A busy, but beautiful place to be on the River Thames

Sunday, 10 July 2011 16:39

Henley on Thames (founded in C12th) is a very popular place for boaters of all kinds and anyone who enjoys a "classic" River Thames town.

Henley on Thames - shops and church in Hart Street

Braving the sightseers, the aftermath of the Henley Regatta and the last day of the Festival we explored .....

It is difficult to know what to write about - there was so much to see - so here are some of the highlights in pictures and words. Before Marsh Lock, the hills rise up on the east side to Park Place, the Happy Valley (the bridge here, which carries the main road, was built from stones brought from the ruined Reading Abbey) and the Druid's Temple.

Marsh Lock is the lock above the town

The walkways around the lock must be unique and despite a number of rebuilds they have remained since at least 1879. It was regarded as one of the hardest locks on the river, as there was a mill either side, making the downstream approach difficult because of the outfalls.

Walkway above the lock

Some of the mill buildings remain and can be spotted below and to the west of the weir.

Weir and old mill

At Regatta time it can be a scrum getting into the lock from upstream, as boats jostle for position to get the best views once through the lock.

The (charged) moorings below the lock were almost full - a mix of boats, from narrowboats and cruisers to launches and day boats. It is a very pleasant walk along Marsh Meadows - opportunities for refreshment at the River and Rowing Museum and the Marsh Meadows café.

These are permit only moorings and are near the Hobbs Boats landing stages

At Henley Bridge, the town is to the left - the church, pubs and shops are mainly along Hart Street and other shops in Bell Street.

Henley Town Hall at the top of Hart Street, Harley Davidson strategically placed!

We visited St Mary's church and had a look in the graveyard. Henley's oldest building, The Chantry House, was built around 1500; its exact purpose is not known. The lower floor, visible from the riverside may have been used for goods storage transported to and from London and landed at the wharf there.

The Chantry House

Dusty Springfield is buried in the churchyard; we took a photo for you fans . She was only 60 when she died in 1999.

The Regatta Course is further downstream, beyond Henley Bridge. It was still set up with lots of boats moored along the course; we will be passing all this by boat soon.

Regatta Course from the bank

It was time for a cup of tea; we went into Henley Tea Rooms just above the bridge. It had just been opened by the new owners who had had a very busy two days. The Tea Rooms are closing again for a complete make over - it will become Henley's Chocolate Theatre Café. It sounds wonderful and we are going to make a point of visiting the one at Windsor. When we return up river we will be sampling the new one at Henley. Good luck Roy and Maria - see you soon we hope.

Henley Bridge

As usual, there are many more photos on our album of Henley

I wonder if the sky will be so blue when we cruise down and through all this on the river ......