Focus On Henley

Picturesque, historic, usually tranquil and rather special is how most proud locals describe Henley- on- Thames. Visitors love it for the "quaint, olde worlde” look and feel, the magnificent old bridge and long beautiful, river walks beyond the town. It has a high standard of local restaurants, some excellent Brakespeare's pubs and a scattering of very pleasant, useful, old fashioned even but no harm in that, shops and small businesses.

At first glance, the town has the feel and look of a rather special sleepy Thames side village from the writings of a PG Wooster. But that is more than a bit misleading The town explodes with visitors during Regatta and Festival weeks in July (more details) and a variety of recently introduced or planned festivals, poetry meetings, an 80's revival concert, farmers markets etc to keep it firmly on the map.

People want to live here, visit for the day or a long week-end and are justifiably proud of much of what is on offer here. One hears of the odd occasion when a few too many, enjoy a few too many -but I’ve not seen or heard it and would not deter anyone from a most enjoyable visit, whatever the weather. But there can be considerable traffic congestion which is a problem associated with any well established town endowed with an historic bridge, funnelling the traffic through a small river crossing. Just add a few minutes longer on the journey time.