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Henley on Thames is a very pleasant, largely peaceful historic town, beautifully arranged in the Thames Valley between London and Oxford. Then, overnight it would seem, the town is transformed for the start of Regatta week in July. The place asserts itself as the world famous rowing town, with car after car, train after train delivering rowers, journalists, doting parents and day-trippers alike, all wanting to take in some of that very special atmosphere when long, warm summer’s days combine with sporting excitement and indulgence.
See more details - www.hrr.co.uk
Then, within a week or so, we see Henley with a new face and the start of the Henley Festival now in its 27th year. This is a cultural adventure to suit most tastes, ears and eyes and there is always a dazzling visual display in the evenings. Personally, I think this is worth attending year-in, year-out because each Festival is very different. There is some great cuisine on offer too, plenty of opportunities to sit and savour, see and be seen ( its quite dressy) and if the weather is to plan, your chance to let it all wash over like a mid-summer’s dream.
See more details – www.henley-festival.co.uk
And it doesn’t end there after the Festival. The town reinvents itself with a Fringe Festival, a book festival, farmer’s markets and maybe next year, a film Festival with Kevin Spacey. Clearly, this town has much to offer -not just depending on the river and a bit of rowing each year.
Reproduced by kind permission of Paul Stephens- June 2009 |
