devices) for a lovely outing in the ‘countryside.’ After a brief journey along the M4 we arrived in Henley and headed for the river.  There is a well laid out path following the Thames which you can take in either direction from the centre of town. If the lovely scenery dotted with picturesque houses is not exciting enough for those of you with teens there is always a chance that the handsome crew teams training on the Thames will grab their attention. With the Regatta only weeks away we were able to hear the assertive voices of coxes willing on their fellow rowers.  There are also several play grounds along the way to help keep younger children occupied.

After a leisurely stroll we were ready for some refuelling.  There are a several choices with the pub, Angel on the Bridge, sitting on the river’s bank always a popular with locals and visitors alike.  This time we opted for a quieter retreat, Hotel du Vin Bistro. We enjoyed our lunch in the hotel’s quiet outdoor courtyard only moments from the bustle of the town centre.  Following lunch we walked through town and took in some of the local shopping.  If one aspires to the nautical look there are several shops to help kit you out. 

By this point we decided the city was calling us back, mostly due to social commitments of the younger generation.  Having only spent a few hours I felt refreshed and ready to return to London. Of course there is much more to explore if one wishes, but it is nice to know that Henley is so close that one can easily return and explore more on another visit. 

In a few weeks Henley will come to life welcoming thousands of crew teams from around the world and spectators who assemble for this highlight of the sporting and social calendar.  From 3^rd -7^th July thousands of visitors will come to watch over 200 races.  Even without tickets to the enclosures this is a great time to visit Henley, just be prepared for crowds. For more information on Henley and the 2013 Regatta visit: Henley Regatta 2013.

 

Written by: Nancy Dickinson

For further information: www.focus-info.org